For a while I've been looking for a pneumatic drill that is of good quality but won't break the bank. It was the answer. For an air drill, it's not as noisy as some of the cheaper ones. As expected, a decent amount of air is required. My biggest complaint is that it's not very strong. This is fine with 1/2 inch bits or less. He could use a little more strength. That makes it safe. It's unlikely he'll try to break your arm while drilling.