New guy, new equipment

[Raptortrapper]

Hello all.  I've been ice fishing for several years, but don't get on the computer much.  I found this forum, and have completely enjoyed it.  I just spent a little over $80 at Custom Jigs & Spins that advertises on here, and could have spent much more!  That place is amazing!  The quality of everything looks great. 

Got a question though-- I only have a hand auger.  6" diameter.  Do those drill adapters really work?  I had a buddy telling me that he saw one on ebay, and was thinking about getting one.  Anyone ever try them?

Thanks, and good fishin!

Paul

[coldfingers]

Yes, the drill works great. I use a Dewalt with the new 4amp battery. Drilled 24 holes, 8 to 9 inches each, and still had battery to spare. I love it. Great for lakes in Pa.

[Raptortrapper]

Perfect!  Thanks!  If it works in PA, I'm sure it will do just fine in Colorado.  We have about 12" ice here at the local watering hole, so I guess I'll get one and give it a try.

Thanks for the help.

[Huntnfishvt]

By far the best investment I've made this year.  I'll never go back to hand drilling again and there's no gas to worry about.

[Raptortrapper]

Yeah that's why I went with a hand auger in the first place.  Didn't want to worry about gas, or a motor.  I'm not a mechanic....

[StevenB]

Welcome to the Shanty!  It is an awesome site.....enjoy and tight Lines!
Steve

[fowl_language]

Welcome to the shanty!  I've known and seen lots of guys with drills and augers 6" or less, seem to do a lot of holes if they have the amp hours on their drill.  I've thought about changing the gas for hand held quite a few times!

Do you really trap raptors? That's awesome! Do you do it for falconry or for public service? Either way, good on you that is a cool deal.

[Raptortrapper]

Yeah, I really do trap raptors.  The one in my avatar is my current Red Tailed Hawk.  She is a large one.  Trapped her November 5th of this past year.  I hunt cottontails, jackrabbits, pheasants, and squirrels with her.  I've been doing it for 18 years now, and had many many different kinds of raptors over the years.  I've done presentations for schools, boy scouts, girl scouts, church groups, home school groups, and probably a few others I've forgotten.

[iceman260]

Welcome aboard, yes the adapters work great with a quality made drill with at least 18 volts.

[fowl_language]

That is a beautiful bird! Always wanted to try out here, especially because we have a decent liberal falconry season, just don't have the time or personal constitution the bird deserves.

Good luck in both hunting and ice fishing!  Check out the best drill topics under the search bar, there are pretty good discussions on which drill models have produced the most holes for folks with the adapter.

[Raptortrapper]

My apologies for getting off topic there.  She is a lot of fun, and I get sidetracked easily when talking about falconry.  Back to topic...

I already have a Ridgid 18 volt drill from when I was an electrician, so it should work just fine.  I just need to find the right adapter for my auger, and I'll be in business.  I saw a lot of them on ebay after my buddy told me about them, so it should be easy to find one.  Glad to know it works, and I'll certainly get one ordered.

[mike 7]

Welcome
Money well spent. I have dewalt 18 volt and It works great

[mr.clean]

Raptortrapper welcome to Ice Shanty ditto the comments on your hawk. I believe you want to get the Clam Drill Plate has a separate bearing in the plate that helps save wear on your drill. You do have to remove your drill's chuck to use the plate,from the threads I've read use 3 amp hour or higher batteries and a drill with a high torque rating. There is also a unit called the K-drill you can check You Tube for videos on both units. A member Reelemin (Kevin) who fishes a lot of tournaments across the United States has the Clam plate and speaks highly of the unit. Definitely do a search and go through the various threads on this topic.
Steve

[ICEHOLE]

Rigid hammer drills "fuego" 18v or miwaukee fuel or higher are best bet due to torque numbers. I have the rigid new to me this year with 4ah. I went against everything I read and decided to us my new more 8" on early ice. Work fast and flawlessly with little battery drain we are talkin 20-30 holes. This stood true between 6-8" of ice. Now with about 10-11" its working hard and will even stop halfway thru drilling unless I drill slowly. Im 90% satisfied with my purchase. I knew before hand 8" auger wasnt ideal, ive always fished a 6" but now after the 8" its gonna be tough to down size. But I have NO doubt the 6" will rip thru ice all day

[Raptortrapper]

Icehole, what adapter are you using?  Did some research on that clam plate.  I like the idea, but man, the Ridgid drills are freakin tough, and mine has been to hell and back, and still works like a champ.  Has a lifetime warranty, so I may just go with the other adapter so I don't have to take the drill apart and risk losing the lifetime warranty on the drill.

Thanks for all the help fellas.

[ICEHOLE]

Icehole, what adapter are you using?  Did some research on that clam plate.  I like the idea, but man, the Ridgid drills are freakin tough, and mine has been to hell and back, and still works like a champ.  Has a lifetime warranty, so I may just go with the other adapter so I don't have to take the drill apart and risk losing the lifetime warranty on the drill.

Thanks for all the help fellas.

I went with the ice master adapter http://www.fishusa.com/product/Ice-Master-Ice-Auger-Power-Drill-Conversion-Kit?utm_source=google_ps&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_ps&gclid=CjwKEAiAo8emBRCX_OqU4qek6y8SJACzgf8ftM7y5_Deup7mPU8LhCTJpF-6lliE72LkKpbWy7tPHhoCxaXw_wcB
and a mora 12" extension http://www.fishusa.com/product/StrikeMaster-Hand-Auger-Extension--12
in all honesty I snapped the side arm that comes with the drill the very first time out on the ice, was attaching it to the drill and it just snapped. junk IMO but rigid sent me a new one no questions asked. since then I have used it without the arm as it is not needed as far as im concerned.
and as far as the clam plate the size of it and the piles of bad reviews makes it not seem worth even $60. I don't need anything more in my sled...trust me
I understand it takes load off the drill (somehow, not an engineer) but with a lifetime warranty im not sure I really care...time will tell

[SeisMec]

Welcome to the boards!!

[IceAddict87]

Ice Master, stay away from the aptly named nimrod, I no longer have 6" auger because of that darn thing.

[ICEHOLE]

Ice Master, stay away from the aptly named nimrod, I no longer have 6" auger because of that darn thing.

you want to give a little more info on how? I have had no issues, and have not read any issues seems fool proof unless the bungee lets go....