An air drill can be fitted with a variety of attachments for drilling holes, grinding, polishing, and cleaning parts.

Air drills have the major advantage for automotive use that, unlike an electric drill, they don't run the risk of producing sparks and thereby igniting flammable liquids or gasoline tanks. They also have no electric cable thath could be accidentally cut, causing shock, nor do they get hot with heavy use. Some air drills have a reversible action.