Drill for NILS

[chasdc1]

I've got an 8" NILS and wanna get a cordless drill to power it. I would like to have an ability to drill about 15-20 holes on a single charge-- usually through 8 to 10 inches of ice.
I'd appreciate your input regarding brand, model and battery capacity of drills that work for you!
Thanks--Chas

[hardwater diehard]

Dewalt DCD991

Dewalt DCD996

Dewalt DCD997

Dewalt DCD998 must use 6ah or better Flexvolt battery to achieve the higher advertised torque

Dewalt DCD999 must use 6ah or better Flexvolt battery to achieve the higher advertised torque
 
Milwaukee 2804-20

Milwaukee 2803-20

Spec for the proper drill

18V or Higher Brushless Drill

5 Amp Hour or Higher Battery

1/2” Chuck Type

Side Stabilizer /  Handle

Minimum Torque Rating of 84 Nm / 750 in. lbs/800 UWO

DRILL SETTING ....DRILL MODE.. Speed Setting 1  NO HAMMEER MODE !!!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-Fuel-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Hammer-Drill-Driver-Kit-with-Two-5-0-Ah-Batteries-and-Hard-Case-2804-22/305059560?MERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-305980496-_-305059560-_-N&

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-XR-POWER-DETECT-1-2-in-20-Volt-Max-Variable-Speed-Brushless-Cordless-Hammer-Drill-1-Battery-Included/1002097694

                       USE CODE: WELCOMEBACK for $15 off 


https://www.cpooutlets.com/dewalt-dcd999t1-20v-max-brushless-lithium-ion-1-2-in.-cordless-hammer-drill-driver-kit-with-flexvolt-advantage--6-ah-/dewndcd999t1.html

[chasdc1]

Thanks Hardwater!

[hardwater diehard]

Thanks Hardwater!

I added a drill...use code WELCOMEBACK..are you in a battery platform now

https://www.cpooutlets.com/dewalt-dcd999t1-20v-max-brushless-lithium-ion-1-2-in.-cordless-hammer-drill-driver-kit-with-flexvolt-advantage--6-ah-/dewndcd999t1.html

[chasdc1]

Nope-- this will be a completely new purchase.

[hardwater diehard]

Nope-- this will be a completely new purchase.

I am a Milwaukee fanboy ..and I love the Clam Plate as well . but I have seen some Dewalts in action and was impressed . Since you have a good drill bit ..do not choose an inferior drill ..epic fail eventually .. buy once cry once .

[Fishmon]

I have the Milwaukee M-18 with a 9amp hr. battery.  You will never run that battery down with the Nils 8". You will also be amazed at how fast it will cut through a foot or more of ice.  I added a clam plate for safety reasons but you can use the drill with attached side handle and it will do the job.  Those brushless drills have a lot of torque.

[hardwater diehard]

chasdc1 PM sent

[MC_angler]

I have a 6" Nils and a Milwaukee 2804 with 5ah batteries. Thing is absolutely amazing. Yet to drain a single battery drilling up to 600 inches of ice in an outing

It's a luxury but it's SUPER nice to have the Clam Plate and adapter for the nils. I find it more ergonomic to drill with it, so it saves my body wear and tear.   It also precludes the need to either buy or make an adapter plate to make sure the auger doesn't fall down the hole in case it comes off the drill chuck

[billybob851]

I use the Milwaukee 2804-20 with an 8 inch nils and love it. walks right through the ice.  I used the kovac adapter.. best purchase ever.... well, besides Livescope

[Piketipper]

What settings do you use on your Milwaukee?  Mine is great on thinner ice but we are now well over a foot and it bogs down.  Maybe the blades are getting bad?

Mine says it’s a 2704-20?

[RStock521]

Drill setting 1. My 2704 on an 8" Nils has drilled as much as 30" of ice and people are always amazed by it.

[bigfoot86]

I have a 6" nils with the dewalt 991 with two 4ah batteries.  Recently I was drilling through 11-12" of ice, probably 40+ holes and I still had juice left in the first battery.  That setup cuts so fast and so smooth.  It's like a bullet goin through the ice.  I love that combo.

[mbart]

What settings do you use on your Milwaukee?  Mine is great on thinner ice but we are now well over a foot and it bogs down.  Maybe the blades are getting bad?

Mine says it’s a 2704-20?

Drill mode on the application collar and #1 on the speed selector.

[hardwater diehard]

What settings do you use on your Milwaukee?  Mine is great on thinner ice but we are now well over a foot and it bogs down.  Maybe the blades are getting bad?

Mine says it’s a 2704-20?

Drill mode and speed of 1..no hammer mode

[filetandrelease]

Drill mode and speed of 1..no hammer mode

X2

[Light liner]

I run a 8” nills on a Rigid octane with 9 ah batteries works great.

[chasdc1]

Thanks for everyone's input!
I'm gonna get a  Kovacs Ice Master to attach the 8" nils to a Milwaukee M18 FUEL.
Best current local deal I could find was Home Depot-- M18 FUEL, handle, hard case, charger and 2 5Ah batteries-- $269.
Sound about right?
I'll run the auger with just the drill this year and see how it works out-- might get a Clam Plate for next season if running with just the drill gets gnarly.

[MC_angler]

Thanks for everyone's input!
I'm gonna get a  Kovacs Ice Master to attach the 8" nils to a Milwaukee M18 FUEL.
Best current local deal I could find was Home Depot-- M18 FUEL, handle, hard case, charger and 2 5Ah batteries-- $269.
Sound about right?
I'll run the auger with just the drill this year and see how it works out-- might get a Clam Plate for next season if running with just the drill gets gnarly.

look in the deals threads, there are a few deals that could save you maybe 50 bucks plus get you some other goodies

such as

Must add both to cart to $100 off for a pre tax/shipping total  of $218

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/901037-milwaukee-48-32-4006-40-piece-shockwave-drill-and-drive-set.html

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1138238-milwaukee-2804-22-m18-fuel-18v-1-2-hammer-drill-kit.html




https://www.farmandfleet.com/promo-deal/?offerID=5635

[chasdc1]

MC-- Thanks for the heads-up!
I'll check it out.

[lowaccord66]

8" nils and milwaukee.  Auger is beat, paints falling off.  Drills like a dream.

[Uppervalley Kid]

I run an older 18V Makita that I have had since 2010 thing still works great.