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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: phil c on Nov 15, 2019, 09:59 AM
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Yes this topic has been beaten nearly to death, but what are your recommendations? 18,20, 24 volt? 2ah? 4ah? Hammer? no hammer? Clam plate? simple adapter bolt?
My old gas auger is about done, and I think its time to go electric.
Sling some ice chips or mud my way, what do I need?
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(1) auger that can attach to drill.
(2) cordless drill with enough torque and battery life to cut all the holes you will need in a day.
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You don't run in hammer mode. Lot of the high torque drills have the hammer option
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Yes this topic has been beaten nearly to death, but what are your recommendations? 18,20, 24 volt? 2ah? 4ah? Hammer? no hammer? Clam plate? simple adapter bolt?
My old gas auger is about done, and I think its time to go electric.
Sling some ice chips or mud my way, what do I need?
The most common setup is the Milwaukee 18v Fuel, I also see a lot of DeWalt 20v drills out on the ice and have buddies with both setups. Any high quality brushless drill will do ok, what you have to look for are battery capacities. If you drill a lot of holes you're going to want multiple higher amp/hour batteries and a way to keep them warm; if you're not a hole hopper then a single lower capcity battery will probably do you fine.
Regarding the Clam plate, it's more of a personal preference thing. If you're a full grown adult male with an above average grip, the drill's handle will be fine, just make sure you hang on.
My personal recommendation, if you drill a lot of holes get a dedicated electric auger like the SM or Ion. They're faster, and the batteries are much higher capacity. The most holes I've drilled on one battery with my 40v SM is 89 holes through 23" of ice. It was not long after I got the auger and I kept track just to see what it'd do and the battery still had two bars left. I got the auger when they had the free battery special going on, but to be honest I've never needed two. I could see it being nice if you were going to be away from an outlet for a few days, though.
I'd also recommend staying away from K-Drills. They were a fad when drilling first got popular, but there are tons of better options out there now. K-Drills use chipper blades and they're super slow (maybe that doesn't concern you), Eskimo, Clam, and StrikeMaster all have lightweight auger flighting out now that have shaver blades. These cut faster and in my experience are easier on battery life. Don't let anyone try to tell you you need chipper blades to reopen holes, that's a bunch of crap. Most power augers now have pilot points which make chipper blades obsolete in my opinion.
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If you want a better answer tailored to the way you fish, you need to give some more information.
Do you have any other cordless tools you could expand upon?
Do you run and gun and cut a lot of holes, or can you get by with cutting 20 or so holes in a trip?
What's your budget?
If you get bored waiting for replies, you can go back a few days and read the last post on this subject, then read the one from a few days before that, and so on.
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Most auger manufacturers recommend drills.. 18 volt brushless 750 in/lbs or better torque..4ah batteries or better ...as for the Clam Plate ..it offers stability ..gets drill off the ice when not in use .. Milwaukee 2803/2804..DeWalt 991/996 are the most popular brands/models .
A center point on the auger drill unit is most helpful..prevents skipping on glare ice etc...there are 3 blade types Chipper (K-Drill) Lazer(SM Lite Flight and various others ) and Mora style blade .
My only advice is follow the above recommendations ..if you get an under torqued drill and/or underpowered batterys..your set up may be an epic fail and perform poorly ..lots of great information on this site on drills and auger dril unit set ups ..research set a budget and go big or go home .
Good video on the blade types and speed .
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milwaukee fuel, clam plate, and mora. I use 5ah batteries, I usually only use 1 per outing but carry a spare. Oh and I have an extension for the auger. That set up I would recommend to anyone. I like the clamplate for comfort when drilling but I really like that it keeps the drill up off the ice and snow when you lay it down.The extra battery, I use the milwuakee adapter to charge my phone when on the ice because my phone battery dies quick in the cold at this point.
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You can't beat this outfit in 6" or 8" powered by a Milwaukee 18 volt 2804 (bare tool-$90 on eBay) And a bigger battery. You can use the drill in the off season at home and in the garage. No need for a dedicated electric auger unless you're going to swiss cheese the lake! Milwaukee offers a 12 amp battery that will run you all day plus!!! :icefish:
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/e-drill-nylon-hand-auger-kit?a=2214885
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You can't beat this outfit in 6" or 8" powered by a Milwaukee 18 volt 2804 (bare tool-$90 on eBay) And a bigger battery. You can use the drill in the off season at home and in the garage. No need for a dedicated electric auger unless you're going to swiss cheese the lake! Milwaukee offers a 12 amp battery that will run you all day plus!!! :icefish:
Ditto...Ditto
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Either the Milwaukee or the Ridgid Octane IMO. I run the Ridgid and haven't had any issues what-so-ever, but some guys last year were complaining of cut outs.
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I also have the Rigid Octane, and it has a lifetime replacement warranty on the drill AND battery.
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Lots of great advice so far! One poster asked about how I fish, so... I fish mostly river backwaters and small lakes. on average Im out for a half day, and usually do several spots. last year when my gas auger started crapping out my hole count really dropped. I have neck and shoulder issues. so I would fish more time than needed on unproductive spots.
Whatever drill I end up with this year it will probably be connected to my 6 in Mora. I would really like to get back to hole hopping to find the best water!
My current drill ( general use) is a 1/2 in Kobalt 24 volt with a 2ah battery
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I like my K-drill, it gets a lot of flack on here but it works great for me. I don't drill a ton of holes so a 5ah battery on my M18 drill will easily last all weekend. Easily 50 holes through 2 feet of ice, probably more. Not the fastest but I can likely drill through my hardwood floor, the subfloor and even hit a floor joist or two with nails and still go drill ice later that day no problem. The shaver drills are definitely faster and yes, better on battery but I don't care. I don't miss a lot of fish in that 1.3 seconds a shaver blade might save me. One big thing I like about the K-drill is being able to drill overlapping holes. I like a 6" hole in the flip for the camera and sonar, but with tip ups outside I drill a triangle of overlapping holes and make myself a 12" opening. Same for cusk traps. I don't think that is possible with a shaver blade but I might be wrong because I don't pay attention to the auger wars on here.
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My current drill ( general use) is a 1/2 in Kobalt 24 volt with a 2ah battery
I see that drill is rated at 650 in/lbs and with a 2ah battery you're going to struggle pretty bad. I see you can buy a 4ah battery for $50, but iat that torque level it's gonna be a chore and damn hard on the drill.
I'd pony up for the Milwaukee or DeWalt.
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One big thing I like about the K-drill is being able to drill overlapping holes....I don't think that is possible with a shaver blade but I might be wrong because I don't pay attention to the auger wars on here.
Most all of the shaver blades today have pilot points so you can definitely drill overlapping holes.
I don't hate the K-Drill, when it came out it was a good idea that no one really had on a big scale like that. But they've let everyone else catch up without innovating and I'd guess you'll see them fade away in the next few years.
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Found this on another site, seems it has more power than the Milwaukee for the same price. https://www.protoolreviews.com/trades/concrete/dewalt-cordless-drill-mixer-dcd130-review/44500/ (https://www.protoolreviews.com/trades/concrete/dewalt-cordless-drill-mixer-dcd130-review/44500/)
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Ahhhh the drill season is back.
I'm not gonna pick sides brands or colors as it just makes people angry, very angry kind of like which is better Ford, Chevy or etc.
At the very top of the list what I would look at is the warranty of the tool and battery! Read it very carefully and understand it.
With the current "brushless" motor technology most company's have gone to the serviceability of the tool has all but gone away.
For the most part if anything goes wrong with the electronics (which is the motor switch etc.) the electronic assembly has to be bought as a unit and is very expensive!
On most (with a few exceptions) if the switch goes south a very expensive electronic unit will be necessary.
In the majority of cases the electronics unit is more than a bare tool.
Warranties vary from 1 year to lifetime, and as I said earlier please read the warranty carefully as some are not what they appear.
And just in case make friends with your "local" tool repair man as he may become your best friend!
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Ford is obviously MUCH better.
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Lots of great advice so far! One poster asked about how I fish, so... I fish mostly river backwaters and small lakes. on average Im out for a half day, and usually do several spots. last year when my gas auger started crapping out my hole count really dropped. I have neck and shoulder issues. so I would fish more time than needed on unproductive spots.
Whatever drill I end up with this year it will probably be connected to my 6 in Mora. I would really like to get back to hole hopping to find the best water!
My current drill ( general use) is a 1/2 in Kobalt 24 volt with a 2ah battery
Docent look like your current drill and batteries will get you into the cordless drill/auger game ..your 6" Mora will be fine for a cordless set up ..I would recommend the Clam Plate and the Clam Plate auger extension based on your shoulder/neck issues regardless of which drill you choose.
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I also run the Kobalt 24v 1/2inch drill
I run a nils 8 inch, and ive use the nils 6 inch
Ive had the drill for 3 years now and i can say that it has been up for the challenge
I would say that battery life is not great with the 2 amp batteries so im gonna jump up to the 4 or 6 this year
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I also run the Kobalt 24v 1/2inch drill
I run a nils 8 inch, and ive use the nils 6 inch
Ive had the drill for 3 years now and i can say that it has been up for the challenge
I would say that battery life is not great with the 2 amp batteries so im gonna jump up to the 4 or 6 this year
Lets say 18 inch ice, with 8 in bit. how many holes you get on a 2ah battery and faster or slower than a hand auger?
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I have rigid octane too. Clam plate and 8 inch lazer. Love it! Gotta slow that puppy down when getting close to going thru (I assume any of the high torque drills) you will get wet. Lol
I had it cut out few times. It doesn't bug me , only did when just starting, never cut out while drilling.
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Holes on a two amp at 18 inch?
Depends how cold too.
And auger style.
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Lets say 18 inch ice, with 8 in bit. how many holes you get on a 2ah battery and faster or slower than a hand auger?
Docent look like your current drill and batteries will get you into the cordless drill/auger game ..your 6" Mora will be fine for a cordless set up ..I would recommend the Clam Plate and the Clam Plate auger extension based on your shoulder/neck issues regardless of which drill you choose.
Thats alot of ice for a 2ah battery plus an 8 inch auger.
gonna have to up them AH or you will be very disappointed .
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I wouldn't think the kdrill is going any place.
Just look at flashers. Not much has changed with them. Still the same basic thing. It shows bottom, fish and lures and people catch fish.
The kdrill still drills holes. 😁
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I wouldn't think the kdrill is going any place.
Just look at flashers. Not much has changed with them. Still the same basic thing. It shows bottom, fish and lures and people catch fish.
The kdrill still drills holes. 😁
It isn't, took everyone else 6+ years to catch up, until someone makes a similar/better chipper they don't need to change a thing.
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re batt size---I have two 2A-Hr batts. I got 10-15 holes thru about 2 ft of ice last winter. That's plenty for me.(6" Mora)
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3ah Dewalt 20vmax
6 in k drill
12 inches of ice
20 holes
20 degrees
Still two lights on battery
..........
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I think this is getting over thunk lol
Kiss
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changing the topic a bit, do you all have any safety devices for preventing the bit from falling through the hole? I know the Eskimo has that plate and the k-drill has that foam flotation thingy. Looking for ideas, thanks!
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kovac ice master 2.
http://icemasteradapter.com/
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with 18 in of ice and the battery fully charged, in about 25 degree weather, i was able to do 16 holes until the battery was dead
i will say if the batteries get cold it will drop the performance.
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Keep in mind that when drilling an 8 hole, you are removing twice as much ice than if you were to drill a 6 hole. So, for those getting 10-15 holes with a 6 auger can drop right down to 5-6 holes with an 8 auger. Same goes for the other direction. If youre getting 20 holes with an 8 auger (and want longer battery life/more holes) switching to a 6 auger will double that to 40 holes.
Regardless of auger size, Id recommend at least a 4/5ah battery (depending on the brand). Any less will just leave you wanting more.
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I'd also recommend staying away from K-Drills. They were a fad when drilling first got popular, but there are tons of better options out there now. K-Drills use chipper blades and they're super slow (maybe that doesn't concern you), Eskimo, Clam, and StrikeMaster all have lightweight auger flighting out now that have shaver blades. These cut faster and in my experience are easier on battery life. Don't let anyone try to tell you you need chipper blades to reopen holes, that's a bunch of crap. Most power augers now have pilot points which make chipper blades obsolete in my opinion.
K-DRILL has been awesome on my fuel..Not sure what there is to not like?? Lightweight and burns through the ice.. using side by side with the NILS and there is very little difference. I actually own one and actually use it...
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changing the topic a bit, do you all have any safety devices for preventing the bit from falling through the hole? I know the Eskimo has that plate and the k-drill has that foam flotation thingy. Looking for ideas, thanks!
My first one was a piece of wood about a foot long with a loose fitting U-bolt(so that the wood would not spin). My second one was a fairly thin sheet of Al. Now I have the Clam plate so I don't need any
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Keep in mind that when drilling an 8 hole, you are removing twice as much ice than if you were to drill a 6 hole. So, for those getting 10-15 holes with a 6 auger can drop right down to 5-6 holes with an 8 auger. Same goes for the other direction. If youre getting 20 holes with an 8 auger (and want longer battery life/more holes) switching to a 6 auger will double that to 40 holes.
Regardless of auger size, Id recommend at least a 4/5ah battery (depending on the brand). Any less will just leave you wanting more.
I have a 8" Mora on a clam plate and would still consider a K-Drill a solid option. I can't drill overlapping holes for Lakers and shavers aren't going to stay sharp as long in dirty ice.
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I started the same thread on the Michigan Ice fishing forum. I received some very good information. I settled on the Milwaukee fuel hammer/drill 18v.. I actually purchased a kit. It came with the drill, 3 5.0ah lithium batteries, charger, side handle and hard case. I got it from CPO tools for $216 and tax. I purchased this drill because it has 1200in. of torque and is suppose to be top of the line? We'll see! Then I purchased a Strikemaster dual adapter ($19), that can be used on either a handheld or power drill. I have a Jiffy pro 4 with both a 5in. and 10 in. augers. The adapter wouldn't work on the jiffy augers so I had to take the adapter to a machinist ($20) and have the middles collar turned down so that the adapter would go down into the auger further, in order to line up the holes for the pin. I also purchased a strikemaster auger saver disk for ($7). Soooo, I have about $265 into the whole system. Hopefully this helps and good luck with whatever you decide to buy.
Hi! I got the exact same setup! No ice yet so have yet to test, but i've been hearing reports of the 18M Fuel having overheating issues and a finicky trigger. You have any of those issues?