cordless drill to check ice depth???

[BojiHawk]

I was thinking....I'm tired of lugging spuds and chisels with me and with iffy ice I was wondering:  I have a long extended 7/8" drill bit....like 18" long for drilling post and beam.  What would stop a guy from using that with a long piece of aluminum with a little bend on the end....bout 3/8" think and a foot long and calibrated to stick down that hole and show ice depth???  I know that bit will cruise through ice...has anyone tried to do this???  I'm not taking stupid pills here am I???  If so....I'll switch to the patch. 

[1TIGGER]

Either way you're on the ice ! I would just carry a spud and not risk dropping or falling on an expensive drill .

[GasBlaster]

IT will work fine . I drill all my holes with a cordless . Last year I got 16 holes on one battery in 17" of hard black ice .

[BojiHawk]

Holy Holes batman!  I saw one of those on E-Bay....and that is my exact drill!  Wow...I didnt think they would work.  Looks like you had a little invention there yourself to get it done...sweet.   What is the voltage on that battery?

[fshnfool]

I remember you posting that pic last winter GB......sweet set up!   You oughta be able to go all season with that one battery this year...

[billditrite]

the idea behind carrying the spud is to check how solid the ice you are about to step on is ...it can be 6" thick but if my spud goes through in one whack im not taking another step...on early ice thickness and quality of ice changes quick...whack...step.. .whack...step...   

[BojiHawk]

I lost one spud this year doing that...first 10 feet or so was fine....3"....so I took a long wack (no wrist strap) and it flew right threw the ice and was sticking up through the hole about 4"...I said "forget it".   Little hint - Don't lend me your spud during early ice.

[GasBlaster]

well thats a 19 volt . I does take a good strong drill . That is also only a 6 inch auger . I tried some with an eight inch . It was a little to much for it . only got like 6 or 8 holes on a battery .   There good for drilling holes , But a whack with the spud does sound better for checking  the ice

[jacksmelt71]

scott do you use a homemade chisel to check ice thickness or one of them mille de lacs chisels. it must make a diff.  the homemade chisels dont penetrate as far as the mille de lacs do. im new to this ice checking thing because its usually not a issue up here after dec. 15. i use a homemade job and 3 wacks in the same spot before it goes thru is safe for my 250lb. frame. less than 3 and i back off.

[esox13]

You can buy the adapter to make your hand drill into a power drill at Gander Mtn for $19.99 - I reccommend the buying the handle as well.

Unfortunately I do not have the skill or talent to be able to make the adapter myself - I am told it wouldn't take much to make it so I am delegated to being a consumer.