Really considering switching from a gas auger to a drill auger. Anyone have input on them and which drill they used. Also its not a deal breaker but has anyone used a 7-8 inch auger with them, not sure how I feel about a 6inch hole. How many holes can you get with a 6-7 inch auger with a drill obviously depending on ice thickness. Ive read good things about the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill. Any input is appreciated.
I have 6″ Kdrill and M18 Milwaukee with the 4.0 XC batteries. Cant imagine anything else cutting any better or a need too. This weekend I went out with some guys that had never seen one.
I went to cut some holes for them and used their 4 stroke strikemaster. The owner was giving me instructions to start it. Turn on, Pump the ball 5-6 times, flip to start then 5-6 pulls. well I had to repeat the process a couple times after it not starting on the first.
Once started it sputtered and spit and quit, repeat but this time feather the throttle. same thing happened. Repeat again this time with more throttle.
Finally it started. I began walking to cut holes, get me a back brace HOLY smokes what a load after owning a K drill. Got to the spot for new holes, I had to put all my body weight on it to cut.
I was done with that thing. I set it down walked to my trap and grabbed my K drill. As I was drilling all I could hear was each of them scrapping the frost off their windows to see what I was doing.
All walked out, all wanted to cut a hole. The verbal response can not be mentioned here due to forum rules. they were nothing short of impressed and called their augers all kinds of names.
Had 18″ of ice and drilled about 20 or so holes on one battery. I have a spare battery and a charger in the car. Never run out of power.
I’ve got the M18 fuel drill and think it is the only way to go; my DeWalt 18 and 20 volt wouldn’t give me more than 3 or 4 holes before the battery would die.
I’m only using the 6″ and just got it this year but I was able to drill 30-40 holes through 8-12″ and the battery wasn’t close to done yet.
I would highly recommend but admittedly haven’t used it in more than 12″ of ice.
Two years ago I had 2 gas augers, an Ion and a Bosch drill setup; once i used the M18 fuel, I haven’t used any of the others and have now sold them. The Milwaukee Fuel is nothing short of amazing.
I run the synthetic 6.3″ strikemaster. My buddy runs the exact setup and also had a 6″ kdrill setup. After running some side x side tests, he sold the kdrill.
If you want an 8″, from my understanding the M18 Fuel will turn the Nils. There’s a thread on iceshanty about that right now. I know others run 7″ lazer style augers with no issues. Personally, I’m happy with the 6″. It’s easy enough to overlap holes if a larger hole is necessary.
I own the Nills 8inch auger that has a direct attachment for the drill. It cuts ice like a warm knife though butter and is well worth the money spent on the auger. A quality drill is all it takes to keep it turning.
The fuel batteries won’t last many years, at least in commercial use. For fishing I would think a few hundred holes a ulyear would be considered medium duty. But the whole setup is much cheaper to begin with. I would try a 7″ just to extend the cutting capacity even further.
I have a strike lite honda. Only the 2nd season but it starts in 2 pulls and cuts like butter. If you have to lean on any newer auger your blades are dull or the angle is off, either of the above would kill a battery drill even faster. Early and late ice would favor the drill auger for sure.
I own the Nills 8inch auger that has a direct attachment for the drill. It cuts ice like a warm knife though butter and is well worth the money spent on the auger. A quality drill is all it takes to keep it turning.
I would go nils from everything I’ve read in years past.
Milwaukee M18 and a couple of 8″ and 6″nils, the 6″ is effortless.
Dogs
Hey guys, check out these 2 videos that we did a few weeks back. Should be a decent explanation of what you can expect to see.
https://www.facebook.com/tylertischer/videos/10153416044128741/
Thanks for the replies, the nils auger doesnt make a 7inch auger do they. I would prefer the 8 but want to get the most holes I can.
Two years ago I had 2 gas augers, an Ion and a Bosch drill setup; once i used the M18 fuel, I haven’t used any of the others and have now sold them. The Milwaukee Fuel is nothing short of amazing.
I run the synthetic 6.3″ strikemaster. My buddy runs the exact setup and also had a 6″ kdrill setup. After running some side x side tests, he sold the kdrill.
If you want an 8″, from my understanding the M18 Fuel will turn the Nils. There’s a thread on iceshanty about that right now. I know others run 7″ lazer style augers with no issues. Personally, I’m happy with the 6″. It’s easy enough to overlap holes if a larger hole is necessary.
The M18 brushless fuel will turn a lazer 8″ with little issues in 14″ of ice.I wanted a K-drill 6″,but everyone was sold out.
8 inch Nils convertible that attaches to a drill. Got a Milwaukee Fuel 18 volt drill. I cut about 50 holes thru 16 inches last week on one battery. The drill comes with 2 batteries. The combo is amazing. Super light, and cuts soooooo fast. Will cut 2 holes to 1 vs a gas auger.
8 inch Nils convertible that attaches to a drill. Got a Milwaukee Fuel 18 volt drill. I cut about 50 holes thru 16 inches last week on one battery. The drill comes with 2 batteries. The combo is amazing. Super light, and cuts soooooo fast. Will cut 2 holes to 1 vs a gas auger.
X2
Awesome I think thats the route I will go…8inch nils with the milwaukee fuel for next year sounds like and excellent setup. Thanks for the input everyone.
I have a dewalt 20volt ion battery with the orange 6 inch nils bit. I also have a 30 year old jiffy 10 inch and a strikemaster 10 inch. After using the nils the gas augers will only be in truck for emergency use. Best purchase I have made in augers.
Mwal
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