Experiment

[Doeslayer]

So i tried my clan plate with gear box and drill combo today for the 1st time.... I only have 1.5 amp hour batteries so expectations were low.... 1st i used my buddies brand new lazer shaver hand auger.... Cut 18 holes in 6.5 inches of ice no problem then i out on an eskimo 6 inch shaver and cut 6 more..... Still have 2 bars on the battery.... Im pumped... Might sell the jiffy

[MC_angler]

Electric augers are pretty awesome!

I have a 5ah battery on my Milwaukee and clam plate with a 6 inch Nils.    I drilled at least 75 holes this weekend (so about 400 inches of ice) and had 2 bars left on the battery

With 2 5ah batteries I'm pretty much guaranteed to never run out unless I'm hole hopping like crazy through 20 inches of ice

[Doeslayer]

I think without the gearbox on the clam plate id need bigger batteries

[IcingOut]

I have a new$99 Ryobi (2 ah battery) hammer drill with a right-angle grips for firm control, attached to auger adapter pin and cheap auger. It cuts terrific (speed + hole#). I have less than $200 in the entire rig and no regrets:-)

[icefishman]

Seriously thinking of selling 3hp jiffy

[hardwater diehard]

I think without the gearbox on the clam plate id need bigger batteries

Thin ice ...low torque brushless drill..low amp hour battery..gear reduction Clam Plate you can and probably get away with that on a 6 ich set up .drilling alot of holes Start changing things up ...thicker ice things will change ...going to an 8" auger defiantly is going to change things up ..from 6" to 8" auger you are cutting twice as much ice .


What drill are you using?

Also if your current set up is the one you posted a lil bit ago ..I notice some things on your previously posted picture that helps some 

Loosen the U bolt ..loosen the drills chuck ..move the drill up some ...next move the trigger back to the other slot ..leave things loose till you get it "right" ..the trigger pull should be parallel/even with the mounting plate and all other connections should be at 90 degrees. This accomplishes a couple things ..the trigger pull will be even with the handle and Plate of the plate..so your thumb wont be reaching over the top to grasp the trigger pull ..also the trigger could get jammed on the handle the way it is now VERY Dangerous situation (remember to always remove the battery for adjustment and transport ..ask me how I know this) .  Adding a rubber washer or castration ring take the slop out of the trigger

[Doeslayer]

Thanks HWDH  that pic was when i first got it.... I played with it till it fit just right after..... The 7 inch lazer auger my buddy had cut like butter.... The 6 inch eskimo took a little longer but still did the job.... The drill i have is 500lb of torque....

[hardwater diehard]

Thanks HWDH  that pic was when i first got it.... I played with it till it fit just right after..... The 7 inch lazer auger my buddy had cut like butter.... The 6 inch eskimo took a little longer but still did the job.... The drill i have is 500lb of torque....

Good luck with your set up . Them lazers cut fast ..but be carful of dirty/sandy/road salt ice ..bare area and beaches can blow dirt and sand quite aways ..also  ATV and Snowmobile paths new/old can bring/deposit dirt and sand onto ice.

[Iceassin]

The one thing I have found over the years that I have used the auger/drill set up? Easy does it. Meaning I don't just lay on the drill hell bent for leather, trying to cut a hole at warp speed...regardless of how big the drill and battery, how big the auger or how thick the ice. No matter how slow I go, it is still faster and easier than by hand. So I'm in and out of the hole, up and down, giving it a rest so to speak. Think about it.  We're drilling through "water that has turned to concrete" with up to an 8" drill bit! There are not many drill bit sets out there that even have over a 1/4" bit in them for a cordless drill. Ok...1" wood bits and 3" hole saws are kinda normal...but still. Personally I use a Ryobi P251 w/750# of torque and 4ah batteries with 4 and 6" augers. But I would feel just as comfortable with 500# and 2ah batteries with the same augers. All I have to do is remember what I have in my hands and what I'm trying to do with it.

[zcm_82]

Valid point on speed.

I've been using a cheap 500# (if I remember, it could be 450 or 550) drill a couple seasons now without a problem, but I'm not drilling a ton of holes through a bunch of ice, and I take it easy on the trigger. I did switch from a Lazer hand bit back to a Mora bit this year, though, because I got tired of the bottom grab with the Lazer.  I do run a 4ah battery. I've tried a 2ah, and got cut outs when punching through more than 5-6" of ice. Never had it cut out on me with the 4ah. Max ice thickness I've ever used it on is 11" though. We rarely see over 12" around here.

If the drill eventually craps out, I'm not gonna cry over it. I typically only drill a couple holes a day, though, so I imagine it's still got some lifespan left.

[Doeslayer]

I can't lie with the clam plate with the gearbox i run it all out but the gear box slows it way down

[TFish57]

Sold my Jiffy last year. Got a Ryobi 750 ft lb hammer drill, 6 ah batteries, lite flight 8”, and a clam plate with no gear box. Haven’t tried it yet. I’m a little woriried about the 8” auger. Should have bought the 6”.

[TFish57]

By the way, I added this trigger spring set-up that I saw on YouTube. I like it.

[Joe in T.C.]

With all the positive talk on the clam plate, I finally got one.

I'm using a Ryobi 750 ft-lb drill, 6 ah batteries, and an 8" StrikeMaster Lazer Auger.

Works great! should have got one a couple of years ago. 

Thanks for the input.

[Doeslayer]

With all the positive talk on the clam plate, I finally got one.

I'm using a Ryobi 750 ft-lb drill, 6 ah batteries, and an 8" StrikeMaster Lazer Auger.

Works great! should have got one a couple of years ago. 

Thanks for the input.

(Image removed from quote.)

did you get the one with the gearbox? It makes a heck of a difference.... If not you can always add it later

[SirCranksalot]

By the way, I added this trigger spring set-up that I saw on YouTube. I like it.

I just wrapped some elec tape around the shaft of the trigger to take out the slop

[bluegillJake]

With all the positive talk on the clam plate, I finally got one.

I'm using a Ryobi 750 ft-lb drill, 6 ah batteries, and an 8" StrikeMaster Lazer Auger.

Works great! should have got one a couple of years ago. 

Thanks for the input.

(Image removed from quote.)

Exactly how I started with my Clamplate 4yrs ago!  Absolutely the best, I switched drills only because I inherited 19.2V High Torque Craftsman.

[3300]

I can't lie with the clam plate with the gearbox i run it all out but the gear box slows it way down

Try speed 2 or faster speed on drill since it's an experiment

[Joe in T.C.]

did you get the one with the gearbox? It makes a heck of a difference.... If not you can always add it later

Thanks, I didn't know they made two types. I will need to add the gearbox for sure.

The guy I work with saw my setup and sent me a picture.

[hardwater diehard]

Joe in T.C.  Good luck with your set up technically it meets the specifications for a cordless set up ...getting the gear reduction power drive will help things ..but slow things down as well . Check Amazon Warehouse ..they pop in there from time to time

[Doeslayer]

Try speed 2 or faster speed on drill since it's an experiment

well that was interesting.... It doesnt have the torque eith the 1.5 ah battery.... But biy she was singing for a second lol

[3300]

Battery shut down. 5 amp or more might be the ticket.

[TFish57]

I’m not going to get the gearbox. I drilled 40 holes yesterday and I like the speed that I get just using the variable trigger on the drill. Just my opinion.

[Doeslayer]

Im almost certain my drill isnt enough without the gearbox.... And no sense in trying ti burn it up.... Im more than likely going to upgrade to the big dog next season

[hardwater diehard]

Thanks, I didn't know they made two types. I will need to add the gearbox for sure.

The guy I work with saw my setup and sent me a picture.

(Image removed from quote.)

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