Electric Drill Auger ....Type for a grumpy old man

[ronbgood55]

Hi guys...age is taking its foll on me. I still punch 6/7 holes each trip with my 5" auger . I had spuds from 1940 Ford rear axles, straight blade auger spoon auger and 8" Jiffy which I gave away to my grandsons. An electric drill  seems right up my alley , The grill type I have NO experience with that is why I'm reaching out to you guys for some in puts. I don't need a Cadillac type at 84 yrs. old I just want something that is better than man power..If you get with what I mean.nothing to beak the bank but gets the job done.....Take Care

[PerchMan45]

Good on you for getting out at 84. That’s something to be proud of.

Electric augers are a big cost but they are definitely the best option. I do not personally own one but plan on getting one soon to replace gas/hand. The Ion augers are the top of the line but they run upwards of $800. I have a friend that swears by Strikemaster electric augers those are probably the next grade down from Ion. Thunder Bay electric I am not familiar with but are cheaper than Ion and Strikemaster.

[lowaccord66]

Ron I like reading that you get out there still.  Would recommend a brushless drill for sure and a clam plate to protect from sudden shock from the drill so you dont risk your wrists. 

[tomb raider]

Don’t know where you live but since you ice fish Forge pond in Granby. I’m guessing you live in the general area.Go see Paul or his kids at Granby Bait. I’m pretty sure they will put you on one that won’t break your bank.

[Chawk190]

Ron I like reading that you get out there still.  Would recommend a brushless drill for sure and a clam plate to protect from sudden shock from the drill so you dont risk your wrists.

Exactly as lowaccord said above. Only thing I have to add is get a composite auger bit too. You can have speed and power for about what a 6” hand auger weighs. My kids bought me a Dewalt DCD999 Flexvolt and an 8” Eskimo pistol bit. With the 6AH Flexvolt battery the combo weighs about the same as my 6” Mora3 steel hand auger. I don’t have a clam plate but I believe they don’t add much more than a pound. For reason of wrist protection as lowaccord mentioned it’s a worthwhile addition. I probably should get one but I’m a stubborn dumbass 65 y.o. “Yute”.

[Ryan51993]

Unfortunately everyone thinks their setup is the best so you will get a million answers and going the cheap route can end up being more expensive in the long run. I went with the Milwaukee fuel hammer drill (you have to get the 250-300$ one, I've seen people with the cheaper ones and they barely work). I also went with the strike master lite flite auger. I believe its both the lightest and the fastest drilling auger so its easier on your drill and batteries than some others. Don't do the hand auger conversion, its nowhere near as good, much heavier and rougher on the drill. The clam plate is 100% a gimmick, if you can put a screw into a 2x4 you can drill a hole through ice with nothing more than the handle that comes with the drill. I've drilled thousands of holes with my setup and never once found it dangerous or thought it needed to be any easier in any way.

[hardwater diehard]

This may be the cheapest option out there will get the job done not my first choice .. as I run a cordless drill set up . Do you want a 6" hole or are all options open?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GBL6C7V?pd_rd_i=B07GBL6C7V&pd_rd_w=g3h9e&pf_rd_p=6cdbaaba-9971-4351-a601-4ac01495563f&pd_rd_wg=rKxwk&pf_rd_r=3JSH9Y67Y2B46WQD3Q2E&pd_rd_r=41b72156-085e-4bd4-b8e1-26bf1fa7ba45

[lowaccord66]

Unfortunately everyone thinks their setup is the best so you will get a million answers and going the cheap route can end up being more expensive in the long run. I went with the Milwaukee fuel hammer drill (you have to get the 250-300$ one, I've seen people with the cheaper ones and they barely work). I also went with the strike master lite flite auger. I believe its both the lightest and the fastest drilling auger so its easier on your drill and batteries than some others. Don't do the hand auger conversion, its nowhere near as good, much heavier and rougher on the drill. The clam plate is 100% a gimmick, if you can put a screw into a 2x4 you can drill a hole through ice with nothing more than the handle that comes with the drill. I've drilled thousands of holes with my setup and never once found it dangerous or thought it needed to be any easier in any way.

Not everyone, why I didnt even mention what I run...and the reduction gears in a clam plate will absolutely save an older persons wrists and I know someone much younger whose milwaukee broke their wrist this year....Ive never had an issue either but it does happen and also neither of us are 85....

[Chawk190]

Ugh, now I have to tell my kids they bought me the wrong drill/auger for Christmas according to Ryan51993…

[OldTowner]

I'd stopped ice fishing when I moved to NH because of a hundred reasons, a new heart valve being one. For Christmas my son-in-law bought me a Vevor auger off Amazon. Not a name brand but so far, with my Ryobi 18v drill, I've drilled well over a hundred holes with no problem. Yesterday it drilled through 28" of ice and used one bar on an older battery. I had the drill so it was worth a shot and so far I'm more than pleased. I wouldn't go with the Vevor over others mentioned as it's an off brand. As far as wrists, I don't push down hard and it slices through the ice fine with no kickback.

[pmaloney86]

Similar discussion on the NY board at the moment.  This is by no means the only way to go about it but gives you a few options along with pros/cons.  I do agree with Jon that a clam plate would be a good idea and I recently saw one with a gear reduction box and it makes the system much less accident prone and allows you to use a slightly less powerful drill.

Dewalt DCD991

Dewalt DCD996

Dewalt DCD997

Dewalt DCD998 must use 6ah or better Flexvolt battery to achieve the higher advertised torque

Dewalt DCD999 must use 6ah or better Flexvolt battery to achieve the higher advertised torque
 
Milwaukee 2804-20

Milwaukee 2803-20

Spec for the proper drill

18V or Higher Brushless Drill

5 Amp Hour or Higher Battery

1/2” Chuck Type

Side Stabilizer /  Handle

Minimum Torque Rating of 84 Nm / 750 in. lbs/800 UWO

DRILL SETTING ....DRILL MODE.. Speed Setting 1  NO HAMMEER MODE !!!


Quote from: grubdropper on Mar 07, 2022, 11:42 AM
Which one do you like best eskamo pistol or strikemaster lite flute?   And why?

They all cut well with the right drill and battery set up ..as I have a 7.5" K-Drill...8"Pistol Bit ..8" SM Lite Flite and a 10" ION Ultra Lite..and had an 8" HT E-Drill..but each has its nuances


All about the blades .1).K-Drill has Chipper style great for dirty ice Slowest and uses more battery ..2)Shaver style blade or Mora type ..Pistol Bit ..HT E-Drill ..Cableas Eze ..pretty fast and can be hand sharpen with some practice ..replacement blades fairly inexpensive . 3) Lazer style blades ..Lite flight .. ..fastest but if used on dirty ice game over ..ie paper weight..replacement blades lil pricey.. I am not familar with the Razr ..but believe they have Lazer style blades .. next is weight ..metal heavier ..composite lighter . Having a center point is a great option ..most hand augers do not ..so skipping on glare ice is quite possible/dangerous . As for the Drill you will be using ..Brushless 725 in/lbs or better with 5ah battery or better..IF YOU GO WITH A UNDER POWERED UNDERTORQUED PICTURE HANGING DRILL SET UP IT WILL BE AN EPIC FAIL EVENTUALLY..Buy the right drill and battery set up .

HT Enterprise E Drill..   Mora/Straight
Eskimo Pistol Bit.......   Mora?Straight
Strikemaster Lite Flite.  Lazer/Curved
K Drill...                      Chipper
Cabelas Eze Drill..........Mora/Straight
Nils.................. ..........$$$
Razr Scout................. .Lazer/Curved

[Snitch#8]

2x for the Milwaukee 18v 1/2 in fuel, brushless, 1260 torque, hammer/drill, coupled with two 5ah batteries, one for the drill, one to put on the charger.  Definitely put the drill on a clam plate.  I don't personally use one, but the extra cost will save your wrists.  I would put a 6in razor auger on the unit.  The drill, batteries, charger and case will run you about $250.  The clam plate about $90 and the razor about $120.  So, depending on where you pick everything up the total cost will be between $500-$600.  If you shop around, you could even get the price down to between $400-$500.  Yes, there are less expensive electric augers out there but try using the $290 auger shown above, to drill holes with or on screws, in your workshop!  A drill is by far the more useful tool and you'll get more bang for the buck.   

[hardwater diehard]

ronbgood55   do you currently own a cordless drill if so make/model and the amp hour battery ?

Best deal on the Clam Gear Drive w/free ship

https://www.thornebros.com/products/clam-auger-conversion-kit-w-gear-box-15501

You can use your current auger drill unit but going to need some height ..Clam Extension fixes that

https://www.thornebros.com/products/clam-drill-auger-extension-9561

I am a Milwaukee fan boy as well as the Clam Plate ...no learning curve with thw plate ..one bad grab w/o the plate ..may result in a twisted wrist or shoulder..could be out for awhile or a season .

Now I have seen several Dewalts in action particularly the DCD996 ..they worked just fine and nothing to sneeze at in my opinon.

[hardwater diehard]

Not the greatest of all time deal ..but $30 bucks off $299 w/buy more save more

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-Fuel-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Hammer-Drill-Driver-Kit-with-Two-5-0-Ah-Batteries-and-Hard-Case-2804-22/305059560

[Nysrx]

Here is a hell of deal on a bare tool. I bought it used from Jeffs garage on Amazon $82 . It is a brand new drill just as advertised. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J8JK9GW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

[Yachtzy]

I sold my Ion a few years back, and went with the cordless drill and kdrill. I am as happy as can be to this day.
It is lightweight, and you can use the drill around the house all year long for many projects. The Ion is only used for one purpose,  only 3 months out of the year, and is heavier than a cordless drill setup.
Clam plates are just one more thing to break, add extra weight, and more money. The side handle that comes with the drill is sufficient in my opinion.

[Nysrx]

I use my Dewalt on both a 6” and 8” Nils. With the Nils you don’t even have to use any down pressure and there is no kick back.  Works awsome with just the handle and 5 amp battery. Just keep the battery in your pocket  on real cold days that’s all.

[RickWakeman]

I was using the Ryobi hammer drill with a clam plate on a mini Nero auger. It worked pretty good but the drill would struggle breaking through and it seemed to get worse after a couple of seasons. I switch to the Milwaukee 2804 (thanks hardwater diehard) this year and it seems to work a lot better.

I haven't tried drilling without the clam plate, but it's definitely pretty easy with it, and I can lay the whole thing down and keep my drill off the ice and snow (usually).

[ronbgood55]

WOW!!! A lot of great info...experience...wi th all sort of procedures for   ice auger conversion..The good and the bad and the ugly ...One thing I have learnt about ice shanty  guys are that there are always willing to help...young and OLD..LOL....I use this info to put a plan together. One of the  things going for me is about 70 yrs of ice fishing...My father gave me a fishing rod when I was 3 yrs. old I remember him coming up the stairs to our cold water flat with that beautiful steel rod. My mother told me she had to keep a close eye on me because I would  go down the stairs of my grandparents house in my diapers yelling to my grandfather who was going fishing" Wait for ME!!!!. Thanks Guys for the info

[V Menzone]

I'd like to know if there any 10 inch bits available for a drill set up?  I'm pretty sure a 1/2 milwaukee can handle it but want to find a light weight bit for it

[hardwater diehard]

I'd like to know if there any 10 inch bits available for a drill set up?  I'm pretty sure a 1/2 milwaukee can handle it but want to find a light weight bit for it

PM sent

[Snitch#8]

Not the greatest of all time deal ..but $30 bucks off $299 w/buy more save more

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-Fuel-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Hammer-Drill-Driver-Kit-with-Two-5-0-Ah-Batteries-and-Hard-Case-2804-22/305059560

  This is the exact set-up I bought three years ago.  This is a "GREAT" deal.  I actually got a 3rd battery with my deal.  Add another $100 for an auger and $100 for the clam plate and you'll have a lightweight auger that will last you many years!!!  I have "never" had to put a second battery onto the drill, while fishing.  We had, on average 18 inches of ice this year, more than any other since I purchased my drill.  I like to drill a lot of holes and using my 6 inch auger I drilled up to 60 holes in a day.  Good luck with whatever drill you happen to buy and I wish you many more years on the ice!!!

[BASSQUATCH]

I'd like to know if there any 10 inch bits available for a drill set up?  I'm pretty sure a 1/2 milwaukee can handle it but want to find a light weight bit for it

[hardwater diehard]

Add both to cart..use code FREESHIP ...total $276 pre tax

https://www.ohiopowertool.com/brands/milwaukee-tools/milwaukee-shockwave-impact-drill-driver-bits/milwaukee-tools-48-32-4006

https://www.ohiopowertool.com/brands/milwaukee-tools/milwaukee-m18-cordless/milwaukee-m18-fuel-drills-drivers/milwaukee-tools-2803-22

[wardo888]

Not everyone, why I didnt even mention what I run...and the reduction gears in a clam plate will absolutely save an older persons wrists and I know someone much younger whose milwaukee broke their wrist this year....Ive never had an issue either but it does happen and also neither of us are 85....

X2. I’m 30 years old and I’ve had that auger catch the wrong way and twist my entire body around; I have the Kdrill with a dewalt. Clam plate is 100% worth it. I’ll be getting one next season.

[lowaccord66]

Yup Ive had some kickback but nothing that bad.