Broke a Milwaukee M18 fuel drilling a hole - pictures- feedback requested

[3300]

lefty, that's not true unless it has a gear box added. the plate only takes the weight of the bit away from the drill and gives added support for those who feel they want more control of using a extra large handle. guessing most of them would be folks converting from gas to cordless systems.
but now with this years version of their best drill casting cracking at the side handle location, a plate is needed to keep that from happening. they will only repair it two times under warranty.

[Evil Tom]

Don't forget the drills aren't designed to cut 5-6-7" holes with or without stupid waste of money clam plate.I use  rigid model but only use early season less than 10" of ice.

[3300]

basket saws are 6 inches and bigger and the drill is designed to use them and the wood or steel they are designed to cut is much tougher than frozen water. some of the drills are failing because of apparent casting issues.
if you can cut 10" of ice is will cut another 10" of ice and another.

[Papa Sly]

Never happened to my Ion, 4 tears and running strong!

[Light liner]

Yup that's what mine did. Went to a rigid 2 years ago never looked back.