DeWalt 3/8 in Pneumatic Reversible Drill

Why I reached for this 3/8-in air drill

I spend a lot of time bouncing between sheet metal, plastics, and light fabrication, and there are days when a pneumatic drill is simply the right tool: compact, cool-running, and happy to work all day. This 3/8-in air drill from DeWalt has been in my rotation for several weeks, drilling pilot holes in brackets, opening up existing holes with a step bit, and occasionally countersinking fasteners in aluminum. It’s a straightforward tool—no gimmicks—built around the basics that matter: speed control, a solid chuck, and reliable reversing.

Setup and air requirements

Like most shop-grade air drills, it’s designed around 90 psi and calls for about 3.6 CFM at that pressure. In practical terms, it pairs best with a compressor that’s rated to at least 4–5 SCFM at 90 psi if you want sustained, interruption-free drilling. I used it on a 20-gallon, 5.0 SCFM unit and never had to wait. On a small pancake compressor, it will run, but you’ll notice cycling and pressure sag during longer runs or large bit work.

The tool uses a 1/4-in NPT air inlet and is happy on a 1/4-in hose. I kept a few drops of air tool oil in the inlet before each session and ran it through an inline filter/regulator. If you want to forget about oiling for a week at a time, an inline oiler makes sense; otherwise, the quick daily oiling habit keeps it smooth and extends seal life.

Build, balance, and ergonomics

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt’s air line: clean castings, no loose panels, and a rubber overmold on the pistol grip that actually adds traction without feeling gummy. The tool feels midweight—listed at 2.6 lb by the manufacturer, though some catalogs list 3.3 lb—and in hand it balances well with most of the mass over the wrist rather than pulling at the nose. That makes it easier to hold perpendicular to the work when you’re above shoulder height.

Exhaust exits at the handle. In use, that means chips don’t get blown back into the hole, and you don’t blast coolant or dust across your line. The tradeoff with handle exhaust is the typical pneumatic chill in colder shops; the rubber grip does a decent job insulating your hand, but you’ll feel the temperature drop on longer runs.

Noise is typical for a compact air drill—sharper and higher-pitched than a cordless drill, but not obnoxious. Good hearing protection remains a must.

Controls you can trust (with one caveat)

The variable-speed trigger is easy to modulate. It’s predictable at very low RPM, which matters when you’re starting a face on a slick surface or trying to avoid walking a bit. Free speed is rated at up to 2,100 RPM at 90 psi, and in practice that translates to brisk drilling with small to medium bits and step bits through sheet metal.

Reversing is the headline convenience here: you can flick direction with one hand without shifting your grip. It makes backing out chips or running a spiral extractor much easier. However, the reversing paddles are present on both sides of the head, and they protrude enough that I occasionally brushed them in tight confines. It didn’t cause accidental direction changes for me, but I did have to adjust my hand position around the head in cramped spots. A single-side paddle or slightly lower-profile levers would reduce that interference.

The “pro” keyless chuck is metal and tightens smoothly. It’s a good match for a pneumatic drill—fast bit swaps and no key to misplace. Under heavier loads (large step bit, mild-steel chassis work) you still need to snug it firmly. I didn’t experience chuck slip, but I tightened with intent. As with any keyless chuck on an air drill, it’s not the right interface for large hole saws or aggressive spade bits.

Performance across common materials

• Sheet metal and aluminum extrusions: This is where the drill shines. With 1/8-in and 3/16-in cobalt bits, I was able to keep the trigger in the midrange, maintain clean feed, and pop consistent holes without burning the edges. The speed keeps chips small and manageable, and reversing to break a chip is effortless.

• Plastics and composites: The fine trigger control makes it easy to avoid melting or cracking edges. I feathered the start at low RPM, then moved to a steady mid-speed to clear chips. The exhaust location helped keep the workpiece clean.

• Wood: It’s perfectly serviceable for light-duty woodworking, jigs, and bracketry. With brad-point bits in plywood, hole quality was good. For larger holes or where torque is king, I still prefer a corded or high-torque cordless drill.

• Step bits and deburring: No complaints. At 2,100 free RPM, you can move quickly through thin stock. The tool recovers speed quickly between steps, and reversing to break edges is convenient.

As with any pneumatic drill in this speed class, if you push a big bit into thick steel and lean on it, it will stall before a corded 8-amp drill would. That’s expected. Its wheelhouse is medium-size bits and repetitive drilling where weight and duty cycle matter more than brute torque.

Air consumption, heat, and duty cycle

One of the pleasures of pneumatics is that the motor doesn’t heat up in your hand like a compact cordless drill can during long sessions. Over multiple bracket installs, the body remained comfortable, and performance was consistent—no electronic thermal throttling, no battery sag. Air consumption is reasonable for the output; you’ll appreciate a compressor with a healthy duty cycle if you’re in production work.

Durability and service

Over my test period, there were no surprises: no leaks, no trigger stickiness, and no chuck wobble. The tool feels like it will handle shop life—occasional drops, hose mishaps, and all. The warranty package is above average for a pneumatic: a 90-day money-back guarantee, one year of free service, and a three-year limited warranty. For a tool with moving air motor components and a chuck that sees daily use, that’s reassuring.

As always, longevity on an air drill comes down to clean, dry air and oiling. A quick drain of your compressor and a few drops of oil at the start of the day go farther than any spec sheet.

What it does well—and where it’s not the best fit

Strengths:
- Excellent trigger modulation and controllable RPM for clean starts
- One-hand reversing that actually speeds up repetitive tasks
- Solid metal keyless chuck that holds its bite
- Manageable weight and good balance for overhead or awkward angles
- Handle exhaust that keeps chips off the line of sight
- Sensible air requirements for shop compressors

Tradeoffs:
- Dual-side reversing levers can feel crowded around the head in tight spots
- Not the right tool for high-torque, large-diameter drilling in thick steel
- Requires a compressor with real CFM; small DIY compressors will cycle often
- Handle exhaust can chill your hand in cold environments

Who will appreciate this drill

If you work around vehicles, fixtures, cabinets, or light fabrication where you’re drilling lots of small- to medium-size holes, this drill is a smart addition. It’s also great as a secondary drill in a shop that already runs air tools—always ready, no batteries to manage, and happily running all day. For a homeowner without a compressor, or for heavy structural steel work with large diameters, there are better fits in the corded or high-torque cordless categories.

Practical tips from the bench

• Use a 1/4-in high-flow coupler if you want snappier recovery at mid to high RPM.
• Keep a small oiler bottle next to your regulator; two to three drops before you start is enough.
• For metal, pair it with sharp cobalt bits and a dab of cutting fluid; you’ll feel the difference in feed and finish.
• Snug the keyless chuck with both hands for high-load operations like step bits in steel.
• If you’re frequently in tight spots, practice your grip around the head to avoid brushing the reversing paddles.

Recommendation

I recommend this 3/8-in air drill for anyone with a capable compressor who needs a reliable, everyday pneumatic drill for light to medium-duty work. It’s fast, controllable, and comfortable over long sessions, with a chuck and reversing system that make real differences in daily use. The only notable ergonomic quirk is the dual-side reversing levers, which can crowd your fingers in confined areas. If that layout suits your grip—or your work rarely forces you into tight corners—you’ll find this to be a durable, no-nonsense drill that earns its spot on the hose.