Clam Drill Plate - HAS REALLY COME TO THIS?!?!?

[Lawrence Luoma]

People - it's meant to replace a hand auger, not a gas auger...it's ideal for those who have a cordless drill and hand auger collecting dust in their garage... for $60 you can turn them into a early/late ice power auger..it doesn't claim to do anymore or anyless...

for those adding up the dollars of what it costs buying everything brand new, good lord, go buy a gas auger...

I have one, it works as advertised...

Funny, I just sold all my gas augers because Clam drill plate is replacing them. It really does work as advertised. Now I don't have to worry about gas, engine starting, plug fouling, cold weather starts and etc... I have put this to the test in three tournaments drilling 200 holes plus in a day. Yet to have gone through two batteries in a day. I've really put it to the test this season and not looking back at gas ever again!!

[JoeMX1825]

I don't think Clam would risk killing their own ($300-$500) gas auger business by releasing a $60 accessory that will do the same job over time. I agree with those that say with overuse in thick ice, it will burn out a hand drill...

Add it to your early ice gear (when weight means everything) and you'll be happy...

[MuskieJunkie]

I don't think Clam would risk killing their own ($300-$500) gas auger business by releasing a $60 accessory that will do the same job over time.

You lost me on that one. That's like saying GM shouldn't make Buick because it will might kill Cadillac.

[amateurfishing]

.....and I would think anyone with half a brain would/should know better than to take a $300 drill and see how/what you can get out of it just for kicks in 30 inches of ice, yes there are stronger better machines for those times and I would not put my $300 drill under that kind of pressure

.....but for early/late ice, or taking the kids and the pop up where I can go gasless, fumeless, & 6 inch holes compared to 8 on gas auger.....absolutely perfect !

[Lawrence Luoma]

Well considering I have well over 2000 holes already with my drill this year it must be ready to kick by your logic. I guess you all miss the point of the industrial bearing that is put in the Clam Drill Plate that takes the wear and tear off the drill!!

[Savage Brewer]

I have the extension on there just because it feels soo short without it. Now if I was only 5'2" it probably wouldnt matter as much.

[brian6715]

I guess you all miss the point of the industrial bearing that is put in the Clam Drill Plate that takes the wear and tear off the drill!!

I'm sorry but this just doesn't make any sense to me. You are telling us that the Clam Drill Plate provides the torque to drill these holes? I'm not understanding the logic behind this statement. It may take the "jolting" off the drill in some magical way, but the drill is still providing all of the torque and that is what the smart consumer is concerned about. All of the drills I have burned out (commercial grade, mind you) have not been because of jolts and wear and tear, but because of overuse and running them too long on something that requires too much torque. This is extremely hard on any electric motor, not to mention the batteries will have a really hard time. Have any of you ever used a Lithium Ion drill for any amount of time, say building a deck? The batteries will get so hot that you can barely hold them.

Also you drilled over 200 holes without going through 2 batteries? How much ice was there? That would be impressive, being the competition usually speaks of about 40 holes per charge.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

I agree with those that say with overuse in thick ice, it will burn out a hand drill...

Still waiting for my 10 year old Dewalt 18 to burn out. Not to brag but I would assume I have the all time record for holes drilled on one drill using this method. I hjave noticed a slight burning smell the last couple seasons so it may be on the way out. I have 2 back up Dewalt drills if it every does burn out. I use mine pretty much year round until late season trips on Red, LOW and Mille Lacs won't allow me to drill without an extension. And then we bring the Jiffy Model 30 with. Battery's are a pain to replace but I have learned to take better care of them, probably should learn how to rebuild the battery's to save some on cost there..

I have thought about the Clam for the added benefits of the bearing and torgue issues but I just brace the drill against my thigh and that has worked for me..

On a side not I find it funny how people greatly over exaggerate the amount of holes they drill and thats one of the excuses you here about how this won't work for them. Last night we hit the bar for a few drinks after slamming some Metro slabs and I heard my friend on the phone say how he drilled close to 100 holes. I drilled 11 and he drilled maybe 20 at best.

Of course my 1st 6 holes were drilled and cleaned out before he had his running and off choke.... and Yes 4 dollars came my way on 1st fish too...

To each is own.

[Lawrence Luoma]

"Also you drilled over 200 holes without going through 2 batteries? How much ice was there? That would be impressive, being the competition usually speaks of about 40 holes per charge."

At the NAIFC Championship there was anywhere from 11"-13".

Last weekend there was 20" of ice using a 7" ice drill and was over 40 holes still on the first battery before going home.

Clam's testing claims they were getting 700 inches per battery. I'm running a DeWalt 20V 4.0Ah Model:DCD985M2 and getting better performance than that.

Again, this thing is something you'll have to see to believe. Not sure why would Clam sell something that a drill could already do without having benefits to drill and battery life. Which if you have doubts then you haven't seen or used it yet.

[Lusid]

If a pro is speaking about a said product, I take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure it runs and operates great but these drills were not intended to drill ice lol.. But as technology evolves i think you can see better products in the works as well. Just make sure your drill can handle the it otherwise prepare for the puff of smoke to evolve.

[PierBridge]

Brian..... The smart consumer? LOL

I don't build decks very often. I build Homes and believe or not Drills are pretty durable. We actually use them a lot in the construction business and guess what we use them year round every day not just on weekends during a 3 month season. LOL

It's assumed that Dewalt is lower quality drill in the trade but we have had nothing but good luck with them over the years..I'm sure there better ones out there but thats what we/I use.

And being the smart consumer that you are you should know the amount of holes drilled will depend on a lot of variables. Drill/battery condition and voltage plus cutting blade quality and care, temperature, ice make-up and thickness.

Ive drilled anywhere from 8 to 40 plus holes on my dinasaur set-up on one battery. I usually bring 2 just in case but I almost never drill more than a dozen because I'm more of a pre-planned out fishermen versus a run and gun to know where guy at my age.

When I refer to torque I'm talking about the torgue on your hand and wrist from holding the drill while drilling. The clam system gives you better leverage it appears but I just brace it against my leg/thigh and that helps when the auger does occasionally hang up.

Good Luck stay safe and smart!

[DTro]

You guys are missing the whole point. $60? OK

$190...no way

[ozzie]

x2 on Lusid's comment...

[courtlandpond]

Amen DTro. Amen.

[PierBridge]

You guys are missing the whole point. $60? OK

$190...no way

Conceded I did miss the first page of the thread.

And I don't think it's very cost effective or feasible for most especially if you had to go out and buy a brand new drill a brand new cutting device along with an adapter system.

But apparently that's not the case for everybody as we see supply and demand working here.

I use the $20 adapter and could not be happier with my current setup. I am simply here to debunk some of the myths and miss information about the how electric drills work in this application.

It's kind of like the big buddy vs the sunflower debate.

Irreconcilable differences comes to mind lol.

Good luck everybody.