Electric Augers

[ozzie]

So now that there are many options out there, what are people thinking on the new electric augers?  I have been impressed with the drill attached augers that I have used this year and also the Strikemaster 40v electric auger.  For next year I will certainly be investing into one of these options as they are so powerful, quiet, and dont use gas!!!  I now have used a kdrill and Strikemaster drill attachments and both are nice but the strikemaster rips throught the ice faster than the kdrill IMO.  I love how I don't need to worry about gas spilling onto by ice suit and don't need to worry where the exhaust is!!  The one thing I found using a drill is they are very powerful and that you do not want to stop mid hole and try to restart as you may end up with a broken arm the way the thing grips!!!! (Lucky I didn't break my arm!)  It appears Millwaukee and Dewalt are the most common Drills I have seen used for the auger attachments.  I am leaning towards a drill attachment combo rather than one of the electric models as I just don't see the reason why I would go that route and have an auger that can only be used for an auger where the drill set up I still have a powerful drill to use on projects around the house.

 

What are some pro's and con's you all have come up with since using the electric augers and or the drill attachments augers opposed to a gas auger?

 

 

[Rick G]

3 hours ago, whateverisbiting said:

I love the reverse feature on the electrics.  Great inside a house and when setting up the tip ups outside very little to no work in cleaning up the hole.  Saves a lot of time and saves on the back not bending over to dig out a couple feet of slush.

Only problem I have with using reverse is... the fish I catch, for whatever reason, like to hit the bottom of the ice, bringing up all the slush ... so I end up scooping it out anyway...lol

Edited February 5, 2021 by Rick G

[eyeguy 54]

Chime in time .   Got the clam auger a few years ago and had an issue with it grabbing right when breaking thru so that didnt last long. Next up was the nills. all 6 inchers. really liked it but got fed up with the slush. then on to the kdrill. really liked that auger but had the urge to try the lazer lite. I figured the battery would last a lot longer, and it does. So I sold the K. probably should have just kept it for back up.  Problem with lazer lite is a small wobble. got the newer adapter installed and hoping its better. I really like that its a bit taller than the others I have used. Also bought a pistol bit last year and took it to a local lake to test and took it back to scheels. didnt like the way it wondered when starting. I think it might have a point now? The lazer lite is overall winner in my opinion for a six inch hole hopping ice puncher. Love the fact that they are all light! easier on the back. 

Edited February 5, 2021 by eyeguy 54

[yukontom]

Love my Kdrill &  DeWalt, it dosn't smell up the Jeep when I haull it. The old Eskimo gas auger hangs in the shed.

[eyeguy 54]

good point! no more stink or spilled gas in the vehicle!

[whateverisbiting]

2 hours ago, Rick G said:

Only problem I have with using reverse is... the fish I catch, for whatever reason, like to hit the bottom of the ice, bringing up all the slush ... so I end up scooping it out anyway...lol

I like the reverse so much maybe i am a little overagressive...sometimes it comes back up another hole!

[DP]

Sold my gas auger after buying an Ion, and haven't used my Ion since buying a 8" k-drill, but keeping the ion for a back-up and drilling through very thick ice.  I use a Milwaukee 18v on the k-drill, gotta use the handle attachment for leverage.

 

 

[Rick G]

1 hour ago, DP said:

Sold my gas auger after buying an Ion, and haven't used my Ion since buying a 8" k-drill, but keeping the ion for a back-up and drilling through very thick ice.  I use a Milwaukee 18v on the k-drill, gotta use the handle attachment for leverage.

 

 

That k-drill/ m-18 combo is hard to beat imo... light and powerful

[papadarv]

6 hours ago, Rick G said:

Only problem I have with using reverse is... the fish I catch, for whatever reason, like to hit the bottom of the ice, bringing up all the slush ... so I end up scooping it out anyway...lol

Had the same slush under ice issue so I designed slush propel fins that drives the slush 18 or so inches from the hole. Holes are totally cleaned and stay slush free.

[PRO-V]

Have the 40 volt Strikemaster 8". Besides the weight savings I don't have to keep it running when moving around drilling so it's safer. Also saves on my sore elbows not having to pull the recoil all the time.

[bobberineyes]

I haven't tried the reverse trick yet for slush, but then again gives the wife something to do while I'm getting the rest set up. It's a great point on fumes and fuel in an SUV,  with portables now in a back pack I don't need my pickup on the ice, mamma's rig works just fine. Whatever auger and drill you choose ( if you go that route) will be just fine. Oh yeah,  my old jiffy is still here, picked up a new gas cap two years ago so might as well hold onto it. 

Edited February 6, 2021 by bobberineyes

[Stephanie Buckley]

On 3/3/2021 at 8:37 PM, ozzie said:

well i finally pulled the trigger and found a strikemaster lite flight 8" and will paired it with a milwaukee fuel m18 2804.  the set up came with 2 5amp batteries so hope that gets me what i need!  going to get out tomorrow and rip this around the lake and hopefully make swiss cheese of it!

Hello. Where did you get it online? Can I learn? I need a good drill. I can't go out to buy. I am in quarantine.

[leech~~]

5 minutes ago, Stephanie Buckley said:

Hello. Where did you get it online? Can I learn? I need a good drill. I can't go out to buy. I am in quarantine.

It ok, lot of time for good ice. You plenty of time. 

[monstermoose78]

Amazon or most stores will ship bow

Edited November 3, 2021 by monstermoose78

[ozzie]

The 2804 is a great drill to use!  I have been impressed with mine since I purchased it whether it is being used on the ice or in the "shop" it has been an impressive tool!

[monstermoose78]

My drill has lasted many years dcd985 dewalt and I cut lots of holes!

[monstermoose78]

[Austin12345]

Last year I got the HT Nero after hearing good things about it and paired it with a brand new dewalt. It ripped at first it was very sharp it very light. The blades only lasted about 3 weeks of heavy use 4 days a week maybe 30-40 holes at the most in a day before they became very dull. At the same time this happend the support handle that is attached to the auger you press down on well drilling became locked and rotated with the auger instead of the auger shaft rotating inside of it after that it was not usable. I had already knew that HT was about as cheap and unreliable as you could get for an ice fishing brand but I thought different about the auger turned out I was wrong. After that I sucked it up and bought the drill plate with a strike master bit works well and can not wait to get out there with it soon. 

[monstermoose78]

On 11/6/2021 at 9:49 AM, Austin12345 said:

Last year I got the HT Nero after hearing good things about it and paired it with a brand new dewalt. It ripped at first it was very sharp it very light. The blades only lasted about 3 weeks of heavy use 4 days a week maybe 30-40 holes at the most in a day before they became very dull. At the same time this happend the support handle that is attached to the auger you press down on well drilling became locked and rotated with the auger instead of the auger shaft rotating inside of it after that it was not usable. I had already knew that HT was about as cheap and unreliable as you could get for an ice fishing brand but I thought different about the auger turned out I was wrong. After that I sucked it up and bought the drill plate with a strike master bit works well and can not wait to get out there with it soon. 

Did you get the lite flight or just hand auger? From my experience the augers with center points are great.