M 18 Fuel

[kriggan1]

I have used a Ridgid 18 v for the last few years on my clam plate and had been pretty satisfied with its performance as long as I could keep the batteries warm.  After reading everyones post about how amazing the k-drill/ M18 combo was I dropped the $$ for the drill part of it today.  After fishing all day and drilling lots of holes, I feel like an idiot for not switching sooner.  I am a BELIEVER! If you are on the fence, take the leap and invest in the new drill and you will not look back

[dunnym1984]

yes, it is a no brainer to me. i have the m18 fuel 2704 drill and the kdrill and love it. gas auger collects dust in the garage for at least 8 months of the year. With the kdril setup at least you have a sweet drill that can be used year round . I do still love my strikemaster solo 154 with the 10 inch 224 bit, but i dont think i will ever go back to gas.
 to each there own

[lefty2053]

I have used a Ridgid 18 v for the last few years on my clam plate and had been pretty satisfied with its performance as long as I could keep the batteries warm.  After reading everyones post about how amazing the k-drill/ M18 combo was I dropped the $$ for the drill part of it today.  After fishing all day and drilling lots of holes, I feel like an idiot for not switching sooner.  I am a BELIEVER! If you are on the fence, take the leap and invest in the new drill and you will not look back

What kind of temperatures are you ice fishing at? I have been out several times now with my Ridgid Brushless and I let the battery sit on the ice when I am not using it. Pick it up and it drills just fine. I guess you are in a much colder climate than Colorado. I haven't been in the real cold yet this year but I usually don't go when it is colder than -10 anyway. Did go once last year and it never got above -17 for the day. Didn't have the Drill then.

[52isntbigenough]

I have used a Ridgid 18 v for the last few years on my clam plate and had been pretty satisfied with its performance as long as I could keep the batteries warm.  After reading everyones post about how amazing the k-drill/ M18 combo was I dropped the $$ for the drill part of it today.  After fishing all day and drilling lots of holes, I feel like an idiot for not switching sooner.  I am a BELIEVER! If you are on the fence, take the leap and invest in the new drill and you will not look back

Milwaukee Electric designs these drills/batteries for construction applications in a wide variety of temps. They are cold weather engineered/tested.

[lefty2053]

 This unique to Milwaukee® design also allows the battery to operate in extreme cold weather conditions (below OoF/-18oC).
And this is from Ridgid's web site.  Best-in-class extreme weather performance in temperatures as low as -4° and up to 120°F SO I don't see why one could be considered better than the other. 

You said you have been using the Ridgid for a few years. Is it possible your batteries are just getting old? The LSA will cover that if you registered them.

[Charman03]

I have a brand new rigid on clam plate with 6 inch lazer. Thing cuts awesome first/second round of holes. Seems after that the drill constantly keeps shutting off regardless if I use a new battery. Frustrated with it. Drills fine at first but not by later on in trip

[lefty2053]

I have a brand new rigid on clam plate with 6 inch lazer. Thing cuts awesome first/second round of holes. Seems after that the drill constantly keeps shutting off regardless if I use a new battery. Frustrated with it. Drills fine at first but not by later on in trip

Do you do anything to keep the batteries warm?  And how cold is it your talking about? Just curious and hope mine doesn't have the same problems.

[Junkie4Ice]

Do you do anything to keep the batteries warm?  And how cold is it your talking about? Just curious and hope mine doesn't have the same problems.

This past weekend I got to test out the battery capacity on the MKE-2703. First battery I kept outside in the cold (-18 degrees) and was able to get 28 holes at 16" with it. Second battery I would keep in my shanty, heater wasn't on as I wasn't in it, but it was significantly warmer than outside. I drilled 25 holes before calling it a day and still had 3/4 of the battery left. It functions just fine in the cold, but battery life definitely declines.

[lefty2053]

This past weekend I got to test out the battery capacity on the MKE-2703. First battery I kept outside in the cold (-18 degrees) and was able to get 28 holes at 16" with it. Second battery I would keep in my shanty, heater wasn't on as I wasn't in it, but it was significantly warmer than outside. I drilled 25 holes before calling it a day and still had 3/4 of the battery left. It functions just fine in the cold, but battery life definitely declines.

How many of the 28 holes did you drill when you first got there? And how long after that did you drill more?

[ifc202]

Same problem with the Rigid. Hopefully HD will let me exchange for the Milwaukee.

[3300]

Same problem with the Rigid. Hopefully HD will let me exchange for the Milwaukee.

under 90 days they will.

[Charman03]

Do you do anything to keep the batteries warm?  And how cold is it your talking about? Just curious and hope mine doesn't have the same problems.

I keep the one battery on the drill in my sled, and another battery usually wrapped up in a face mask in my bucket. Don't do anything to keep them warm. It's been colder than usual here in Pennsylvania but haven't been fishing any worse that 20 degrees F I'd say

[jethro]

I run about 250 guys on average for one of the largest, non-union commercial drywall firms in the northeast and there is no comparing the drills. The Rigid is homeowner grade, the Milwaukee is Commercial grade. It's like comparing the performance of a Prius to a Porsche. I love when people brag about how much cheaper they can get the Rigid drill and warranty it forever... I wouldn't use one if you gave it to me for free to be honest. The Milwaukee is that much better.

Also note that if you buy at Home Depot and get a combo drill and impactor, you get two 5ah batteries and a free 9ah battery. I just bought one the other day. $399 for that deal. Battery is $169 alone.

My guys have been framing an exterior, heavy gauge cold formed steel job with these tools for the past 3 weeks. They just work in the cold.

[Gills-only]

I run about 250 guys on average for one of the largest, non-union commercial drywall firms in the northeast and there is no comparing the drills. The Rigid is homeowner grade, the Milwaukee is Commercial grade. It's like comparing the performance of a Prius to a Porsche. I love when people brag about how much cheaper they can get the Rigid drill and warranty it forever... I wouldn't use one if you gave it to me for free to be honest. The Milwaukee is that much better.

Also note that if you buy at Home Depot and get a combo drill and impactor, you get two 5ah batteries and a free 9ah battery. I just bought one the other day. $399 for that deal. Battery is $169 alone.

My guys have been framing an exterior, heavy gauge cold formed steel job with these tools for the past 3 weeks. They just work in the cold.

.         I agree with u but most are stuck on the warranty, like the Chevy ford debate !!

[lovin life]

Fished in PA this past weekend. -4 to start the morning and peaked out at 7.  We drill tons of holes and went thru 1 battery, and started the second one.  When I say a lot of holes, i'd say 100 at a minimum  All fuel batteries that were not used, were at full charge at the end of the day, as usual, even sitting in the insane cold all day.  Fuel batteries and drills are the REAL DEAL !  Set up is a 6" Nils, on a Clam Plate with Milwalkee Fuel drill and 5AH batteries.

[Charman03]

Am I reading correctly at Home Depot?  M18 comes with 3 5mah batteries?  $130 more I might just swap the rigid. Although the rigid cut fine today. I got 85 more days to make my decision

[gola yona]

I have used a Ridgid 18 v for the last few years on my clam plate and had been pretty satisfied with its performance as long as I could keep the batteries warm.  After reading everyones post about how amazing the k-drill/ M18 combo was I dropped the $$ for the drill part of it today.  After fishing all day and drilling lots of holes, I feel like an idiot for not switching sooner.  I am a BELIEVER! If you are on the fence, take the leap and invest in the new drill and you will not look back

Yeah freaking awesome isn't it. Hi five for making the switch over.

[RStock521]

Am I reading correctly at Home Depot?  M18 comes with 3 5mah batteries?  $130 more I might just swap the rigid. Although the rigid cut fine today. I got 85 more days to make my decision

  The 2704-22 kit comes with (2) 5.0ah batteries.  Acme Tools had a promo at one point for an extra battery with the kit, plus 20% off.  The $299 kit came to $240 with free shipping and 3 total batteries.  That's the best deal that I've personally seen this year.

[Ice Scratcher]

I run about 250 guys on average for one of the largest, non-union commercial drywall firms in the northeast and there is no comparing the drills. The Rigid is homeowner grade, the Milwaukee is Commercial grade. It's like comparing the performance of a Prius to a Porsche. I love when people brag about how much cheaper they can get the Rigid drill and warranty it forever... I wouldn't use one if you gave it to me for free to be honest. The Milwaukee is that much better.

You sound like you have an axe to grind with Ridgid?

I've been using cordless power tools on a professional level before Paul Gilbert used a Makita..

If Milwaukee is Commercial, and Ridgid is home owners, then Ryobi, Black and Decker, Craftsman, must be for toddlers to play with...

Milwaukee is commercial, Ridgid is professional.. The difference is actually who is buying the tools vs who is using them.. I know plenty of pros that run Ridgid, they paid for theirs.. A lot of Milwaukee tools I see in guys hands where bought by the company (commercial) they work for.. Not saying there's not going to be exceptions either, especially here talking about turning augers..

I've seen a lot more Milwaukee tools break than Ridgid, especially on this forum..

I own and use both Milwaukee and Ridgid tools, and use Milwaukee at work. I actually prefer my Ridgid drills simply because of ergonomics, I hate the forward/reverse button on Milwaukee drills..

Prius to Porsche lol, (pretty big gap, just talking about little cordless hand tools here lol)

<°)))>{

[RyanW]

I've been using cordless power tools on a professional level before Paul Gilbert used a Makita..

This is the best thing I’ve ever read on IceShanty!

[Ice Scratcher]

This is the best thing I’ve ever read on IceShanty!

Dang! Lol Ha ha ha.. I thought the lakes would thaw and turn over before anyone caught that!!

<°)))>{

[bus33]

That is pure gold right there ^^^^^^^^