Clam Drill Plate w/ Extension

[MN BassFisher]

I will be using the Clam Drill plate for the majority of this season. I purchased the 16" Extension as well. I'm a taller guy (6'2") and every time I see a tall guy using the Clam Drill Plate they have to hunch over quite a bit. The question I have is does anyone run theirs with the extension all the time (less hunching over)? Or should I just reserve that for when the ice gets thick?

[McGurk]

The extension is the best $15 you could spend on it, and IMHO the Plate package should come with it in the box. I am 5'10" and it is pretty uncomfortable to use for popping a large number of holes.  You won't regret it being taller me!

[Scott O.]

I just bought my conversion kit for this season and I was also advised to buy the extension with it.  I just put it on right away and I fully intend on keeping it on all season.  It will be much easier on the back for drilling large numbers of holes that's for sure.

[monstermoose78]

Yep I have the extension and after todays use I am putting it on

[Chaws]

What kind of bit are you guys running with your electric drills? I'm contemplating on getting something like this for this season with the foreseeable season possibly being warmer than usual and thinner ice.

[monstermoose78]

I am running the clam hand auger bit

 

[McGurk]

6" SM Lazer.

[MidCoast]

Im running a Nils trekker it is perfect.

[fishingstar]

I bought the drill plate combo kit. It comes with 6 " auger,plate and hand crank.

At 6' tall it is short for me but it works great for my 13 year old to learn how to drill holes. 

 

[Scott O.]

I'm using the 6" Clam hand auger that came with it, but I've seen other guys using Strikemasters and K-Drills with it. 

[LP]

Hi guys I thought I'd add my 2 cents worth. I ran my clam auger plate all of last year. At first ice I bought it to avoid having to use a hand drill. I don't think I had it a week when I decided to add the extension. It was probably the best decision I made all of last Ice season. Initially thought I'd only be using the auger at first Ice, but it is so light and portable that I found myself grabbing it all season long and leaving the Jiffy in the truck. I'm running a Bostitch BTC 400 18v drill that came with two batteries and I have never run out of juice. The auger is your run of the mill blue Mora 6" that I've had for years. You'll be happy that you bought that extension Mn Bass Fisher. 

[MN BassFisher]

Thanks for all the comments guys, I added the extension on and I don't think I'll be removing it! It doesn't add much weight and being 6'2" it'll save my back on those days I punch a lot of holes. I have 2 4ah batteries and would love to get my hands on a 5ah.

[BoxMN]

Hey guys, (I posted this another spot on MN thread)

I wasn't really interested in this Plate Kit until my old SM Mag III had a carb death this fall. I can't seem to find a new carb for it, and not sure if a kit will fix it, not sure if worth fixing. So anyway...

Saw this info above and other ino on auger drill size, and wondering if it is smarter to get this plate as I already have spare 18v Dewalts with 1/2" chuck, and batteries, and a good and sharp SM 8.25" chipper drill. The 8" drill is the question mark for me though. 

But, I only use this plate/drill for drilling or redrilling holes in a perm shack, and only 5 of them, and usually not fully frozen all the way down. Maybe a few/half dozen tip up holes as well outside. But I have a newer working Lazer Pro as well for the hole hoping stuff, but Lazer just stinks at redrilling.

So, could I reasonably expect to get about 10 holes drilled through 20" of ice with this using a 8.25" chipper drill? I don't care about battery use as i have enough, I just don't want to get it and find it won't work with the auger/rill bit I have. If so, the $69 for the plate is probably better than how ever much it will cost me to try and repair/replace the carb (that no longer is available). Plus I could get a 6" or 7" in the future for early season.

Thanks for any info or suggestions!

edit - oh yeah I have an extension on the drill already, as the house is blocked up a ways. I assume the SM drill will fit right into the adapter just like the SM powerhead?

Edited December 9, 2015 by BoxMN

[McGurk]

I think the hand auger and power auger shafts are different diameters, and the clam adapter won't work with a power auger.  Also, I don't know how a chipper would work with the clam plate, as all I have seen on them are shaving style augers. They also don't recommend 8" augers for them, and push 5", 6", or 7".  Bottom line: the Clam Plate might not be the best option for your desires.  I'd look for a busted up power head on hsolist or FB's sale sites.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Box:

If you haven't already, would call D-Rock and see if they have an carb kits.  

I asked someone I know who works at Clam and he told me the SM power drill won't work on the drill plate.  

[BoxMN]

Thanks McGurk and MLR, I guess it is back to getting that old motor to run. Should not be too hard I guess, it was running fine last year. Thanks!

Edited December 10, 2015 by BoxMN

[MN BassFisher]

I used my Plate this weekend. It worked well with a 7" Lazer Bit for Walleye fishing. This years model of the plate, no longer requires folks to remove the chucks of their drills which I thought was a positive at first. Now I'm questioning it as I punched about 80 holes on Saturday (most on 1 battery) but I had the bit slip twice where I had to stop drilling, hand tighten and continue. Not a major deal but when it slipped I'm worried about what's happening inside the chuck...do I need to worry about stripping?

[McGurk]

http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Chuck-30602-2-Inch-Keyed/dp/B00002NBJF/ref=pd_sim_469_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=410KlNlqUYL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=085T2NYS7BVJ8WD4YJPX

I for one prefer the 2013/14 style with the new shaft that attached to the drill, and think that there are going to be a number of augers going down the hole this year.  I hope not, but I'll stick with my old clam with the shaft and deal with attaching/removing the shaft onto the drill as needed

[Rod Woten]

http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Chuck-30602-2-Inch-Keyed/dp/B00002NBJF/ref=pd_sim_469_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=410KlNlqUYL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=085T2NYS7BVJ8WD4YJPX

I for one prefer the 2013/14 style with the new shaft that attached to the drill, and think that there are going to be a number of augers going down the hole this year.  I hope not, but I'll stick with my old clam with the shaft and deal with attaching/removing the shaft onto the drill as needed

Are you referring to the new style Clam plates when you mention losing auger bits down the hole?  If so, the bit is still bolted on with the new plate, it's just bolted to the bearing now instead of being bolted directly to the drill arbor.  No more danger of losing a bit with the new plate than there was wit the old plate...or any other power auger, for that matter.  ANY of them can lose a bit, if you're not diligent about checking that the bolt that holds it on is tight.

[McGurk]

Got it. Thanks.

[JuanArellano]

Hey guys, (I posted this another spot on MN thread)

I wasn't really interested in this Plate Kit until my old SM Mag III had a carb death this fall. I can't seem to find a new carb for it, and not sure if a kit will fix it, not sure if worth fixing. So anyway...

Saw this info above and other ino on auger drill size, and wondering if it is smarter to get this plate as I already have spare 18v Dewalts with 1/2" chuck, and batteries, and a good and sharp SM 8.25" chipper drill. The 8" drill is the question mark for me though. 

But, I only use this plate/drill for drilling or redrilling holes in a perm shack, and only 5 of them, and usually not fully frozen all the way down. Maybe a few/half dozen tip up holes as well outside. But I have a newer working Lazer Pro as well for the hole hoping stuff, but Lazer just stinks at redrilling.

So, could I reasonably expect to get about 10 holes drilled through 20" of ice with this using a 8.25" chipper drill? I don't care about battery use as i have enough, I just don't want to get it and find it won't work with the auger/rill bit I have. If so, the $69 for the plate is probably better than how ever much it will cost me to try and repair/replace the carb (that no longer is available). Plus I could get a 6" or 7" in the future for early season.

Thanks for any info or suggestions!

edit - oh yeah I have an extension on the drill already, as the house is blocked up a ways. I assume the SM drill will fit right into the adapter just like the SM powerhead?

why not just take the chipper bit off and put it on the lazer pro, when you are going to the fishhouse?

 

[BoxMN]

Juan, I thought about that, but it would be a little bit of hassle as I use the lazer a lot too, during the same day. I guess I only have to drill house holes once a weekend though...

However, in the end, it was a simple carb kit rebuild and now the old SM is running like a top again

The little darn "exhaust controlled idle" thingie (black plastic out the top) had me confused until the good folks at D-Rock helped me and explained how it works. So my carb was just fine functionally, it just needed a new kit. Took about 30 minutes to do, and I put on some new fuel line since I was in there (and since my neighbor accidentally broke it haha!).

Problem solved for about a total of $13 kit, $2 fuel line, $3 of carb cleaner, and a beer or three

[McGurk]

If you don't want the fumes associated with a 2 stroke, I've had good luck with Amsoil Sabre Pro.  I mix it at 80-1 and feel that it starts easier, idles better, and smokes much much less.