Cordless drill ice auger bits...

[mowin]

Does anyone use one of the bits made for cordless drills to drill your ice holes? 

Do they work well?  Or don't waste your money? 

[Otto]

I have a Strikemaster Lite Flight bit that I bought two years ago.  I run a 18V Milwaukee drill with it.  By far, my best and lightest ice drill.  So much easier and it cuts through in no time at all.   I bring a spare battery, but I have never had the need to use the second battery.   IMO very worth the money! 

Before that I used a Milwaukee "Drywall Mud Mixer" drill, very heavy duty (and heavier in weight) with a Nils bit and an adapter to convert it from hand drill to electric drill.  Also a very good option, but the above setup it lighter. 

[Bucksnbows]

Best ice fishing tool I ever bought. Faster than gas and it “always starts” unlike our old gas model. 

[mowin]

Just now, Bucksnbows said:

Best ice fishing tool I ever bought. Faster than gas and it “always starts” unlike our old gas model. 

What brand is that?  And is that auger plastic? 

[Bucksnbows]

Just now, mowin said:

What brand is that?  And is that auger plastic? 

I’ll have to head out to the shed later to figure out the brand. The lower is all steel and the plastic just makes it lighter. My buddy has one that is all metal and is heavier is all. The ice is completely ground up when it hits the plastic. I’m getting a solid 20 holes per battery on really cold days. Better when it’s warm. I’m using a cordless Dewalt drill. 

[mowin]

I have a Milwaukee cordless hammer drill.  I don't know the specs of it, but I'm reading anything over 600 torque is preferred.  I already have one 5amp hour battery, but I'll probably get another. 

If I need to purchase a different drill, plus the bit, I'm at the same money as a lot of the electric augers.   

[Bucksnbows]

13 minutes ago, mowin said:

I have a Milwaukee cordless hammer drill.  I don't know the specs of it, but I'm reading anything over 600 torque is preferred.  I already have one 5amp hour battery, but I'll probably get another. 

If I need to purchase a different drill, plus the bit, I'm at the same money as a lot of the electric augers.   

I needed to replace one of the earlier Makita cordless drills that was at least 30 years old and bought the Dewalt knowing it would double as my ice drill. I bring three batteries, but have never come close to killing two of them each full day I have used them. A full day for me would be like 9am until 4:30pm. 

Edited December 26, 2022 by Bucksnbows

[Otto]

16 minutes ago, mowin said:

I have a Milwaukee cordless hammer drill.  I don't know the specs of it, but I'm reading anything over 600 torque is preferred.  I already have one 5amp hour battery, but I'll probably get another. 

If I need to purchase a different drill, plus the bit, I'm at the same money as a lot of the electric augers.   

Make sure you are in "Drill" mode, not hammer mode.  And I use the 1 setting, lower speed but higher torque.  And plenty fast enough. 

Even if you have to buy another drill, you will have another drill to use for a lot of other things through out the year. 

[Buckmaster7600]

Yes! Have been using a drill auger combo for over 10 yrs, it’s the only way to go unless you’re fishing every day or in areas that get a ton of ice, like iver 4ft. I have 4,6,8 and 10” bits setup for my drill.  The 10” is only used for late season tournaments when we have a lot of ice but won’t drill more than 10-15 holes. I can get 10-12 holes in 25-30” if ice on a 9 amp battery. The 8” I can get 40-50 holes in the same ice with the 9amp. With the  6” I’ve never killed a 9 amp battery in a day

 

Everyone I know uses a similar setup. 
 

the NILS convertible auger is hands down the best at cutting but they’re heads are finicky and if anything happens they won’t cut. The strikemaster lite flights are a very good all arounder. The ion poly augers are an awesome design and cut a little better than the lite flights but are very expensive as well. That’s what my 10” is.

[mowin]

Looking like the strike master Lite Flight auger is the best bang for the buck.  Might pick one up and try my Milwaukee on it even though it only has 500 torque. 

[Buckmaster7600]

1 minute ago, mowin said:

Looking like the strike master Lite Flight auger is the best bang for the buck.  Might pick one up and try my Milwaukee on it even though it only has 500 torque. 

What size are you getting?

it should work on a 6” it won’t on an 8”

[mowin]

8 minutes ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

What size are you getting?

it should work on a 6” it won’t on an 8”

Really want a 8", but realistically I've never caught a fish that wouldn't fit through a 6" hole, lol.  

Might have to grab a new drill too. 

[Meatball]

If this gets too much of a hijack ,I'll post in the diy section _------

I picked up a mora 8"hand auger last year for free. I was planning on making a drill chuck attachment for it. To take out my DeWalt with a few 4amh batteries. Guess I'll have to check the torque rating. It's a descent hammer drill setup, thought it would work. I'm still starting out, probably only need 10 holes a day. And I'll just keep the 6" hand auger with me, just in case. A friend recommended a 2x4 piece so if it falls out of the chuck, it doesn't find the lake bottom!!

[Bucksnbows]

3 minutes ago, Meatball said:

If this gets too much of a hijack ,I'll post in the diy section _------

I picked up a mora 8"hand auger last year for free. I was planning on making a drill chuck attachment for it. To take out my DeWalt with a few 4amh batteries. Guess I'll have to check the torque rating. It's a descent hammer drill setup, thought it would work. I'm still starting out, probably only need 10 holes a day. And I'll just keep the 6" hand auger with me, just in case. A friend recommended a 2x4 piece so if it falls out of the chuck, it doesn't find the lake bottom!!

The cordless version I have has an upper ring wider than the auger so it can’t fall through. Good idea if you’re making your own. 

[Buckmaster7600]

5 minutes ago, Meatball said:

If this gets too much of a hijack ,I'll post in the diy section _------

I picked up a mora 8"hand auger last year for free. I was planning on making a drill chuck attachment for it. To take out my DeWalt with a few 4amh batteries. Guess I'll have to check the torque rating. It's a descent hammer drill setup, thought it would work. I'm still starting out, probably only need 10 holes a day. And I'll just keep the 6" hand auger with me, just in case. A friend recommended a 2x4 piece so if it falls out of the chuck, it doesn't find the lake bottom!!

Don’t use a 2x4 that’ll hurt if it hits you while spinning. A dollar store frisbee works perfect!