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Posted

I bought a permanent ice house this spring and want a auger with no fumes. Was looking at Ion, there expensive. And was looking at jiffy or Eskimo propane augers. Just curious what everyones thought is. Do propane augers run good or do they have problems? 

Posted

If you own a decent cordless drill, you might want to consider the K-Drill. Would be about half the price of an Ion and would cut 4-10 holes in no-time.  With the chipper style blade I've heard they reopen holes quite well.  I have a Nils that connects to a cordless drill. Love it, but with a laser style blade it wouldn't be good for reopening holes.

 

I don't own either an Ion or a propane auger, but I've read a lot about them on these forms. With the exception of an issue where ice was collecting on an Ion so much it couldn't cut holes, I can't recall anyone complaining about either option.

Posted

I have a Cordless drill... But I do not think it's brushless... Do I need a brushless drill? And do you recommend the orange or blue nills auger? I would be getting 8 inch. 

Posted

Would not recommend using any drill but a brushless hammer drill of at least 750 in. lbs. torque with an eight inch Nils. The orange one with the black head is made for electric drill, but the blue on will work with an adaptor. Black head is a little less aggressive. 

Posted

Thanks for the info... Think I am just going to get a trophy strike ion auger. Thay have one for 399. Then I don't have to buy a new drill. Appreciate the info! 

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I use a brushed drill and it works just fine. The brushless is better on batteries a little. Get the extension for whatever one you get. 

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I should add I have over 6000 holes or more drilled with this set up. I did add the extension and it’s a back saver

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

 The propane augers still set off the carbon monoxide detectors.

 

make sure you have a top end drill and big batteries. I can get 30-35 holes per 12 amp hour battery with 35 inches of ice.

Posted

Monstermoose where do you get a set up with the handles like that? I have an 18v lithium drill but it's not brushless... 

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

It’s a clam drill plate. 18 volt drills work but you need high torque. Hammer drills have metal gears and handle the stress better of cutting ice. If your drill is a high end drill it should work. 

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I hope @eyeguy 54 chimes in he used a few different drills and auger bits.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

just used the ryobi and milwaukee .  both worked with the nills 6 inch but the milwaukee is for sure better. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

Strikemaster lithium lazer is the only way to go. The thing cuts like butter and has reverse which makes for like two scoops of slush per hole in the wheel house once you get the hang of using it and that's with 3 feet plus of ice. Another really awesome feature is that it has a soft start on it so slush doesn't fling all over in your house. Before the strikemaster I had a nils gas auger and that worked very well but not near the controll and finesse as the lazer. I also tried the drill thing early on last year and had very mixed results. They aren't made to auger holes feet deep in ice. As far as propane, I have several friends that have them and I think they are worse than a gas auger as far as fumes and very heavy and unreliable. They call em iffy pro 4's for a reason. Ion's are not even worth mentioning as they are in a league of their own as being ultimate junk. These are just my opinions and the best thing you can do is try to try different set ups. The one thing I can say for sure is once you find what you like get one ASAP because the good ones sell out for the year very fast.

Posted

Early ice I use 18 v drill with 6" holes smooth shaver blade. Drill I like best is the Milwaukee Mud Mixer (MMM for short) #1. I made MMM  adapters for both direct & Clam Plate connect #4. I also have a DeWalt 18 on a Jiffy gear box turning at 110/250 RPM bit speed. Not enough power to drill so I use it for my custom built slusher #2. In Wheel House > 14" ice, I go to Gas/Propane drilling with house raised, on an 8" modified Mora bit #3. Mora blade #5, drilling 34" ice in 29 seconds. Drills lack power for this blade. Buddy has new Green Ion only drills 1 hole to my 5 with Gas drill. Ion has no center point so really dificalt to start holes centered in wheel house access hole.

Biggest issue with drills are batteries. Volts on one of the 5 parallel sets drops faster than other 4 sets when pushed hard. When re-charging  the charger turns off when one of the 5 sets reach 4.25 volts. Other 4 sets have less voltage. If 1 set is at <3.6v at charge end, one battery charge light will not light up. When 3 of 5 drop below 3.6v charger will indicate battery is no good.

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Posted (edited)

I'm in the same boat, plan on selling my 4 year old solo lazer to get a lithium 40v strikemaster; I wouldnt go propane as they still stink up the ice house, let alone they are tanks. thought about the cordless drill but i would still be putting in $400+ with the purchase of a drill and the unit itself, let alone the thicker ice and versatility I would have with the 40v strikemaster

 

-speaking of which, anyone buy one last year and know of the best deal, i thought I saw 450 from reeds with 2 batteries last year during a sale? 

Edited by Jmnhunter
Posted

Tough decision. I'll relate my own experience. I have been running an eight inch Nils Convertible(Orange one) with a 750 in lb Milwaukee drill for six years now and will never go to anything else. I've drilled over ten holes in 32 inches of ice with battery to spare on a five amp battery. 35 holes in under 20 inches of ice. Have a 14 inch extension for it also. Never need to keep the batteries warm and have rarely carried an extra battery, just keep the handle close by. Only used that once. At the end of ice season, I oil up the blades and hang it for storage. Now I use the drill all summer long for other projects. I cannot speak for reopening old holes as I stay mobile and sold my wheel house. If the Nils has trouble reopening holes one could always change to a different auger blade.  Pretty big initial investment, but it's paid for itself several times already. While it may not be for everyone, it works for me. Good luck with your decision. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

The Milwaukees the best in my opinion.  K drill does work great for re drilling holes it's a little slow. Monstermoose78 is that a Clam auger or Lazer? does it bind at the bottom of the hole or more control with the clam plate? that is on sweet looking drill combo there.

Posted

Alot of places that sell the 40v strike Master have them on back order. Cheapest I have found is 549. I am seriously considering the 40v trophy strike for 399. But I do not know anyone who has had one. I am just going off reviews on the interweb. 

Posted (edited)
17 hours ago, Parmer said:

Thanks for the info... Think I am just going to get a trophy strike ion auger. Thay have one for 399. Then I don't have to buy a new drill. Appreciate the info! 

where Parmer? I've heard of those, out of CO and at first glance they're faster than the Ions 

ahh nevermind, I see ebay has the 40v model for $400

Edited by Jmnhunter
Posted

399 on ebay. Free shipping no tax out of Colorado. Can get a 120v for 499.

Posted

dang, would be nice if that price sticks around til fall or after I sell the gas aguer

Posted

 

Screenshot_20180830-131243_Chrome.jpg

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted
4 hours ago, mrpike1973 said:

The Milwaukees the best in my opinion.  K drill does work great for re drilling holes it's a little slow. Monstermoose78 is that a Clam auger or Lazer? does it bind at the bottom of the hole or more control with the clam plate? that is on sweet looking drill combo there.

It’s a clam auger and no binding for me. I bought a two pack of 12 amp hour batteries for 199. I was using the 3 amp hour batteries and I have chased Eyeguy and rick g around and we cut tons of holes. I will say getting the big batteries was a game changer for chasing gills and crappies.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

indeed, mine are only 5 amp on the fuel but that baby slices and dices. tempted to go to 8 inch but then I ask myself why would I do that. 

  • Thumbs Up 3
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted
2 hours ago, eyeguy 54 said:

indeed, mine are only 5 amp on the fuel but that baby slices and dices. tempted to go to 8 inch but then I ask myself why would I do that. 

I was thinking a 7 inch would be nice for bigger fish

Posted

Have had both.  As far as power to really cut holes fast, a propane.  For in the house, an electric with reverse.

Posted

Jiffy just came out with their electric auger I saw on fb. Did a search online and couldn’t find anything. 

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I would go with a drill auger myself. They’re amazing and double use out of the drill.

Posted
12 hours ago, going4it said:

Jiffy just came out with their electric auger I saw on fb. Did a search online and couldn’t find anything. 

 

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Posted

interesting....

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Man, it is getting expensive to make a hole in a sheet of hard water! ?

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  • Thumbs Up 2

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • SkunkedAgain
      If you fished with me more often, you'd never have to make this statement...   38" of ice - love it. I'm really going to have to dig around for my auger extension. I don't think that I've needed it in over a decade.   Too bad nobody has a locomotive chugging across the ice to do some logging, like the good old days.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Resorts and outfitters on some parts of the lake have ice roads extending over 16 miles staying on nice schools of walleyes and saugers.  Many fish houses are over deep mud.  Some are on structure.  It is always fishing of course, but overall, February has been very productive for most anglers.   Extensions are being used on ice augers as the ice continues to thicken.  The thick ice this year will be good for the extended ice fishing season Lake of the Woods enjoys with fish houses out through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes. Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with a good number of jumbo perch in the mix this year.  Some big eelpout are also showing up.  Anglers are reporting plenty of fish for fresh fish frys and usually extra fish to bring home.   The one-two punch of a jigging line and deadstick is the way to go.  On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.     Lures with a light have been working well in the stained water.  Please remember, in MN, lures with a light or water activated light can be used as long as the battery is mercury free and the hook is attached directly to the lure and not as a dropper line.     On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    Some days, mornings are better, other days, it's the afternoons.  There is no distinct pattern, they could come through at any time. On the Rainy River...  The start of the day and end of the day have been best for those targeting walleyes on the river. A jig and minnow or a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Some big sturgeon being iced by ice anglers targeting them.  It is a catch-and-release sturgeon season currently.   Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing has been strong in the islands area of Lake of the Woods. Resorts continue to move their fish houses around, staying on the best schools of walleyes.     Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch with an occasional pike or tullibee as well.     Big crappies are still being caught just over the border.  Fish houses are available, check with a NW Angle resort for info on crappie fishing.   Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.    
    • leech~~
      Maybe you should put rattle wheels down, if your going to sleep for 6hrs! 🤭 😆
    • JerkinLips
      Monday was my worst day of winter fishing on Vermilion in the last 4 years.  Caught only one 14" walleye in nearly 8 hours of fishing.  Missed two other bites and was marking very few fish.  Maybe the fish were taking Monday off after a big weekend.   No more water came up on the ice under my house.  Think it was because I haven't banked snow around it for a couple of weeks so the bare ice around the house is getting very thick.  I measured 38" of ice under my house and the Ion barely made it through even with the extension installed.  Needless to say I banked around the house this time.  Another lesson I learned today is don't drill holes if ice is frozen on your blades.  I did that on one hole and it didn't center properly and drilled at an angle on the edge of the opening.  Hope I can correct the location and angle on my next trip up.   Not much change in the surface lake surface conditions.  The drifts may be a little higher and are definitely harder.  There are still a few bare ice spots on the lake.  Very little activity on the lake today.  There are about 3 dozen houses from McKinley Park out to Birch Island.  Another person pulled there house off today, and I am sure many more will pull theirs off this coming weekend.  Only 13 days left of walleye season.    
    • leech~~
      A good start for never picking up a bow!   IMG_1910.mp4
    • leech~~
      Um, #metoo   leech~~ Author 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders Posted January 26 My whole goal for the rest of this season.  Is to watch KC lose and Taylor cry!  🥳
    • smurfy
    • Wanderer
      Smurfy is happy.
    • Dash 1
      Great looking food. So far not much of a game and I thought the halftime show was worse I've seen. 
    • leech~~
      Oh is there a Superbowl game? 😋😋
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