Big Volt for the wheelhouse?

I’m considering getting a Strikemaster Big Volt for the wheelhouse. I’m not interested in having another battery to charge and I’m getting tired of smoking up the house with my 2 cycle Strikemaster. They’ve been discontinued, but some are still available.

A couple of questions for guys that use them. Are you able to swap out auger bits? I’ve got a 10 lazer blade I’d like to be able to use on it. How well does the power head perform?

Thanks

You would really like something with reverse to flush the hole. Very little scooping.

I was looking at this last year too – in the end spending $250 and saving maybe a couple hundred wasn’t worth it to me. I can’t remember if rapela wouldn’t be supporting parts, or the drilling speed, or what, but there was something that dissuaded me. I had an electra and it was painfully slow and the trailing power cord wasn’t very fun.

I went with a K drill. $209 for an 8″ and I got a Miluakee drill around fathers day. I use the drill year round for many things, and as mark said, it has reverse which either saves tons of scooping, or hooking a slush device on a drill you need to bring in addition to your big volt anyway. When I still used my 2 stroke I was using an A/C drill with a paint mixer and it saved tons of time. I also like that the kdrill it is super small, super light, and I can use in portables, open air, etc.

That said, I have yet to test it…

Hmmm,

You guys are making a pretty good point about reverse. I have slush copter, but it would be nice to have just one piece of equipment that does both.

I didn’t mention that a have few different bits for my gas auger that I’d like to be able to keep using. Maybe I’ll look at the newer Lithium Lazer with reverse. Then I’ll sell the gas auger and slush copter.

I’ve used a 10” big volt in my Yetti for the last 3 years. I have zero complaints. Drills fast and reopening holes is a breeze. The handles are nice also. Not big and wide like my old gas strike master. I also use a slush copter to clean out the holes. The drill is also used to raise the house so that’s not a issue having a drill along.

Personally I would look at getting either the new electric strikemaster or the Ion for what you’re looking for. I know you’re not wanting to have to charge another battery, but they are much more versatile and then you’re not having to deal with the cord and hooking up the battery. Dealing with the cord and hooking it up to the battery in your wheelhouse is as much work as putting the battery on a charger IMO. Plus if you ever are needing/wanting to punch a few holes outside you can do it easily. Given how popular the new augers are and how the big volt has gone by the wayside would be proof enough for me. My two cents…

I have the Big Volt and have no complaints…but upon getting an Ion and putting an 8” KDrill on it, it’s collecting dust.

castle-rock-clown wrote:

I have the Big Volt and have no complaints…but upon getting an Ion and putting an 8” KDrill on it, it’s collecting dust.

Maybe you can sell your “dust collecting” Big Volt then to Woodshed…cheap!

Like those that have one, zero complaints. We use a 10inch in our wheelhouse. Chipper blabde is great for re-opening holes. We open 6 holes every time its used. Thermal protection will kick in, after maybe the fourth hole. Only when in thick heavy ice. By then, I am ready for a shirt break.

Slush buster takes care of the majority of the slush issues.

In a house of any type, electric of some sort is the only way to go.

#1734099
I have the Big Volt and have no complaints…but upon getting an Ion and putting an 8” KDrill on it, it’s collecting dust

How did you connect the ion head to the kdrill?

UNIVERS-ALL adapter. It makes everything fit and acts as an extension.

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