Kdrill on clam plate

[jwetovick]

Got a used kdrill with blades sharpened end last season. Put on my clam plate and tried it out today for first time. Was not impressed compared to my laser I was using. This is on an m18. Just didn’t seem to cut very well without fair amount of pressure. Granted is was -5 so I’m hoping maybe just skim ice on auger wouldn’t allow it to cut well? Even the first few holes were not great. What seems to be the issue? The clam plate does have some play in it so maybe that’s the issue but shouldn’t be. I am a clam plate fan so I’d like to keep using it. Advice or suggestions? My only thought is if the bottom of auger was bent a bit for some reason?

[shiveringjoe]

I’ve run my 6” lazer next to someone with a 6” kdrill and they weren’t any faster. I think the big benefit is being able to redrill old holes.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Got a used kdrill with blades sharpened end last season. Put on my clam plate and tried it out today for first time. Was not impressed compared to my laser I was using. This is on an m18. Just didn’t seem to cut very well without fair amount of pressure. Granted is was -5 so I’m hoping maybe just skim ice on auger wouldn’t allow it to cut well? Even the first few holes were not great. What seems to be the issue? The clam plate does have some play in it so maybe that’s the issue but shouldn’t be. I am a clam plate fan so I’d like to keep using it. Advice or suggestions? My only thought is if the bottom of auger was bent a bit for some reason?

I'm not sure on this.....I've heard that the blades on a Kdrill can only be sharpened a few times before the "cutting" preformance goes......something with the blades needing to be a certain length for the angle and the auger to cut well. That might possibly be an issue. Not sure.

[sprinkles]

Any time you can’t cut without a lot of pressure on any type of system it’s almost ALWAYS the blades.  Either they’re sharpened at the wrong angle or sharpened too many times, or just honed... almost guarantee that new blades will fix your issue.

[jwetovick]

If the blades are the issue and they were recently sent in to be sharpened then what does a guy do? Send them back in or spend $45 bucks on new blades? Don't seem to have much confidence in sending them in to be sharpened if they don't cut like they are supposed to after recently sending them in. I reeeeeallllly wanted to be impressed with this auger from the start but if i have to buy new blades i will then have 250 into this auger when my lazer was way cheaper and way faster. The only noticeable advantage this kdrill has over a lazer is that when it breaks through the ice it is super smooth and never catches. Anyone want to buy my kdrill?

[hardwater diehard]

Basics ...Drill on drill mode not on hammer drill.... set to lowest setting 1? When you say they were re sharpened?...by Kdrill ? I believe they can be sharpened up to 3 times ...has your set be sharpened more then once ...twice ?...are they on correctly ? 

[hardwater diehard]

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/k-drill-ice-auger-replacement-blades?a=2045524

40 bucks free shipping

[jwetovick]

Basics ...Drill on drill mode not on hammer drill.... set to lowest setting 1? When you say they were re sharpened?...by Kdrill ? I believe they can be sharpened up to 3 times ...has your set be sharpened more then once ...twice ?...are they on correctly ?

Very good questions. I purchased it used from a very nice and honest guy that said they were resharpened toward the end of last season. That's all i know. No clue how many times they have been sharpened. I guess i will just bite the bullet and buy an extra set of blades and give it a try. If that dont work then evidently the auger is bent at the bottom.

[Jim F]

the big advantage is weight.
From the videos I've seen, the k-drill does not drill very fast

[eriksat1]

When people say there auger are not cutting fast enough, what is your definition of fast? I consider 1" per second a perfect speed. 12" of ice drill hole in 12 seconds. My 8" K-drill with M18 Fuel is right at about 1" per second. Are people in that big of a hurry that they consider that too slow?

[hardwater diehard]

Very good questions. I purchased it used from a very nice and honest guy that said they were resharpened toward the end of last season. That's all i know. No clue how many times they have been sharpened. I guess i will just bite the bullet and buy an extra set of blades and give it a try. If that dont work then evidently the auger is bent at the bottom.

Must of drilled a lot of holes to have to have them re sharpened ...Kdrill recommends every 2-3 years

http://kdrillauger.com/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/K-Drill-Owners-Manual-2017-Inline.pdf

[jwetovick]

Must of drilled a lot of holes to have to have them re sharpened ...Kdrill recommends every 2-3 years

http://kdrillauger.com/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/K-Drill-Owners-Manual-2017-Inline.pdf

Yes, he did say he's had the drill for about 3yrs. He actually is a member of ice team usa so i assume he took good care of it. Will try brand new blades and see what happens. To another post above, I understand the kdrill is generally slower than other augers but in this case it's just not cutting correctly. I have to kinda move the drill around to get the auger to "bite". Gosh I like how it breaks through the bottom of hole so smooth though. Now i know why guys say they dont need the clam plate with the kdrill.

[hardwater diehard]

Yes, he did say he's had the drill for about 3yrs. He actually is a member of ice team usa so i assume he took good care of it. Will try brand new blades and see what happens. To another post above, I understand the kdrill is generally slower than other augers but in this case it's just not cutting correctly. I have to kinda move the drill around to get the auger to "bite". Gosh I like how it breaks through the bottom of hole so smooth though. Now i know why guys say they dont need the clam plate with the kdrill.

look on the web for pictures of the Kdrill ...particularly the head/blades to see if they are on correctly

PS my new 2017/2018   8in  Kdrill Clam Plate option may hit the ice later today