Finally finished my 110v Ice auger Pics posted

[merrier212]

I would have bought the volt but there are a couple things that would not work for me personally.

1. my batteries are not easily accessible.

2. the cord is small

you can pick up a used drill like i have on hsolist for well under $100

[B-man715]

Hey Merrier,

Glad to see the drill is working out for you! I knew when you posted about it that all you would catch is grief (like I did)

It is easy for people to criticize something new that they haven't tried yet themselves.....

But just smile away as you drill every hole without fumes and the ability to flush a hole clean with the forward/reverse capabilities. All for a fraction of the cost of other powerheads!

Just got back from Upper Red, my 120volt Milwaukee ripped through the 16" of ice without a problem. We moved a few times too, it was great not fuming the shack up everyday....

[Gordie]

What kind of 2 speed drill? My hole hawg only runs at 300 rpms And is easy to control. It has stuck on me and was very easy to control. I use these often and drill through some very strong timbers... the ice is much more forgiving then hard wood timbers.

As I said it was a two speed Ice auger That I had purchased at a garge sale and I used a auger bit from a hand auger and if you have ever tried to reopen a hole well lets just say I learned a lesson .

I'm glad it worked out for you so how big of a generator do you have to lug around or are you just useing a inverter?

[merrier212]

Thanks B-man, I am too surprised by the "grief" but wont let it get me down!! I just want to report what I find out so anyone looking for something such as this can be as informed as possible... This set-up is amazing so far, I think I will make a video to post so everyone can see first hand how nice it works.... My luck that will be when it fails and tears a hole in my house

[merrier212]

gordie

so it was a 2 speed 12v elec. ice auger? I have a small powermate generator that I carry for the house.

[NoWiser]

Can I be the first to sign your cast??

I think the only reason you are getting grief is because anybody who has worked construction much has darn near gotten their wrists broken by a Milwaukee drill at some point or another. Those are some nasty tools (at least the older ones). There is something about them that when they catch and twist, you can't let go of the trigger. I've been bruised and battered more than once.

I've never used a Hole Hawg, though, but can imagine with a little slower RPMs and a different trigger design, they could be as safe as anything and work really well. Just the thought of a 110v Milwaukee drill and an ice auger is enough to make a lot of people wince, though.

[leech~~]

Slow RPM's but lots of arm ripping Torque!

I don't see a lot of grief in the posts. Just Questions, Suggestions & safety concerns. Lighten up Mr-B!

[Gordie]

gordie

so it was a 2 speed 12v elec. ice auger?

yes or a hi/low gear if you will kinda wish I still had I but It was as old as Ben Franlklin

[SFC]

Slow RPM's but lots of arm ripping Torque!

I don't see a lot of grief in the posts. Just Questions, Suggestions & safety concerns. Lighten up Mr-B!

Would have to agree no grief, now if someone were to mention hillbilly auger that would be grief. WARNING dont take offense HILLBILLY AUGER WAS ONLY MENTIONED TO BE FUNNY dont take as grief

[B-man715]

Slow RPM's but lots of arm ripping Torque!

I don't see a lot of grief in the posts. Just Questions, Suggestions & safety concerns. Lighten up Mr-B!

Yeah, maybe grief wasn't the right word.

Anything new or different is generally treated with some skeptisism; as it should.

When I brought the idea up, a lot of guys kept telling me it was a bad idea mixing alternating current with water (not so much the torque questions/concerns Merrier is getting.)

But, nobody could tell me how it was anymore dangerous than mixing a cake or stirring a bucket of paint with a drill.........

To any guys debating on getting an electric auger, take a serious look at this idea.

A big drill can be found for much less than a new powerhead. It is also multipurpose, mine drills fishing holes and also is used in the garage on a regular basis. (I use a "regular" 8 amp single speed 750rmp Milwaukee drill with an 8" lazer auger)

Try building a deck with an Ice Gator or Big Volt

As with anything, there are positives and negatives.

Unlimited holes, no fumes, flushing the hole, cheap, multi-purpose............BUT a generator is obviously needed. The electric drills do have a lot of torque, but I can't say it is any worse than a gas auger.

It is not meant to replace a gas auger, but simply to supplement it.

Sure a guy could have a 100' cord to drill some nearby tip-ups, but that would get to be a pain and limit your range.

Also, anything mechanical can and will fail. If your generator dies so does your fishing trip, unless you have an alternative auger. On the flipside, if your gas auger died, you are still capable of putting out tip-ups or finding the structure you are looking for with an electric.

This won't work for everybody, but to the guys that don't want to drop another $500 for an electric, it is a great idea (with a pin or quick coupler to change powerheads.)

[merrier212]

well said b-man, I just want to be sure that anyone interested in this idea is not turned off for no reason... I certainly do not believe this set up has much more torque than my gas power head and when I let go of the trigger it stops... fast, unlike the gas one which will continue to spin and if the throttle stuck for some reason... big problems check out you tube for sticking throttles on gas and propane augers... now that's a laugh! I have had my set up get "stuck" and it was very easy to control.. I do recommend keeping sharp bits. As with anything there are certainly pros and cons but for me personally and probably many others not having fumes in my new wheel house is what its all about..

[leech~~]

merrier212, off topic. What does your Avatar stand for? Are you going to Marry her "girl in pic" Feb 2012?

[merrier212]

nope already married her!!! 2 years and running, merrier is my last name

[low277]

Looks good! I don't have a hole hawg anymore but I intend to try this with my D handle.

[leech~~]

nope already married her!!! 2 years and running, merrier is my last name

[fsnrod]

\

[merrier212]

Here is a little video of auger in action...

[video:youtube]http://youtu.be/xsRO7RDb_os

[adamr]

When you use this you should wear an inflatable sumo suit so when it smacks you and you hit the ground it wont hurt so bad.

[merrier212]

WHAT?

[EJ]

Merrier,

Nice job and thank you for the video. I appreciate what you built! Not for every one, but you certainly don't deserve the ridiculous criticism here by those with nothing else to do.

EJ

[Archerysniper]

Congrats on the great build and it looks like it catches less the my jiffy with the powerhead on

[dmichaelm]

just read this. the cape reference is great. unmatched.

what i want to know is how everyone missed that ArcherySniper broke his nose with a HoleHawg!!!!

[low277]

I like it!

I have used a hole hawg for years in the electrical trade and never had a problem with getting hurt or injured, I wouldn't be afraid to use your drill setup ( plugged into a gfci receptacle )I have seen people get whacked by hole hawgs and right angle drills, all I can say is "Operator Error".

[MNice]

I like it!

I have used a hole hawg for years in the electrical trade and never had a problem with getting hurt or injured, I wouldn't be afraid to use your drill setup ( plugged into a gfci receptacle )I have seen people get whacked by hole hawgs and right angle drills, all I can say is "Operator Error".

Right on, problem is I was the operator still have a scar on my chin..

[LightningBG]

Anyone else a little tense as he was getting to the bottom of that hole?

If it works for ya, awesome. Ingenuity at its best.