Removing Flights from SM Lite Flite

[GBguy]

Any reason not to remove a couple flights from the Strikemaster Lite Flite if you're fishing ice less than the depth/height of the flights? This time of year and earlier, the ice is often a foot or less. Is there any reason the auger needs ~26" of flights? I know the flights work to elevate the ice shavings up out of the hole, but even in thicker ice I think it works better to lift the auger some partway through the hole to clear the ice chips. Removal is as simple as loosening a couple set screws and sliding the collars off, then sliding off the flights and re-installing the collars.

Thoughts?

[hardwater diehard]

Don't see why not ..how much does each section weigh ? is the weight lose substantial ?

[GBguy]

The flights are plastic, so the weight saving is insignificant. The main heavy components are the adapter, the hex steel shaft and the cutting head. With a couple flights removed there is more room to carry the auger over your shoulder if that's your thing.

My Lite Flite with Ridgid Octane drill and 9ah  battery weighed in at 13.2 pounds with the two flights removed.

[JohnJ1981]

Any reason not to remove a couple flights from the Strikemaster Lite Flite if you're fishing ice less than the depth/height of the flights? This time of year and earlier, the ice is often a foot or less. Is there any reason the auger needs ~26" of flights? I know the flights work to elevate the ice shavings up out of the hole, but even in thicker ice I think it works better to lift the auger some partway through the hole to clear the ice chips. Removal is as simple as loosening a couple set screws and sliding the collars off, then sliding off the flights and re-installing the collars.

Thoughts?

I removed one flight from mine with no ill effects that I noticed..... the only thing I can think of is that you would have to pull it up more often if drilling deep due to the missing flights not carrying the debris out.

[hnd]

i guess i see no purpose for this as its saving near 0 weight.  unless you are trying to figure out some way of mounting it i don't see the point. 

[RoeBoat]

I don't have one and don't know how durable the flights are but one thing I thought of is using the one removed as a backup in case one of the others would get damaged.  The few inches of ice we fish in Indiana only takes about 8" of flight to get the ice out of the hole most years!

[GBguy]

That's a good idea, RoeBoat. My experience with their customer service so far has been pretty good. I bet if one got busted during normal us, they'd send a new one out at no cost, but I can't say for sure.

Each flight measures about 4", so with 2 removed I cleared up 8" of extra space between the adapter and the top flight for carrying over the shoulder. There are 7 flights in total on the auger in its original configuration. For 8" of ice, you could probably remove 4 flights and still be just fine.

[hardwater diehard]

I don't have one and don't know how durable the flights are but one thing I thought of is using the one removed as a backup in case one of the others would get damaged.  The few inches of ice we fish in Indiana only takes about 8" of flight to get the ice out of the hole most years!

Don't know it you need to remove it ..if one should get damaged ..just shuffle the damaged flight ..or you could remove it ..squirrel it away ..and then wonder where you did ..I have some brand new gear ..that has been squirreled away..I am sure to post it on the future thread  "Does anyone remember these" or maybe on an Antique Roadshow segment .

[RoeBoat]

I can definitely see myself "misplacing" my spares.  I'm sure they would send you new ones but you might not have them when you need them, just like the misplaced ones!