Clam Ice Auger/Cordless Drill Review

[rdhammah]

Question....when drilling on the slow speed, do you guys pull the trigger all the way to maximize the drill speed or do like 1/2 way?

[kc_]

Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it!! The only problem is I only have (1) 4 am/hr batter and would likely need around 3 for all the holes I drill each outing.  The 790 is a brushless drill, however you still would suggest moving up to the 900 series?

Use what you have. If you burn it up ( I doubt it), you can go on fleabay and just get a drill without batteries cheap.

[Monticatgeek]

Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it!! The only problem is I only have (1) 4 am/hr batter and would likely need around 3 for all the holes I drill each outing.  The 790 is a brushless drill, however you still would suggest moving up to the 900 series?

all I can say is try it once and see how it works for you. if it doesn't perform to your liking then at that time look at getting a 900 series drill. the big thing to remember when putting the plate together is to make sure you put some anti seize on the shaft of the drill where the adapter that comes with the plate attaches. I didn't with the 771 and had to order a new replacement adapter from Clam since I couldn't get it off the 771 after it was on it.  one other thing is  if you do use the 790 then go no bigger then a 6 inch auger.

[madball13]

im thinking of this one:

http://m.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-Max-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Hammer-Drill-DCD985M2/204210929

I have a need for a decent drill and I don't see many other drills with the speed settings and the 4ah lithium batteries.

[buz23]

A lot of guys are using this.  The lowest speed setting is still pretty fast, so I don't know that the extra speed buys you anything (good for an auger that is).   

I have a hitachi drill which is fine for anything I need to do around the house.  I felt kind of bad taking the chuck off my new Milwaukee Fuel drill and putting it on a clam plate knowing that may make it a permanent ice auger, but I still have the hitachi for almost anything else (except the hammer function, I may want that).  And I am certainly going to be buying a bare fuel circular saw  too (Milwaukee makes a brushless 7 1/4" cordless saw now).

[XN]

im thinking of this one:

http://m.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-Max-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Hammer-Drill-DCD985M2/204210929

I have a need for a decent drill and I don't see many other drills with the speed settings and the 4ah lithium batteries.

Get the Makita! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18-Volt-LXT-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-1-2-in-Cordless-Hammer-Driver-Drill-Kit-XPH07M/205492043

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Get the Makita! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18-Volt-LXT-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-1-2-in-Cordless-Hammer-Driver-Drill-Kit-XPH07M/205492043

X2, 2nd choice the milwaukee fuel.

[buz23]

Get the Makita! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18-Volt-LXT-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-1-2-in-Cordless-Hammer-Driver-Drill-Kit-XPH07M/205492043

Keep in mind this drill is brand new and reliability isn't proven yet for our application.

[prospector]

Keep in mind this drill is brand new and reliability isn't proven yet for our application.

No Clam adaptor required with the Makita. It is the real deal. Turns an 8" Nils at least as well, if not better than the Milwaukee. Longer handle makes the Clam unnecessary at best and a waste on money at worst. On other augers that create more torque, the Clam may have some merit When it comes to safety. I am ready to put a 10" on the Makita just out of curiosity.

[prospector]

BTW, the chuck on the Makita is not as good as the Milwaukee IMO.

[Chi]

This is the second year as far as I know this topic has been going strong. Thanks to guys like pointerguy who did a lot of testing, all the new guys going this route and suppiling info we should have a good handle by  season end what works well and what doesn't.  I'll be using the Milwaukee fuel with a 7" SM Lazer, or my 35 year old 7" Mora. Might buy the 5.0Ah Battery, That's if we get ice here in western NY    Took a look at the Dewalt link but can't find the In/Lb rating 

[icefishingluva]

This is the second year as far as I know this topic has been going strong. Thanks to guys like pointerguy who did a lot of testing, all the new guys going this route and suppiling info we should have a good handle by  season end what works well and what doesn't.  I'll be using the Milwaukee fuel with a 7" SM Lazer, or my 35 year old 7" Mora. Might buy the 5.0Ah Battery, That's if we get ice here in western NY    Took a look at the Dewalt link but can't find the In/Lb rating 

Dewalt 900 series are at 705 in/lbs of torque, and Dewalt 700 series are around 400 in/lbs of torque!! Hope this helps!!


Also, has anyone paired up a drill with the clam plate and 6" hills? wondering how it works!!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Yeah the nils will cut like butter. If you can get the adaptor.......ebay has a guy selling the adaptor he makes for $29.

I've got an 8in nils i'm going to try with the milwaukee fuel.

[icefishingluva]

Yeah the nils will cut like butter. If you can get the adaptor.......ebay has a guy selling the adaptor he makes for $29.

I've got an 8in nils i'm going to try with the milwaukee fuel.

Thanks sir, just got a 6" nils and the clam plate in Cabelas for good price, plus $20 off!  I will check into the adapter on ebay.

Thanks sir!

[XN]

Keep in mind this drill is brand new and reliability isn't proven yet for our application.

This line of Makita is contractor grade equipment. I have no doubt it will perform for the long haul. I have 200+ inches (8" nils) of ice on my first battery and its still showing full charge. Every time I'm out I want to go over and drill holes for guys using their gas auger.

[XN]

just put another 160" on the same battery (makita 4ah battery) 360+ inches and the battery shows 2/3 full... I won't charge it until I drain it 

[icefishingluva]

So I just bought the clam plate, and noticed the bearing is cock-eyed...has anyone had this problem? And do you just need to straighten it out or take it back and get another one?  Thanks!!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

So I just bought the clam plate, and noticed the bearing is cock-eyed...has anyone had this problem? And do you just need to straighten it out or take it back and get another one?  Thanks!!

the bearing will move and adjust. when you put thdrill on make sure the shaft shoots straight down then tighten the u bolt around the drill handle.

[icefishingluva]

the bearing will move and adjust. when you put thdrill on make sure the shaft shoots straight down then tighten the u bolt around the drill handle.

Thank you, wondered about that but wasn't for sure! 

Thanks guys for all the wonderful input, very helpful.

[Townie]

Was going 4 the Ridgid, but can't argue w/ the torque of the Makita!  SOLD

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Was going 4 the Ridgid, but can't argue w/ the torque of the Makita!  SOLD

Heah kinda disapointed. I got my milwaukee.......earlie r.........now the makita sounds like the nuts.

[prospector]

Heah kinda disapointed. I got my milwaukee.......earlie r.........now the makita sounds like the nuts.

I own both. The Milwaukee can hold its own.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I own both. The Milwaukee can hold its own.

Good to hear.

[Townie]

I own both. The Milwaukee can hold its own.

Any noticeable difference in performance between the two?

[buz23]

Exactly, I hand this happen this spring when i tried to remove the adapter

What  I found was the adapter end  locks tight against the drill  over time while drilling holes and causing it to be tough to remove so i ended up putting a thin plastic washer between the adapter and drill .

Rereading this post I wonder if the washer goes on the end of the 1/2-20 threaded drill shaft (like a spacer) or over the threads like you normally picture a washer being used.  Please clarify.

[Chi]

Which one would you choose 
   
            Milwaukee with the optional 5.0 Battery  725 in.lbs torque  Or the Makita 4.0 Ah Battery  1090 in. lbs torque.

                    Torque Vs. Ah

[XN]

Which one would you choose 
   
            Milwaukee with the optional 5.0 Battery  725 in.lbs torque  Or the Makita 4.0 Ah Battery  1090 in. lbs torque.

                    Torque Vs. Ah

Torque is what turns the auger, the battery is the gas tank. Can you have to much power? Fyi it looks like Mikita is selling 5ah batteries in Europe so hopefully we will see them soon. P/n BL1850

[BobberdownLP]

Just installed my older brushed Makita LXT BDF451 (560 in.lbs.) to the Clam plate and a 8" Strikemaster lazer auger.  Was surprised how well it did.  I was only drilling through 8" of ice but managed to drill 15 holes before I got too cold. (-25 windchill).  I cant wait until the XPH07 comes in! I ordered it Monday off Amazon and it was $25 off! I paid $104 for the tool (no batteries).  I have 3 3.0 AH batteries which I will make do until I get the 5's.  So far very impressed!

[ready2fish]

Rereading this post I wonder if the washer goes on the end of the 1/2-20 threaded drill shaft (like a spacer) or over the threads like you normally picture a washer being used.  Please clarify.

The second part of your question is what i was referring to. " over the threads like you normally picture a washer being used."

[MJB]

Just got the conversion plate. Hoping my Ryobi 18vlt will get the job done. Way things are looking right now we will probably only see a few inches of ice this season (if any at all)