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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Light liner on Mar 06, 2019, 03:53 PM

Title: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Light liner on Mar 06, 2019, 03:53 PM
Ive done a bunch of research, tried some out. Looking for real world ice reviews.
Looking to upgrade my "run and gun" auger.
5th season on my nills 6" convertible its been a great auger but want to go to a 8".
18 volt rigid octane 4ah batteries.
Like the nills but pricey wanted to see how the others compared.
We get thick ice up here 3'.
Looking at:
Nills
K drill
Lazer
Eskimo pistol bit.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: burgerunh on Mar 06, 2019, 04:00 PM
If you don't have the new 1300 inch-pound ridgid you will not be able to turn an 8" K-drill.  You should probably stick with a 6" auger or consider buying a more powerful drill as well.

How do I know?  I bought an 8" K-drill last year thinking I would run it with my Ridgid that had 700 inch-pounds of torque with 4 amp hour batteries.  Lets just say I ended up buying a milwaukee!
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: RyanW on Mar 06, 2019, 07:10 PM
For 3’ of ice, skip the $200 8” bits and find a used gasser. Drill setups are a game changer but I wouldn’t use them for ice that thick.  18”+ of ice on an 8” bit is a lot of work going on. I use an 8” Lazer on my Milwaukee Fuel and it excels with ice under 18”. 2’ would be pushing it (especially on a 4ah battery, I use a 5ah). If I were dead set on using my drill setup on ice ~3’ thick, I’d stick with the 6” bit and upgrade the battery to a 12ah. Or invest roughly the same amount of cash into a gasser that I know would do the job.

3’ is just a lot of ice for a drill man, especially with an 8” bit. An 8” auger removes twice the amount of ice than a 6” auger. So right there you’re cutting your hole count in half. So cutting an 8” hole in three feet of ice is the same as cutting a 6” hole in 6 feet of ice. Your tools will definitely notice the difference.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Light liner on Mar 06, 2019, 10:06 PM
I have an ion love it, but like the light set up for packing light on foot.
My beat 6" nills still does it but time to replace. Probably going with a 6" K drill.
Would need more power for an 8".
Thanks for the replies.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: hawg on Mar 07, 2019, 10:04 AM
Remember though- a KDrill is a chipper and an Pistol is a shaver blade. Shavers cut much smoother with less draw on the battery. 3 ft is nothing for my Ion but never tried the drill setup yet. Also, if you fish in a permanent house you can reopen holed easily with either drill auger so you really aren't doing 3 ft all the time.  If you are a hole hopper the Strikemaster or Ion will work but at the least I would be hesitant with a drill combo without a 5 gal pail of batteries along. 
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: IceFishFreak on Mar 07, 2019, 10:21 AM
Nils by far is the fastest,  smoothest auger on the market.  If I was in the market,  there are no other options that are as smooth and fast giving you more holes.

That said,  the eskimo and a strike master laser are the same basically.  You can use the eskimo blades on a lazer.  If you already have a nimrod adapter for your drill and you want to be cost effective,  buy laser.  IF you don't have a nimrod and don't want to mess around with a plate and getting a adapter,  buy eskimo. 

If money is not an option,  the Nils can't be beat. 

Kdrill really are over hyped,  I don't understand why,  I wouldn't own one.  my personal opinion with the Ion is much the same as the Kdrill,  they make very little sense to me.  You can't bust out the Ion in the summer if you have some landscape timbers to punch holes in with a half inch bit.  I don't know,  maybe it's just me but I think the ion's are bottom of the list.  If I won one,  i'd sell it.  same as the Kdril.

That said,  3ft of ice is a lot for any auger.  If it was a lake you never been to and are unsure if it will take 20 holes or 200,  you better have an extra battery or two.  Doesn't matter what brand of drill.  Unless you have a milwaukee fuel 18 with the 12ah.  I haven't seen that battery dead yet but that's with a 6 inch
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: shiveringjoe on Mar 07, 2019, 11:10 AM

That said,  the eskimo and a strike master laser are the same basically.  You can use the eskimo blades on a lazer.  If you already have a nimrod adapter for your drill and you want to be cost effective,  buy laser.  IF you don't have a nimrod and don't want to mess around with a plate and getting a adapter,  buy eskimo. 

Unless eskimo has a different auger than I have seen, they are the same as a Mora (blue), not a Lazer (black). The lazer is a much more aggressive shaver, so it cuts faster but also requires more drill torque.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: luv2fish2 on Mar 07, 2019, 11:24 AM
Unless eskimo has a different auger than I have seen, they are the same as a Mora (blue), not a Lazer (black). The lazer is a much more aggressive shaver, so it cuts faster but also requires more drill torque.
  they do it's called a silver tip looks like a laser 
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: shiveringjoe on Mar 07, 2019, 11:44 AM
Learned something new today... Its just a red lazer right? Didn't see anything about it being more drill compatible.

  they do it's called a silver tip looks like a laser
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: hawg on Mar 07, 2019, 05:36 PM
KDRill is not a laser, it's a chipper.  Sorry, in my post I was comparing KDrill (not Strikemaster) to Pistol as SM is yet to be seen. Not sure why you steel drill guys keep throwing Nils and others into the lightweight debate.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Light liner on Mar 07, 2019, 06:09 PM
Ordered up a 6" K drill, really like the lightweight of it. Mostly going to be used for when im on foot panfishing.
Thanks for the replies.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: GBguy on Mar 07, 2019, 06:47 PM
How substantial is the weight difference between the 6" kdrill and the 6" strikemaster auger half of the hand auger?
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Deal Ninja on Mar 07, 2019, 06:57 PM
I’ve been following this thread.  You will not like the K-Drill for ANYTHING beyond its light weight.  I have an 8” Nils.  I also have a 7.5” K-Drill.  The K-Drill warms the corner in my garage collecting dust.  If light weight is your paramount concern, you might be happy, but if you’ve used a Nils previously(and you have)you’ll be be sorely disappointed otherwise.  There is simply no comparison.  The K-Drill is a Rada, where the Nils is a Shun in knife terms.

DN
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Gills-only on Mar 07, 2019, 07:25 PM
Remember though- a KDrill is a chipper and an Pistol is a shaver blade. Shavers cut much smoother with less draw on the battery. 3 ft is nothing for my Ion but never tried the drill setup yet. Also, if you fish in a permanent house you can reopen holed easily with either drill auger so you really aren't doing 3 ft all the time.  If you are a hole hopper the Strikemaster or Ion will work but at the least I would be hesitant with a drill combo without a 5 gal pail of batteries along.
.        Unless u have a 9ah battery, I have 2 of those and one 12 ah
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Evil Tom on Mar 09, 2019, 05:48 PM
Ion.No review needed.Thing kicks ass drilled 25-30 holes last week thru 28" in upstate NY np.Third year now.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Kevin23 on Mar 09, 2019, 05:56 PM
If I had that much ice, i would probably just bite the bullet and buy the strikemaster lithium lazer 8" set up.  24lbs, plenty of torque, and you could have an adapter made to put your nills on it if you want.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: VTMatt on Mar 09, 2019, 06:02 PM
Nils by far is the fastest,  smoothest auger on the market.  If I was in the market,  there are no other options that are as smooth and fast giving you more holes.

That said,  the eskimo and a strike master laser are the same basically.  You can use the eskimo blades on a lazer.  If you already have a nimrod adapter for your drill and you want to be cost effective,  buy laser.  IF you don't have a nimrod and don't want to mess around with a plate and getting a adapter,  buy eskimo. 

If money is not an option,  the Nils can't be beat. 

Kdrill really are over hyped,  I don't understand why,  I wouldn't own one.  my personal opinion with the Ion is much the same as the Kdrill,  they make very little sense to me.  You can't bust out the Ion in the summer if you have some landscape timbers to punch holes in with a half inch bit.  I don't know,  maybe it's just me but I think the ion's are bottom of the list.  If I won one,  i'd sell it.  same as the Kdril.

That said,  3ft of ice is a lot for any auger.  If it was a lake you never been to and are unsure if it will take 20 holes or 200,  you better have an extra battery or two.  Doesn't matter what brand of drill.  Unless you have a milwaukee fuel 18 with the 12ah.  I haven't seen that battery dead yet but that's with a 6 inch

Nils has the same head and blade specs as a lazer....only difference is how u deal with the blades.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: tjk3rd on Mar 09, 2019, 06:28 PM
I have a Nils 8" paired with a Ridgid drill, not the 1300, and use a 9 ah battery.  Spent all day cutting through over 2' of ice and never even got down to half power.  Drill cut through no problem.  We also had an 8" Eskimo gas auger that was only carried as a back up but was never needed.  Ridgid with 8" Nils was faster and lighter.  Highly recommend.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: VTMatt on Mar 09, 2019, 07:10 PM
I had my 8" Lazer on the Ridgid Octane and was blazing through 18" of ice insanely fast today. About 30 holes and my battery was still 3/4 at the end of the day.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: fishingeek on Mar 10, 2019, 11:54 AM
I have a m18 fuel drill with clam plate and 7" strikemaster lazer setup. I was hole hopping on a pond and drilled close to 75 holes yesterday in 10" of ice on one battery. Could've gotten more if I wanted and still had 1 bar left. Temps was in the lower 40s so I'm not sure how I would fair in extreme cold temps. Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: ICEHOLE on Mar 11, 2019, 10:53 AM
Electric drills on 8" augers is starting to give me a head ache..multiple issues, multiple drills, multiple batteries, running out of ideas
i like the idea of the eskimo pistol, but it being PLASTIC nope...plastic in the cold means CHA CHING for eskimo..anyone know how the plastic flights attach to the shaft of the auger?
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: shiveringjoe on Mar 11, 2019, 12:41 PM
My 8" lazer on a clam plate with the Ridgid Octane was a hero on Saturday. Drilled holes for 49 tipups with another 30 or so for jigging on a single 9ah battery. Ice was 18-20" and still perfect quality with no slush in the holes. Temps were also ideal at 35 and sunny. We had an M18 with 3 batteries as our backup but never took it out of the sled. Sunday was on a different pond with mediocre ice (20") with some slush and my drill would occasionally cut out if we weren't clearing shavings once or twice from the hole. Still did 40+ holes and had 1 bar left on the battery.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: JSONICE on Mar 11, 2019, 12:50 PM
Nils by far is the fastest,  smoothest auger on the market.  If I was in the market,  there are no other options that are as smooth and fast giving you more holes.

That said,  the eskimo and a strike master laser are the same basically.  You can use the eskimo blades on a lazer.  If you already have a nimrod adapter for your drill and you want to be cost effective,  buy laser.  IF you don't have a nimrod and don't want to mess around with a plate and getting a adapter,  buy eskimo. 

If money is not an option,  the Nils can't be beat. 

Kdrill really are over hyped,  I don't understand why,  I wouldn't own one.  my personal opinion with the Ion is much the same as the Kdrill,  they make very little sense to me.  You can't bust out the Ion in the summer if you have some landscape timbers to punch holes in with a half inch bit.  I don't know,  maybe it's just me but I think the ion's are bottom of the list.  If I won one,  i'd sell it.  same as the Kdril.

That said,  3ft of ice is a lot for any auger.  If it was a lake you never been to and are unsure if it will take 20 holes or 200,  you better have an extra battery or two.  Doesn't matter what brand of drill.  Unless you have a milwaukee fuel 18 with the 12ah.  I haven't seen that battery dead yet but that's with a 6 inch

I actually OWN a KDRILL 7.75 and love it...I also used my friends Nils and thought it worked well too... The Kdrill drills very fast with no downward pressure...Not sure what there is to not like?
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Damn Yankee on Mar 11, 2019, 05:47 PM
Electric drills on 8" augers is starting to give me a head ache..multiple issues, multiple drills, multiple batteries, running out of ideas
i like the idea of the eskimo pistol, but it being PLASTIC nope...plastic in the cold means CHA CHING for eskimo..anyone know how the plastic flights attach to the shaft of the auger?
Material technology today has far surpassed the knowledge of us mere mortals.
Weeks ago in upstate NY (approximately 0˚F) I had ice totally enclosing my 8" Pistol Flites. I whacked at it with my indestructible
(BigDipperHockeyStickIc eScoop), the ice shattered, the flites flexed and seemed to look at me saying "moving right along lets get with the program".
The 8" Eskimo Pistol AugerBit is as good as they get today. They're on the market today around $180 and next year (hopefully) with a power-point will be in the $200 range and competitive with the New Strikemaster and the other pretenders.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: marquette on Mar 13, 2019, 11:38 AM
How close are the Eskimo bits and Ion bits?   Since the come from the same parent company do they share technology?   They certainly seem in competition with each other.  A Eskimo bit plus Milwaukee drill is pretty close in price to a Ion but Artisan only got half the money.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Miles59 on Mar 13, 2019, 01:55 PM
I actually OWN a KDRILL 7.75 and love it...I also used my friends Nils and thought it worked well too... The Kdrill drills very fast with no downward pressure...Not sure what there is to not like?

I also own the K-Drill 7.5” and think it is great.  Paired with the Ridgid drill and 9ah battery, and I am very happy!  It is super light, and it cuts as fast as I will ever need to cut a hole in the ice.  I’ve seen the comparison videos, but don’t get the need for speed, I guess.  I don’t cut 100 holes a day either.  I will cut 20 or so holes through a foot of ice and still have 3 out of 4 bars on the battery lit.  I also disconnect the K-Drill and use the gun to screw in shanty anchors - something you can’t do easily with some other options.  And I can tell you from experience, the float works!  The one negative is that it has fallen out of the chuck a few times.  Not sure if that relates more to the K-Drill or the Ridgid.   I learned that it works better if you re-tighten the chuck after cutting the first hole.  Anyway, I love it.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: PazzoCorso on Mar 13, 2019, 02:41 PM
8" Mora -$45
Milwaukee mud mixer- $130
9ah battery -$100

50 holes in 24" of ice... Still has 2 bars on the battery... I could not be any happier
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: rickwalley on Mar 13, 2019, 03:06 PM
Pazzo....I tried the 8" Mora, but didn't like how Strikemaster opted to hang 8" Mora blades on a 7" Mora auger bit.  Is that the same way yours is that you bought?  I'm not sure if Strikemaster has always done that, or it was a recent change?
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Mar 13, 2019, 05:04 PM
Pazzo....I tried the 8" Mora, but didn't like how Strikemaster opted to hang 8" Mora blades on a 7" Mora auger bit.  Is that the same way yours is that you bought?  I'm not sure if Strikemaster has always done that, or it was a recent change?

Always been that way, until this year, the 8" auger has 8" flights..

I actually prefer the 8" on 7" bit.. If one blade gets a nick in it, it will tend to wander to one side, with 7 inch flights, you don't have to worry about the bit binding against the side of the hole.

A 8 on 7 is also the lightest (metal) 8 you're going to find..

This is my 8 on seven, flights shortened, chopped and lengthened with an aluminum shaft. Lighter than a kdrill, with a true 8" hole..


(https://i.postimg.cc/TLj9J0D7/IMG-20171212-180409.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLj9J0D7)


<°)))>{
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: PazzoCorso on Mar 13, 2019, 05:55 PM
Always been that way, until this year, the 8" auger has 8" flights..

I actually prefer the 8" on 7" bit.. If one blade gets a nick in it, it will tend to wander to one side, with 7 inch flights, you don't have to worry about the bit binding against the side of the hole.

A 8 on 7 is also the lightest (metal) 8 you're going to find..

This is my 8 on seven, flights shortened, chopped and lengthened with an aluminum shaft. Lighter than a kdrill, with a true 8" hole..


(https://i.postimg.cc/TLj9J0D7/IMG-20171212-180409.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLj9J0D7)


<°)))>{

Now that's a sweet auger.  You might be able to retire if you mod a few and sell them as the latest greatest. The pistol is how much?!?
Think of the profit margin  :tipup:
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: AcezHi on Mar 13, 2019, 06:21 PM
I have the KDrill 7.75 on a Dewalt 20v drill Model # DCD996P2 with 5ah and have been drilling over 3' of ice for my five holes consistently here in Maine this winter and I couldn't be happier.
Last week we had around 40"
That left 3 bars on the battery. I don't even bother taking an extra battery anymore.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Mar 13, 2019, 09:11 PM
Now that's a sweet auger.  You might be able to retire if you mod a few and sell them as the latest greatest. The pistol is how much?!?
Think of the profit margin  :tipup:

Thanks man!

<°)))>{
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: laer0302 on Mar 14, 2019, 12:14 AM
Not gonna help you now, but the HT Mini Nero will have an 8" model next year(it was mistakenly advertised in the Reeds catalog this year.) I have the 7" and run it on the ridgid drill with 700 torque and 6ah batteries, and it works awesome, even with the 30+ inches of ice we have here in central MN. With all the snow we've gotten this year, I haven't been able to be as mobile as I would like, but I haven't even come close to using one full battery this season yet.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: rickwalley on Mar 14, 2019, 09:54 AM
Hey Ice Scratcher.....
Just to be clear on your response, you're saying that starting with this current ice season's Mora models,  I can find an 8" Mora that uses actual 8" flights?  Or did I read your post incorrectly?
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Mar 14, 2019, 04:46 PM
Hey Ice Scratcher.....
Just to be clear on your response, you're saying that starting with this current ice season's Mora models,  I can find an 8" Mora that uses actual 8" flights?  Or did I read your post incorrectly?

Yes, you read correctly..

At least that's my understanding..

<°)))>{
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Damn Yankee on Mar 14, 2019, 05:08 PM
Yes, you read correctly..

At least that's my understanding..

<°)))>{
"That's my understanding" is like more FALSE NEWS.
I've seen at least 20X NEW Mora 8" augers at Cabelas over the last 2 years and they all have the same 7" diameter flytes.
If anyone has a Mora 8" auger with 8" diameter flytes I'd like to see a picture. I just Don't Believe It.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Mar 14, 2019, 05:13 PM
"That's my understanding" is like more FALSE NEWS.
I've seen at least 20X NEW Mora 8" augers at Cabelas over the last 2 years and they all have the same 7" diameter flytes.
If anyone has a Mora 8" auger with 8" diameter flytes I'd like to see a picture. I just Don't Believe It.

Just happened, this season, from what I've been following on here.. Might not even be in stores yet..

You don't have to believe it, and I don't care enough to prove it lol..
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: PazzoCorso on Mar 14, 2019, 05:18 PM
Why would you want 8" flights on an 8" auger? You do understand the concept of friction right?
Seems to me to be a rather flawed design... You'd have to put your drill in reverse to get it back out of the hole, catch an edge and snap your wrist
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Light liner on Mar 18, 2019, 07:05 AM
Update to my last post.
Like I mentioned ended up staying with a 6" did not want to upgrade drill quite yet.
Went with 6" K drill, used last 2 outings. Not quite as fast as my nills, but cuts nice. Extremely light easy on the battery.
For tip up fishing I'll run my ion but for hole hopping I really like this K drill.
See how it holds up compared to a nills.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: swnoel on Mar 18, 2019, 07:32 AM
Ion.No review needed.Thing kicks ass drilled 25-30 holes last week thru 28" in upstate NY np.Third year now.

Until you break 3 sets of blades in 1 month! No ... there was NO abuse involved or multiple users. It was used for 2 years with no problems. They just broke cutting clear ice! By the looks of things this isn't an isolated problem. Knowing what I know now I wouldn't buy one and own a kdrill and Milwaukee clam plate combo. I have experienced no problems except for the original 4 ah batteries not being large enough to cut more than 11-12 holes. I purchased a 9ah battery and it has been amazing. The Ion is my sons and he babies it and once the first blade broke the others broke routinely nearly every time out.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Light liner on Mar 21, 2019, 01:24 PM
Another thing ive noticed now using the kdrill more, is that its harder on the battery life than my nills was.
But besides that its a good auger.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: jethro on Mar 21, 2019, 02:03 PM
Another thing ive noticed now using the kdrill more, is that its harder on the battery life than my nills was.
But besides that its a good auger.

Yeah, chipper blade as opposed to a shaver. Definitely slower and harder on a battery. But the k drill could drill a hole through a hardwood floor and still work the same where if you look at a Nils the wrong way it's off to the sharpener.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: PikeKing23 on Mar 21, 2019, 02:16 PM
Now that's funny!
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: VTMatt on Mar 22, 2019, 01:19 AM
Yeah, chipper blade as opposed to a shaver. Definitely slower and harder on a battery. But the k drill could drill a hole through a hardwood floor and still work the same where if you look at a Nils the wrong way it's off to the sharpener.

My K-Drill blades went to junk after 1 week on 2 different sets of blades.  :(
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Light liner on Mar 23, 2019, 04:12 PM
My K-Drill blades went to junk after 1 week on 2 different sets of blades.  :(

Thats why they come with a cover so you dont ruin your blades.
(And safety)
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Mar 24, 2019, 08:31 PM
My K-Drill blades went to junk after 1 week on 2 different sets of blades.  :(
You sure you had the drill in the right setting? Also, shouldn’t have to push down hard to get them going.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: VTMatt on Mar 25, 2019, 06:51 AM
Thats why they come with a cover so you dont ruin your blades.
(And safety)

Lol, only ever touched ice. 
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: VTMatt on Mar 25, 2019, 06:53 AM
You sure you had the drill in the right setting? Also, shouldn’t have to push down hard to get them going.

Brand new out of the box the first blades would not cut without downward pressure.  Second set cut like butter for 1 weekend and then the weekend after turned into the same issue.  Huge burr kicked up on the opposite cutting edge.  Seems like the blades are much softer than they should be. 

Used on a new clam plate in drill mode....

I used the same blades on my Ion for over 3 years, only touched the edges up once.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: jethro on Mar 25, 2019, 07:40 AM
I put a little downward pressure on my Kdrills, what's the big deal? This is ice fishing, not needle point class. Also, you got to make sure you are not leaning the drill away from the leading edge. In other words, if you are gonna make a hole leaning a tiny bit, better to lean it to the right a little. lean it to the left and the leading edge doesn't grip and cut. I see people all the time complaining about their drill, lean the leading edge into the ice a bit and don't be afraid to push a little. They might be expensive augers but they aren't friggin' black magic. Chipper blades need a little pressure. I abuse the ever loving chit out of my drills and they still cut awesome.
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: VTMatt on Mar 26, 2019, 12:54 AM
I put a little downward pressure on my Kdrills, what's the big deal? This is ice fishing, not needle point class. Also, you got to make sure you are not leaning the drill away from the leading edge. In other words, if you are gonna make a hole leaning a tiny bit, better to lean it to the right a little. lean it to the left and the leading edge doesn't grip and cut. I see people all the time complaining about their drill, lean the leading edge into the ice a bit and don't be afraid to push a little. They might be expensive augers but they aren't friggin' black magic. Chipper blades need a little pressure. I abuse the ever loving chit out of my drills and they still cut awesome.

Yeah, downward pressure shouldn't affect blades.  If a HSS drill can be used to pop holes in pretty tough tool steels and other alloys, I'm pretty sure something as soft as ice should be no problem.

Honestly my blades looked to be poorly ground on my K Drill.  Wish I still worked at a place that had a hardness checker to see what the blades came in at....I bet way lower than they're supposed to!
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Aug 19, 2019, 11:55 PM
Nils has the same head and blade specs as a lazer....only difference is how u deal with the blades.

They are both curved blades, but On my 8in nils the blades don't seem to be curved has much as the Lazer blades. They seem to be a little flatter, yet curved.

Hard to explain, but I know an 8in lazer vs my 8in nils on a drill is night and day difference when it comes to the tourque it takes to turn them.

Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: OldSailor on Aug 20, 2019, 09:49 AM
They are both curved blades, but On my 8in nils the blades don't seem to be curved has much as the Lazer blades. They seem to be a little flatter, yet curved.

Hard to explain, but I know an 8in lazer vs my 8in nils on a drill is night and day difference when it comes to the tourque it takes to turn them.
Are you saying the Nils turn so much easier??
Title: Re: 8" auger reviews
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Aug 20, 2019, 08:04 PM
Are you saying the Nils turn so much easier??

Yes by a large difference. It takes little effort. Just keep the blades sharp. I sharpen mine Once since I bought it. But I drill maybe 30 or so holes an outing. I ran an 8in nils on a Milwaukee 725in lb drill for a couple years with 4ah batteries with 24in of ice no problem. I did upgrade to the 1200in/lb Milwaukee and never had an issue with it even it 24in + ice.

The only thing that sucks about nils is if u need to sharpen it.....only one guy really does it, and you have to send it in. That and a spare cutting head will drop your jaw on how much it cost. Other then that never had one issue with it and been using one for over 7yrs.