7" auger for clam conversion plate

[Whiskey5]

Looking for opinions on which 7" ice auger I should get for my conversion plate. I like the versatility of a 7 inch hole as opposed to a 6 or 8 inch.

[jmg]

I have a 7" Strikemaster lazer that I use with the conversion plate. So far, it works well and will work even better now that Santa brought me bigger batteries for the drill. Good luck with it.

[BWSOutdoors]

Just make sure that the blades are the chipper blades.

[Whiskey5]

Are the Strikemaster Lazer hand augers considered chipper blades???

[Tod Todd]

Whiskey Lazer blades are not chipper another choice is the K drill that is sold thru Vexilar This is my third yr using it.

http://iceleaders.com/ice-fishing-products/k-drill-electric-ice-auger-system/

[Brad B]

Just make sure that the blades are the chipper blades.

there is no hand auger out there with chipper blades. chippers are on some power augers only. hand augers have shaver type blades only. lazer blades are more aggressive then the mora blades but they are still both shaver style blades.

[Brad B]

Whiskey Lazer blades are not chipper another choice is the K drill that is sold thru Vexilar This is my third yr using it.

http://iceleaders.com/ice-fishing-products/k-drill-electric-ice-auger-system/

the only thing with the k drill is that it only comes in 6 or 8 inches. the OP likes a 7 inch. too bad they don't make a 7 inch K drill.

[fisherman-andy]

Your only option is either a Mora, Eskimo or lazer in the 7".

I run the 7" lazer on the clam plate through 18" ice with no issues a couple weeks ago drilling 20+ holes.

As for the Kdrill it looks to be rough on the hand drill and appears to be way slower too. Just watch this video:

http://youtu.be/dFjbBibLAfQ

[Whiskey5]

Thanks for the responses, I was correct in my thinking that hand augers are typically shaver blades. Went with the 7" strikemaster - as much as I'd like the K-drill I can't justify spending another $300 to go with my Clam conversion plate - also want the versatility of the 7" (8" would drain battery too quick and 6" isn't as versatile for bigger fish) hence the 7" decision.

Thanks again - much appreciated

[JuanArellano]

the K-drill is actually a and 1/4 in size, and will work great with your clam conversion kit. just remember you will to get the adapter from vexilar....

[Kevan Paul]

I love the Drill plate. This is my 1st year guiding with it and I can't believe I didn't buy one last year. No matter what auger you find your going to love it. I have the 6" that clam sells and it works great for what I do.

[CJH]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but are the reviews on the Clam Conversion kit generally positive?

It sounds like it works with most hand drills, but not the gas equivalent. I have a 8in Lazer Mag that has been nothing but a pain in the arse since I got it and this would seem like a lot less of a hassle.

[Crappyfisherman]

I just put a 7 inch Mora on my Milwaukee Fuel/Clam Plate this year. Just got back from Upper Red and it worked great.had 20 inches of solid ice and -12 degrees. I cut over 20 holes and still had 3 bars on the battery. The wind got so bad 30+ mph and glare ice that we had to fish in the sleeper.

The Clam Plate really does improve the control and performance of your drill auger.

[Lawrence Luoma]

I ran my Clam Drill Plate/7" Lazer Bit/DeWalt XR 20V Brushless/4.0Ah setup this weekend on Mille Lacs. Got around 50 Holes per battery.

[no bait nate]

I'm looking to get an 8" auger for my drill plate. I'm running the M18 fuel series drill with the drill plate and 6" bit right now and it's awesome. Wondering if I should just buy the lazer 8" or what/if there are better options. The only difference between the hand auger bits is there is no center drill point in the 8" model. Does anyone know if there is an auger with the center point on the 8"? I feel this helps during reopening holes in a permanent shack, if anyone has had experience reopening holes with the 8" hand auger bit, I'd love to hear how it works. Thanks

[fisherman-andy]

I'm looking to get an 8" auger for my drill plate. I'm running the M18 fuel series drill with the drill plate and 6" bit right now and it's awesome. Wondering if I should just buy the lazer 8" or what/if there are better options. The only difference between the hand auger bits is there is no center drill point in the 8" model. Does anyone know if there is an auger with the center point on the 8"? I feel this helps during reopening holes in a permanent shack, if anyone has had experience reopening holes with the 8" hand auger bit, I'd love to hear how it works. Thanks

I don't know about attempting to re-open holes. I can say my 7" lazer binded up right away trying to drill an old hole left by someone just the day before. I have the 8" lazer and have only tried drilling in 6"-8" ice. I heard you won't be able to fully drill thick ice 25"+ without some draw backs of overheating your drill after a few holes.

[no bait nate]

Thanks for the input. I have been reopening my holes from previous outings with the 6" auger and it works decent. It catches some but I figured that. I usually open holes in the perm shack with my Solo 8"lazer auger, but my trouble is I can't usually go slow enough to keep it centered. I'm hoping to be able to go at a slower speed using my drill, and possibly have better success. I got a 8" lazer bit today so I'll let everyone know how it goes once I get a chance.

[JuanArellano]

Thanks for the input. I have been reopening my holes from previous outings with the 6" auger and it works decent. It catches some but I figured that. I usually open holes in the perm shack with my Solo 8"lazer auger, but my trouble is I can't usually go slow enough to keep it centered. I'm hoping to be able to go at a slower speed using my drill, and possibly have better success. I got a 8" lazer bit today so I'll let everyone know how it goes once I get a chance.

be ready to buy a new drill, the 8" is to much for the drill\

[fisherman-andy]

Im averaging 400"-450" inches of ice per 4ah battery on my Milwaukee M18 Fuel. On a warm battery that number may push closer to 500"+. No where near the 700" of ice claims.

[Lawrence Luoma]

Andy, you say your using a 7" auger. Clam say 700 inches of ice with their 6" auger and says you will lose 20-30% of that each inch you go bigger. So you're about right on!!