Drills for the Clam Drill Plate

[jmg]

Brad B. Just wondering how the DEWALT DCD771C2 drill is still working on the clam auger conversion? Would you recommend that drill for someone who isn't going to turn a pond into swiss cheese, but would probably drill no more than 10-15 holes per trip? Just wondering. Thanks for all your previous input into this subject. Got a different model Dewalt for Christmas, but it seems too nice to maybe wreck the chuck, etc. So--if you think it would be ok for the auger, I think I will order the DCD771.

[OwatonnaHardH2O]

jmg...I have the DCD771 and it is working great. Bought a two pack of the 3.0Ah batteries and I have only been using those. The drill can smell kind of hot if I really let the auger blades dig in the ice, so I hold it up a little when drilling holes. I keep my batteries in a soft sided lunch cooler with a disposable hand warmer for the day when out fishing.

Took almost full swings with a 2.5lb sledge on a BIG allen wrench to get my chuck off.

[jmg]

Thanks for the info. The only thing I worry about is getting the chuck off. Sounds like you can do more harm than good if you don't know exactly what you are doing.

[Brad B]

Brad B. Just wondering how the DEWALT DCD771C2 drill is still working on the clam auger conversion? Would you recommend that drill for someone who isn't going to turn a pond into swiss cheese, but would probably drill no more than 10-15 holes per trip? Just wondering. Thanks for all your previous input into this subject. Got a different model Dewalt for Christmas, but it seems too nice to maybe wreck the chuck, etc. So--if you think it would be ok for the auger, I think I will order the DCD771.

after using my DCD771 I can say that it works but like others, I have now started to get a burning smell it you try to drill too many hole with out stopping to let the drill cool down a little. I was drilling through 17 inches of ice and drilled 8 holes none stop and it started to smoke and smell. It didn't wreck it but from now on I will let it have time to cool down. If I stay with the DCD771 I will only use the drill conversion when the ice is less then 12 inchs. I am thinking of switching to the DCD790 (Brushless Compact drill) or the DCD980 (Brushless full size drill) before the start of next year. I found the DCD790 on Amazon for $109.00 (bare tool only). I will just use my charger and batteries that I am using on the DCD771 since they are interchangable with all the 20 volt max series of dewalt products.

what model did you get for Christmas.

[Brad B]

jmg...I have the DCD771 and it is working great. Bought a two pack of the 3.0Ah batteries and I have only been using those. The drill can smell kind of hot if I really let the auger blades dig in the ice, so I hold it up a little when drilling holes. I keep my batteries in a soft sided lunch cooler with a disposable hand warmer for the day when out fishing.

Took almost full swings with a 2.5lb sledge on a BIG allen wrench to get my chuck off.

it's funny you had such a hard time getting your chuck off. on mine the hardest part was getting the lock tight on the screw in the chuck to break free. as for my chuck I was able to get it off with my bare hands and the allen wrench lock in the chuck. you are right about how the auger wants to grab and dig in fast, I noticed that too. I think the smell we are smelling is the brushes heating up. that is why I might switch to a brushless model.

[ilovehardwater]

I also purchased the Dewalt DCD980, I got the torque screw out with no problems but I am having difficulty removing the chuck. I currently have an allen wrench inside the chuck and I have made multiple attempts at smacking it with a hammer (counter clockwise). I may have to take it in somewhere. I live in Jordan and could use some advise as to where I could bring it in without having to do an hour drive somewhere.

[Lawrence Luoma]

I have the same dewalt. What I did to break it free was to put the allen wrench while tightened down into a bench vise and smacked the battery area of the drill with my hand. Lol, that was my result after two hours trying it the other ways. Lock tight is real tight on that one.

[S. Thompson]

Regarding the DCD771, I would recommend purchasing the Dewalt 790 or any Dewalt 900 series drill. I've talked with Brad B. several times regarding the 771, as we each bought the $99 Black Friday deal. I've burned two of the 771 up at this point. One of them started on fire in the motor and went up in a giant puff of smoke.

The first 771 drilled 12 holes the first day in 10" of ice and only made it to the 7th hole the second day on the same lake before it caught on fire. I assumed it was just a bad lemon and returned it for a new one.

Well, the second 771 lasted three holes in just over 12" of ice before it started to smell real bad. I started a 4th hole after I let it cool and no dice. It would barely turn the drill with and fresh 3ah battery. My inclination is it's just another in a long line of cheap Black Friday deals to spur lackluster holiday sales. I would guess it uses a cheap motor to get the cost down for a $99 special.

I took the second one back and picked up a Dewalt 790 brushless for $199 and can still use my 3ah batteries. So far, the 790 has worked well in ice up to 17" thick. I'm still a little trepid about the 790 being too small. It's put away for the year as we are now dealing with 24" to 30" of clear hard ice here in South Dakota, so the Strikemaster has come out.

I'll work with again come late ice and will give the 790 a good working over. If the 790 does not hold up, it may be best to stay away from the compact drills and stick with the larger Dewalt 900 series.

[Brad B]

yes the 771 does work at first but with thicker ice the motor wants to hot up and smoke. it would be okay if you only use it when the ice is less then a foot thick and you only plan to drill a few holes. for now I am leaving my 771 on my plate since I have now switched to gas auger for the rest of this season. before next year I will be switching to the 790 or 980 dewalt. I think what is burning is the brushes on the 771. going to a brush less model should help plus brush less normally have more torque anyway.

[Jdjulik]

I too am thinking about ditching the DCD771C2 since at times the drill will jam up on the last bit of ice before breaking through even with fresh batteries. I was going to get some 3 or 4ah batteries but instead I think I will be going with this one http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/dewalt-20v-max-xr-1-2-3-speed-hammer-drill-kit-4-0ah since it's priced at $237 with two 4ah 20vlt batteries and charger. The batteries would run be close to the difference in price anyway and then I know I have a drill up to the task. Home Depot will be getting their Xmas special back as soon as this new one makes to my door.

[Brad B]

Yea that 985 should be a good drill. I was thinking either the 980 or 985 for a full size drill or the 790 for a compact drill. once you get the new drill let us know how it works out.

[Jdjulik]

Yea that 985 should be a good drill. I was thinking either the 980 or 985 for a full size drill or the 790 for a compact drill. once you get the new drill let us know how it works out.

I sure will. I screwed myself and ordered a two pack of 4ah batteries right before seeing this drill kit(from the same site). Now I have to wait to make sure I can cancel the battery order till Thursday and place an order for the new drill kit since the place said their customer service people had today and tomorrow off... Go figure.

I got to say, I didn't think there would be this much tinkering when setting out to use one of these drill plates. First the auger I had wouldn't fit the adapter and have to purchase a new one, then the drill I purchase for it doesn't quite have enough power for my satisfaction.. the list goes on haha. By the time I'm done and happy I could have purchased a pretty decent gas auger for the same cost and less head ache. I keep telling myself "You can use the auger as a hand auger if wanted and the drill to perform tasks outside of fishing that my compact 12 volters cant handle"

[ilovehardwater]

Lawrence, thanks for the response! I do not have a vise. I can get the chuck to move counter clockwise a bit at a time, but the chuck will not unscrew. I just want to use this asap. My arms are not made for drilling thru 18+ inches of ice.

[northlanderZ]

So far this is my experience with the Clam drill plate. I have it paired with a Milwaukee 2601 that I already had and a 6" Strikemaster auger. I had to pick up a 3.0 battery to increase run time, as the pair of 1.5 I had would only cut about 8 holes each, part of the issue is the extension. I also ordered a 4.0 battery, but yet to arrive. These should give me plenty of run time on the ice. Regarding the 16" auger extension, the first one I purchase from MFF, the welding was not quite right and introduced a subtle wobble. I exchanged it for the last one on the shelf and it made a huge difference. So you may need to take a good look at how the extension turns if you get one. Now it cuts extremely smooth. The 2601 isn't as big as some of the other drills mentioned here, so I plan to monitor how it works and will upgrade to a 2610 or something similar, in the off season.

[amateurfishing]

mine has a slight wobble as well and I do have the extension on it, that is not the way it is supposed to work and should be replaced?

[northlanderZ]

I think it should run true and not wobble at all, to drill the most efficiently, which should save on battery. Just take the extension off and hook it up directly. That's what I did and the wobble was gone, so I knew the extension had the issue. I got a new one and it now runs true, drills better and hopefully longer battery life (yet to test this out in the bitter cold ;-)

[Lawrence Luoma]

Lawrence, thanks for the response! I do not have a vise. I can get the chuck to move counter clockwise a bit at a time, but the chuck will not unscrew. I just want to use this asap. My arms are not made for drilling thru 18+ inches of ice.

It will seam like it's moving but it hasn't broke free from the lock tight. It will have a good pop when it breaks free and it will unscrew pretty easy once you get it loose. Like I said it wasn't easy for me either, it took me well over two hours to get to pop.

[Corey Bechtold]

Try this. Grab a ratchet and tighten the chuck on the center square knob. Put the drill on a carpeted floor and get the chuck to release by putting your knee on the drill while using the ratchet to remove the chuck.

Worked like a charm for me!

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[jmg]

Hardwater! Did you finally get the chuck out of the drill. If you did, have you had a chance to use it yet? Just wondering how that bigger drill works with the plate.

[ilovehardwater]

jmg, I did get the chuck out using a bigger allen wrench I borrowed from work. The drill fit on the conversion plate with zero issues. I stopped by a small lake on the way home from work tonight, with the 6 inch blades this auger just RIPPED through an estimated 18+ inches of ice. It probably took 10 seconds or less to pop a hole. I punched 4 holes to get a feel for it and headed out. I have always wanted a electric auger and I am happy I purchased the unit. I will be popping some holes with it tomorrow and will give more feedback.

[jmg]

Axelman, how is the Rigid Fuego drill setup working for you?

[ilovehardwater]

I took the drill out Saturday. I probably drilled 15 holes with no issues. The unit works great and I would recommend it to anyone who like myself drill less than 20 holes each outing. I have a spare 4ah battery if I need extra.

[jmg]

Thanks for the update. Just ordered the DEWALT 985 drill. Hope it works out as well as your 980. Will keep you posted. Good luck fishin'.

[Ice Angler1]

Hi Matt,

Nice discussion on what drill to use. However, I have two questions:

1. Since I have all the Ryobi tools, including three drills, and four 4ah batteries, I wanted to use one of the drills for the conversion. 1st problem was removing the chuck, but following the many instructions posted on You Tube, I finally removed the chuck. I did this by 1st putting the screw driver in a vise, setting the drill to low speed power, and powering it in the clockwise direction ( drilling direction) while holding the drill with two hands to remove the screw. Next, I chucked a large allen key and mounted it in a vise, setting the drill to low speed power, and powering it in the counterclockwise direction (removal direction) while holding the drill with two hands to remove the chuck.

However, upon removal , I discovered that the chuck thread size is 3/8-24 UNF which does not match the 1/2-20 UNF thread on the adapter shaft. Does Clam offer an adapter shaft with the 3/8-24 UNF thread? Apparently, all keyless chucks use either a 1/2-20 UNF or a 3/8-24 UNF mounting thread. What are my options? I do not want to buy another drill and more batteries.

2. Since I also had a Ryobi impact driver which has 3x more torque than conventional drills and torque is required for augers not speed. I found a hex drive adapter with the required 1/2-20 UNF external thread. Mounting was easy without any modifications. I have yet to try it drilling holes in the ice, but it appears to be a better solution than Clam's recommendation of using a drill because it does not require removal of the chuck and offers three times more torque ( 1600 in -lbs vs. 500 in -lbs). Has Clam evaluated impact drivers for the conversion kit? If so, what were the results? Please comment.

Thanks

[Brad B]

Hi Matt,

Nice discussion on what drill to use. However, I have two questions:

1. Since I have all the Ryobi tools, including three drills, and four 4ah batteries, I wanted to use one of the drills for the conversion. 1st problem was removing the chuck, but following the many instructions posted on You Tube, I finally removed the chuck. I did this by 1st putting the screw driver in a vise, setting the drill to low speed power, and powering it in the clockwise direction ( drilling direction) while holding the drill with two hands to remove the screw. Next, I chucked a large allen key and mounted it in a vise, setting the drill to low speed power, and powering it in the counterclockwise direction (removal direction) while holding the drill with two hands to remove the chuck.

However, upon removal , I discovered that the chuck thread size is 3/8-24 UNF which does not match the 1/2-20 UNF thread on the adapter shaft. Does Clam offer an adapter shaft with the 3/8-24 UNF thread? Apparently, all keyless chucks use either a 1/2-20 UNF or a 3/8-24 UNF mounting thread. What are my options? I do not want to buy another drill and more batteries.

2. Since I also had a Ryobi impact driver which has 3x more torque than conventional drills and torque is required for augers not speed. I found a hex drive adapter with the required 1/2-20 UNF external thread. Mounting was easy without any modifications. I have yet to try it drilling holes in the ice, but it appears to be a better solution than Clam's recommendation of using a drill because it does not require removal of the chuck and offers three times more torque ( 1600 in -lbs vs. 500 in -lbs). Has Clam evaluated impact drivers for the conversion kit? If so, what were the results? Please comment.

Thanks

don't use a impact driver. it will wreck your auger blades and auger it self. this is why they don't recommend using a hammer drill set to the hammer mode.