Small Auger for checking Ice Thickness

[Ice Surveyor]

So, I like to fish off the beating path a lot.  Some lakes are void of anglers, so I have to check ice conditions all the time.  Checking ice thickness with my 8" nils can kill a few batteries.   Since I'm using the Milwaukee drill with my nils, I can just switch it out with a wood bit.  I figure if I buy a 12" wood auger bit, and I don't hit water, I'm good to go for a vehicle.  I've used this type of auger bit before on the ice for work purposes, and they cut ice just fine. 

https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-728252-1-inch-12-inch-Auger/dp/B0013WFYMS

Not saying this is the best auger bit, but something like this will do the job. 

[profisher]

Seems like a good idea to me. Im lazy enough where I would probably bring a cheaper second drill with me just for the purpose of checking ice so I didn't have to keep swapping it out with the auger.

[IPAinmyveins]

I've been thinking I'll do the same thing when it starts to warm up, let us know what bit you end up with and how it works!

[SLAYERFISH]

A spud?

[Zeker259]

A spud?

We have a winner 

SPUD, SPUD, SPUD

[Joe in T.C.]

X3 its a spud

I don't recommend checking with a auger or drill bit.
With a auger your standing on the ice your checking, you may know before the auger lets you know 

With a spud you are checking ice in front you.

GREAT VIDEO, thanks for sharing

Good Luck All 

[Seamonkey84]

He’s asking about making sure it’s thick enough for a truck or suv, not foot traffic.

[Joe in T.C.]

Sorry ...my bad 

Right in front of me and it didn't sink in

[Kobey]

Funny you posted this today.  I was thinking the same thing this morning.  I was wondering if a forstner bit with an extension might work.  Plus, if you wanted to check depths, you could get a bit a little bigger than a transducer.  If the ice is good a few inches down you might not even have to drill all the way through, just enough to get past the cloudy ice, then put some water in the hole.  It could also be used to drill a hole next to your regular one to keep the transducer away from your line while jigging.

[Gills-only]

Funny you posted this today.  I was thinking the same thing this morning.  I was wondering if a forstner bit with an extension might work.  Plus, if you wanted to check depths, you could get a bit a little bigger than a transducer.  If the ice is good a few inches down you might not even have to drill all the way through, just enough to get past the cloudy ice, then put some water in the hole.  It could also be used to drill a hole next to your regular one to keep the transducer away from your line while jigging.

.       Unless in a shanty that would freeze in in a heartbeat !!

[Kobey]

.       Unless in a shanty that would freeze in in a heartbeat !!

Doesn't everyone fish in a warm shanty?

[Gills-only]

Maybe everyone but me

[Agronomist_at_IA]

So, I like to fish off the beating path a lot.  Some lakes are void of anglers, so I have to check ice conditions all the time.  Checking ice thickness with my 8" nils can kill a few batteries.   Since I'm using the Milwaukee drill with my nils, I can just switch it out with a wood bit.  I figure if I buy a 12" wood auger bit, and I don't hit water, I'm good to go for a vehicle.  I've used this type of auger bit before on the ice for work purposes, and they cut ice just fine. 

https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-728252-1-inch-12-inch-
Auger/dp/B0013WFYMS

Not saying this is the best auger bit, but something like this will do the job.

Just get a 9ah battery for the Milwaukee, and continue to use the nils

[SKIFFLAKEJIMMY]

I have thought about the augers they use to plant flower bulbs.

[Ice Surveyor]

Just get a 9ah battery for the Milwaukee, and continue to use the nils

I have the 9ah battery.  Even with that, the cold temps we've been having really has an effect on the number of holes I can get.  I could probably drill 1" diameter holes for a week straight instead of the 8" nils. 

[SirCranksalot]

Funny you posted this today.  I was thinking the same thing this morning.  I was wondering if a forstner bit with an extension might work.  Plus, if you wanted to check depths, you could get a bit a little bigger than a transducer.  If the ice is good a few inches down you might not even have to drill all the way through, just enough to get past the cloudy ice, then put some water in the hole.  It could also be used to drill a hole next to your regular one to keep the transducer away from your line while jigging.

I have considered that. My iceducer is nearly 1 3/4" dia. A long bit in that size is quite expensive. I don't know if I could get away with a smaller dia----I assume that the rubber insul around the ducer means that the actual sensor is a fair bit smaller but I don't know how much.h

[WYIfish]

I have solved the problem of ice thickness less than 5" by using my old faithful tool I choose to call "spud".   For finding depth of water column I use my hand held sonar by Marcum, the X-1,  I still have the 10" auger for making a hole but may pick up an 8 inch before next season.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I have the 9ah battery.  Even with that, the cold temps we've been having really has an effect on the number of holes I can get.  I could probably drill 1" diameter holes for a week straight instead of the 8" nils.

Sound like you need to get a light gas auger