Power drill: air or electric?

I need a power drill for the shop that will out-work the cordless drills we keep around. I want something that can really power through some heavy material (for example, thick walnut and oak, or thick metal.) I just got my shop air up and running and am tempted by air drills. Does anyone use them? How do they compare to a good quality electric drill? I'll appreciate any advice or experience you can relate.

Thanks,
Darren

We also have a small, pneumatic drill pistol. It's had a 3/8" bit in it for as long as I can remember. It's great for punching holes quickly, and often gets used to make pilot holes. I don't care for it in really hard materials. It spins so fast that the bits heat up quickly. Also, if it snags it can wrench out of your grip easily. Getting it going again after a snag can be troublesome -- it won't torque its way out of a stall (a larger drill might not have that problem). In light to medium cutting, it'll smoke our electric drills (literally sometimes).

If I had to choose just one or the other, it'd be the electric.

Sioux, for one, manufactures 1/2 chuck air drills with a free speed of 700 RPM, these are slow turning drills.

You really are probably better off with an electric drill though.

Charles

Get a 1/2" Milwaukee magnum. It has enough torque to break a 3/4" bit going thru steel but about the same body size as a normal 3/8 motor.

I never used a air drill that was worth a dip.

T_Bone

I use a high-end 1/2" electric drill for most heavy work except concrete. Then I drag out the rotary hammer and the carbide SDS bits. Goes through concrete like your finger through warm butter. You can use them on heavy metal too but get yourself a decent set of earmuffs!