Cordless Drill Auger ?'s

[WallyGader]

Looking for input on both drills and augers. Been looking at the 18v Makitas or the 20v Dewalt im assuming the dewalt will work better but not sure.

Then what auger to get? the nils, clam, or vexilars?

I drill lots of holes fish close to 4 days a week, and already own a solo for thicker ice.

[Esox_Magnum]

Easiest drilling auger will be the Nils, wont need a drill for that though about as effortless as it comes

[WallyGader]

I own a hand auger nils and love it, but want the drill model for making lots of holes on new water fast, any experience with these?

[Esox_Magnum]

Nope my Nils has the Tanaka on it

[WallyGader]

My next power head will be a tanaka, just need a legit excuse to ditch the solo.

[hydro]

Wow, didn't take long for this thread to turn into a Nils love fest!

WallyGader- To try and answer your questions: Either drill will work. What you need to look for in a cordless drill is 18-20 Volt battery, the amp hour rating on the battery (look for 3 AH), and the torque rating on the drill (Mine is 660 inch/pounds). Set aside the brand loyalty and do your homework. Menards has one on sale that fits this criteria this week for about $100.00. As far as the auger, they all will work just fine as long as they are sharp. Smaller 6" bits will drill more holes, 7" Mora's are easy to come by at the thrift and antique stores (I use this one), or you can get out the checkbook and buy a new hand auger and adapt it. I would stay away from the 8" due to the additional power required to turn the bit.

Fleet, big C, and other stores sell an adaptor (get one with a safety lanyard if you use the drill chuck) or you can check out Clam for their plate adaptor.

For reference, I have a 7" Mora auger on a 18V Hitachi drill, 18V/660In-Lb, 3 AH battery. I did a test last year, 10 degrees, 18" of ice, and I drilled about 35 holes on the first battery. I didn't start my gas auger all year. (I am not a 100 hole guy so it suits me just fine)

[WallyGader]

The adapter you speak of will use the exsiting chuck on the drill? and is for mora augers?

Sorry I already have a Makita 18v/480lbs, but was curious if there is a better option for drills (20v?), or just buy a bigger li ion battery for what I have?

[Esox_Magnum]

Hydro I have a 7" mora someplace you can have, think it even has the drill attachment on it.... I think I still have it someplace, cordless drills arent for me on the ice....And the fact my Nils will outdrill the cordless 7" by hand and its an 8"...

[gonehunting]

20volt Dewalt on sale at Menards and Lowe's for $99. Includes two batteries.

[hydro]

The adapter you speak of will use the exsiting chuck on the drill? and is for mora augers?

Sorry I already have a Makita 18v/480lbs, but was curious if there is a better option for drills (20v?), or just buy a bigger li ion battery for what I have?

WallyGader, Yes, the adaptor works with the existing drill chuck. It has a lanyard to catch the auger when it inevitably comes loose. It works quite well. And your Makita drill will work just fine with any sharp auger.

Esox...Did you even read my post?

[DTro]

Esox...Did you even read my post?

[Twins Guy]

lolz

[MikeG3Boat]

I would suggest using your 18V Makita, the clam adaptor for $60 and then any 6" or 7" sharp hand auger and you should be fine. The pro's are even suggesting using these. Good Luck, It shouldn't be long now.

[Esox_Magnum]

Why yes I did Hydro to the extent of my Minnesotan educated ability.... Offer still stands for the POS Mora auger....

[Savage Brewer]

You believe that hand drilling 18" of ice with your nils will beat any electric auger through the same thickness? Being that both augers are the same diameter.

I would love to see that, especially after maybe 4 or 5 holes.

Not saying it cant be done, but don't believe it to be true.

[Esox_Magnum]

Nope wont even try thats why the Tanaka, I deal with batteries all the time at work and know cold and batteries dont go togeather...I use the motor no matter the ice, fish only hear the blades scraping the ice not the noise of the motor.... dont see an issue of dragging another 20 pounds along...

[Werewolf]

This was discussed last week, Hands down the Dewalt 20volt lit/ion large batteries, My set up is a 6 inch Lazer and I can drill 100 holes straight in 5" of ice without stopping on one battery, Get the commercial Dewalt ,Better chuck, shop around you can buy the drill kit for around $200.00 the $100.00 ONES HAVE THE PLASTIC HOME OWNERS CHUCKs.

[hydro]

Werewolf, Nice to see someone here has a grip on reality. Thanks for sharing what your setup will do. It seems on par with what my poor old Mora drill does and more than sufficient for us mere mortals.

[th64]

I will be buying a Nils hand auger =should I get the 4'' or 6''? I will fish for panfish but I want to get the occasional big bass in.

[WallyGader]

I would imagine a big bass would be tuff to pull through a 4" hole, 6 is the smallest I can manage fishing out of. Never cut with a 4 but a 6 does not take much effort.

The issue of dragging another 20lbs is huge when dragging a sled any distance, and I would be more than happy to leave a power auger behind on a 3/4 mile drag through the woods.

[solbes]

I am hoping Santa gets me a 6" Nils manual auger (orange one that hooks up to drill). I was planning on getting a new NiCad battery for my 18V Craftsman with 1/2" chuck (about $25). 440 in/lb of torque I believe. I will probably keep the battery in my jacket when not in use to keep it warmer. We'll see if that works, or if I ditch that strategy quickly.

Some day I will get a quality 20V LiIon Drill/Driver, but don't have the funds to get the really nice one now. I expect they will get cheaper yet over the next year or two.

[amateurfishing]

if anyone is concerned bout batteries getting cold, hand warmers in a little lunchbox cooler should do the trick