M-18 2904/ 8AH/ 8" Lite-Flite Update.

[SLAYERFISH]

I drilled 75 holes thru 6-7" of hard ice yesterday the battery showed 3 bars at end of day. Ambient temp in 20s all day.

Best auger Ive ever had or used.  Bit never grabs gawd it cuts fast.  Swiss cheesed the lake in no time.

[Scranton Joe]

I am equally impressed.  What a great auger bit.  So fast and clean with my Milwaukee drill  set up.

[the force]

Nice! I’ve been debating a new battery as one of my 5ah is getting a bit tired. One 8ah is $220 and 2x5ah are $230 in Canada… I’m leaning towards the 5s as are cheaper if considering a pure $/ah cost…. unless you can convince me differently? Not sure if there is a benefit of bigger cells in the 8ah?

[bigfoot86]

Had issues with the liteflite then went to the nils convertible.  Much faster and no issues ever since.  Lite flite cut pretty decent initially  but had issue with wobbling and cutting blades.

[IFF]

Who makes that auger?

[hawg]

Nice! I’ve been debating a new battery as one of my 5ah is getting a bit tired. One 8ah is $220 and 2x5ah are $230 in Canada… I’m leaning towards the 5s as are cheaper if considering a pure $/ah cost…. unless you can convince me differently? Not sure if there is a benefit of bigger cells in the 8ah?

My vote would be for two fives.

[cropee]

I been using that set up for 4yrs now. Take note after while you 5ah battery will weaken mine doesnt drill right through the ice anymore without catching and i dont get nearly as many holes as when new. Thinking of upgrading to the 6ah battery

[SLAYERFISH]

Nice! I’ve been debating a new battery as one of my 5ah is getting a bit tired. One 8ah is $220 and 2x5ah are $230 in Canada… I’m leaning towards the 5s as are cheaper if considering a pure $/ah cost…. unless you can convince me differently? Not sure if there is a benefit of bigger cells in the 8ah?

I have no other info other than that 8ah is a beast.  No need to carry 2 -5ah if that matters   The 8ah came with a "rapid charger". Ive never charged it more than 10 minutes since I got it. I drill a lot of holes too.

[SLAYERFISH]

Had issues with the liteflite then went to the nils convertible.  Much faster and no issues ever since.  Lite flite cut pretty decent initially  but had issue with wobbling and cutting blades.

Ive had a Lite-flite 6" for 3 years now.  Drilled literally 1000's of holes with no issues.

[bigfoot86]

Ive had a Lite-flite 6" for 3 years now.  Drilled literally 1000's of holes with no issues.

I’m not the first one that had problems with it.  Not saying it’s bad, just maybe some quality control issues with some of them.  Had the 6” nils for a handful of years and it has been exceptional.  Thousands of holes drilled with the original head and still smooth as butter.

[SLAYERFISH]

I’m not the first one that had problems with it.  Not saying it’s bad, just maybe some quality control issues with some of them.  Had the 6” nils for a handful of years and it has been exceptional.  Thousands of holes drilled with the original head and still smooth as butter.

Im sure if we dig deep enough we'll find some NILS issues also!

[jopes]

Nice! I’ve been debating a new battery as one of my 5ah is getting a bit tired. One 8ah is $220 and 2x5ah are $230 in Canada… I’m leaning towards the 5s as are cheaper if considering a pure $/ah cost…. unless you can convince me differently? Not sure if there is a benefit of bigger cells in the 8ah?

Do some reading the 5ah has older designed cells and smaller cells that the 8ah does.     The newer designed high output cells are amazing.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Well over 2K holes with the first run SM LF. Even got the first batch with bad adaptors. Still cuts like new. Best on the market. Haven't seen one compare yet.

[bigfoot86]

Im sure if we dig deep enough we'll find some NILS issues also!

Not trying to bash the product, just simply informing of the issues I had with it.  I’m sure people had problems with nils.  They have been around a long time though.  Only thing I’ll say I the nils does cut a little better than the top flite but who cares, just so your drilling holes.

[the force]

Do some reading the 5ah has older designed cells and smaller cells that the 8ah does.     The newer designed high output cells are amazing.

Yeah I saw that the 8ah had the new cells which is why I was interested but couldn’t clearly find out if they had upgraded the 5ah batts. Mine are probably 5 years old and have drilled 1000s of holes with my 6” Swede-bore. I had a 8” swede but twisted off 2 adapters and said F it. Just ordered a SM lite flute I found for $199CAD so exited about that. Extra batt next as one of my 5ah is slowing down.

[RStock521]

I'm pretty sure the 5ah and the other XC batteries have 18650 cells. The new 6.0, 8.0, and 12.0 High Output batteries are using 21700 cells and do provide more power to the tool. My next batteries will be the HO ones.

[BHardy]

I have the 12.0 HO battery. Judging from what I've seen so far using my current heavy usage tools(sawzall, chainsaw) with the old 5Ah batteries and with the new 12.0 I'm pretty sure I'll be drilling holes for an entire winter on one charge.  It's pretty ridiculous.

[SLAYERFISH]

I have the 12.0 HO battery. Judging from what I've seen so far using my current heavy usage tools(sawzall, chainsaw) with the old 5Ah batteries and with the new 12.0 I'm pretty sure I'll be drilling holes for an entire winter on one charge.  It's pretty ridiculous.

That's what Ive noticed.  Ridiculously efficient .

[hawg]

Heavy though.

[SLAYERFISH]

Heavy though.

Define heavy.. Versus what?  Sure a 8.0 is heavier than a 4.0.  but is it heavier than 2x4.0s?  I think not.

[Buckshots]

Thanks for the review. I picked up a 2904 and an 8ah battery. I have an 8” 24v but I’m not impressed. This review made me just purchase the drill adapter so I can try it out.

Metal is where it’s at btw. Rock on 

[SLAYERFISH]

Thanks for the review. I picked up a 2904 and an 8ah battery. I have an 8” 24v but I’m not impressed. This review made me just purchase the drill adapter so I can try it out.

Metal is where it’s at btw. Rock on 

Everyone that's tried the new auger setup says WOW!

[meandcuznalfy]

Great, just got mine, can't wait to try it, half the weight of my gas auger, already impressed.

[SLAYERFISH]

Gonna spin that thing at Cascade?

Just drilled 75 holes thru 8" of ice today it used 2 bars.    The setup isn't cheap. $200 for the drill.  250 for the batt/charger.  240 for the auger.  Approx $690. I think an ION is $750?  Crap I saw new gas augers at BASSPRO for $650!

[SLAYERFISH]

Thanks for the review. I picked up a 2904 and an 8ah battery. I have an 8” 24v but I’m not impressed. This review made me just purchase the drill adapter so I can try it out.

Metal is where it’s at btw. Rock on 

Yes Metalheads unite!

[meandcuznalfy]

Gonna spin that thing at Cascade?

Just drilled 75 holes thru 8" of ice today it used 2 bars.    The setup isn't cheap. $200 for the drill.  250 for the batt/charger.  240 for the auger.  Approx $690. I think an ION is $750?  Crap I saw new gas augers at BASSPRO for $650!

If I get a chance to get up there I will.

[GBguy]

Gonna spin that thing at Cascade?

Just drilled 75 holes thru 8" of ice today it used 2 bars.    The setup isn't cheap. $200 for the drill.  250 for the batt/charger.  240 for the auger.  Approx $690. I think an ION is $750?  Crap I saw new gas augers at BASSPRO for $650!

Is that Canadian prices? I have the Milwaukee Fuel 2803 with two 5.0 batteries, charger and 8"SM Lite Flite for $300. Did add the $80 clam plate pro which required a $16 adapter and splurged on the $25 magnetic cover. Still less than $425 USD all in. Gotta find those deals!

[Brian VT]

I have the Milwaukee Fuel 2803 with two 5.0 batteries, charger and 8"SM Lite Flite for $300.

$400 would be a good deal for that so you got a smokin' deal. Looks like you got 2 free batteries and a charger compared to what I can dig up for deals.

[hardwater diehard]

$400 would be a good deal for that so you got a smokin' deal. Looks like you got 2 free batteries and a charger compared to what I can dig up for deals.

Milwaukee deals are out there ...Northern Tool has $20 off coupons constantly ...Blaines Farm n Fleet runs some good deals on a regular basis ..$100 off when you purchase an $25 accessory .

[GBguy]

Yeah, both the drill and auger were purchased as end of year deals in the spring. Scored a smoking deal for the drill posted to the deals post on this site, got the drill, 2 batteries and charger for $167.