Clam Ice Anchor Install Tool Availability???

[nhbaitrunner]

Does anyone have any suggestions of were I can find a Clam ice anchor install tool.  I have searched the web and made several phone calls and everyone is telling me they are OUT FOR THE SEASON.  I have a Clam Base Camp hub shelter and love it, except for screwing in the ice anchors by hand.  Thanks,

[Windriver]

I made one out of a socket.  I just drilled it out then cut it out with a hacksaw and used a chainsaw file to smooth it out.   It works very well although I am thinking about doing it with a deep socket to make it more stable.

Windriver

[97stang]

i am going to drill pilot holes see if it will be easier.

[CharoS10]

I did try to research some around interent, most of them say SOLD OUT. 

I never know about that Ice Anchor Install tool. It really cool. I want one, guess wait for next season or something like that. 

[frozen nostrils]

I use 6 inch coarse thread wood screws with a #2 phillips head for anchors.  Found they go in a lot easier and hold just as good and who cares if ya lose one.  The ice anchors are too much of a pain to start by hand and I carry enough stuff in my sled then to carry a cordless drill to put them in. 

[Hard Ice]

Give reeds.com a try they had them last weekend !

[Trooper Bri]

Poke around the hardware store and find anything durable that goes in a drill chuck that you can notch for the anchors.

As good as the anchors that came with my Frabill Outpost looked, they sucked. So I'm tossing them in favor of fasteners available at one of the Cheapo Depots.

They are a flatter button head style with a T-20 or T-25 drive. Maybe 4 or 5 inches long. With threads that look like they were made for ice. Darned if I can remember what they're called and I spent 5 minutes poking around online for them. A friend of mine used them for securing stair stringers to a railroad tie retaining wall. I have to go buy some, so I'll get the name and post a pic when I do.
Use a fender washer and you can zing the hub shacks to the ice real quick, and use them for exterior lines too.

I thought of using Timberloks that my friend has too, but they are a bit long for CT ice most of the year. Trussloks would probably work good.

[blrunner]

Try Marine General, I have the tool and it works great.  Call them and see if its in stock. http://www.marinegeneralcatalog.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=6123

[andercee]

i use my scooper handle as a lever to spin them into the ice, works great.

[roughice]

Made one for my QF6  used a nut driver welded to a washer welded to a piece of 3/4`` pipe used a grinder to put a groove in the end.  Sure works good, but ya gotta haul the cordless out with you.

[cold_feet]

I built one 
items needed
1/2"x 4" pipe nipple
1/2" cap
1/4"x 4" bolt
2-1/4" nuts use nylocks or locking nuts works the best
Drill the cap through the center take the 1/4" bolt and use a nut inside and outside the cap as jam nuts. Tighten and cut of hex head of bolt to make shaft to fit drill. Screw cap to pipe then either grind or use hacksaw to cut slots to fit anchors and clean up cuts with file.
Simple to make and works great for putting in and removing the anchors.

[andercee]

I saw them at Scheel's in great falls MT today.

[Chris Raymond]

Gander Mountain in Marquette, MI had at least two or three of them last Saturday night. 

[stanollie]

Gander Mountain in Marquette, MI had at least two or three of them last Saturday night. 

Thanks Chris. I just got off the phone with Gander Mountain at the store you mentioned and one is on the way!!!

[shawno]

I bought one this year and wow...it works awesome.  I don't know how I used to get by without it...can't beat it for drilling into good clear ice.  You have to have a decent drill though too.

[Wiener]

I bought one, it works great.

Gander Mountain in Wausau has them, also available at Fleet Farm


Hope this helps,

Wiener

[nhbaitrunner]

Thank you all for your advise and replies.  I got one!