Electric auger upgrade

Not what I wanted but have to buy a new auger….my ion has been bullet proof for 9 years. Any thoughts on alpha vs. alpha plus or Eskimo???

I have a alpha plus, I really like it so far . either one I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I really like the poly flites, ice doesn’t stick to them.

Quite a few guys here with Alpha Plus and I have never heard a bad word about them. I have a Strikemaster that has been flawless so I am not in the market for another, but I would consider the new Ion if I were now that they have improved some things I didnt like about the old ones.

I have the eskimo 10″ composite. Very happy with it so far this season.

The Strikemaster 40 volt is awesome because you can put cheap greenworks batteries on them.

I’ve been very happy with my strikemaster 40v lite flight. Dave’s 10″ eskimo rips as well and I don’t think you can go wrong with either ion.
I’d suggest going with what you can find the best deal on.

How do the Ion Alpha and Eskimo E40 handle super cold weather? Like -20 or less morning and don’t have a truck to keep it warm. I know first hand that the SM 40v and Dewalt drills do really well below -20 when the SM 24v and the Milwaukee struggle. Never seen the Eskimo or Ion Alpha in super cold though.

I just got an E40, but haven’t used it yet. Eskimo and Ion are both Ardisam companies, so I went with the money savings (around $150 I think) and 5 year vs 3 year warranty.

tswoboda wrote:

How do the Ion Alpha and Eskimo E40 handle super cold weather? Like -20 or less morning and don’t have a truck to keep it warm. I know first hand that the SM 40v and Dewalt drills do really well below -20 when the SM 24v and the Milwaukee struggle. Never seen the Eskimo or Ion Alpha in super cold though.

I havnt had my eskimo e40 batteries in that kind of cold. But below 0 a decent amount just sitting in a sled unheated and they were totally fine.

Just got back from 6 days in Ontario. We had a big group and multiple augers and combos (unfortunately not the new Ion to compare to though, but I’ve heard great things)

Much of the trip was below zero, ice was 7-12″ thick.

Everyone’s favorite auger was my 8″ Pistol bit with a big 12AH Milwaukee battery. I did the majority of drilling for the group of 10 as we hole hopped from spot to spot on machines.

The big battery makes a tremendous difference compared to 5ah or 8ah, especially in the cold.

For the last few years I ran a DeWalt with multiple 5ah batteries, the Milwaukee 12ah blows that thing away.

My 40V lite flite Strikemaster spent most of it’s time sitting at camp.

Whatever you get, make sure it’s a composite. The guys with steel augers we’re icing up just after a few holes and required a lot more chipping/cleaning, not to mention the added weight.

I have a K-drill and SM 40v lite. Got the SM after seeing how much faster it was and went 10in for the wheel house. I don’t think there really is a bad choice for electric augers now. It all comes down to personal preference but it does seem that they are constantly changing and coming out with better every year.

I went from an old ion to an E40. It is AWESOME. Incredibly lite, powerful and fast. I have had it since last year and I still have fun just drilling holes.
Disclaimer-I have not used it on super thick ice yet.

Alpha Plus is the best out there right now, The E40 and Strike Master 40v are next in line.

B-man wrote:

Everyone’s favorite auger was my 8″ Pistol bit with a big 12AH Milwaukee battery. I did the majority of drilling for the group of 10 as we hole hopped from spot to spot on machines.

The big battery makes a tremendous difference compared to 5ah or 8ah, especially in the cold.

Good stuff, thanks! It’s the 5ah milwaukee batteries I’ve seen get the clicks in the cold, not surprised the 12ah does a lot better. Matching the red drill with the red auger counts for a couple extra HP too

Appreciate all the feedback back. Definitely going composite, just trying to narrow down on brand, I’m partial to ion since my existing has held up so well….but a lot of great points made on multiple different brands. See what the old google machine provides for good pricing.

I think the Eskimo pistol bit 2.0 or the strike master lite flite would be my choices. Both lightweight and cut incredibly fast and effortless.

Dewey catchem and how, had good auger sales right now. That’s where I found my 40v last year. Blew the price away from scheels or anywhere else I could find.

If you already have an ion and have an extension I would think that would fit the new one. I have multiple extensions and a quick connect with extension from my solo so it was a no brainer to get the SM 40volt. I havent used any of them with the 40 volt though LOL

Bearcat89 wrote:

Dewey catchem and how, had good auger sales right now. That’s where I found my 40v last year. Blew the price away from scheels or anywhere else I could find.

Same here, Bearcat. I picked up a 40v lite flite from them last year with an extra battery for just under 400 almost a year ago to the day. Love that thing. The weight difference is amazing.

I just picked up an Eskimo pistol bit from Tutts for $99. For that price it wasn’t hardly worth fixing my old auger. Works good so far and comes with an extra set of blades.

So far, I am a fan of the E40 8″ Composite. Likely the last auger I will ever buy.

Reeds is running the free battery deal, so a 8″ poly with an extra battery is $449

Has anyone tried a 10″ Pistal Bit or converted a 10″ Lite Flite to work on a Millwakee M18 drill?
I have 8″ Lite Flite but want a 10″ option for my permenant house holes without jumping into a 40 V setup.

Jason wrote:

Has anyone tried a 10″ Pistal Bit or converted a 10″ Lite Flite to work on a Millwakee M18 drill?
I have 8″ Lite Flite but want a 10″ option for my permenant house holes without jumping into a 40 V setup.

A 10″ bit through a bunch of ice would be asking a lot out of a drill setup. I wouldn’t try it myself. It would require clearing each hole multiple times and would be hard on your drill. 6-12″ of ice is one thing, but a couple feet of ice or more wouldn’t be fun.

The 8″ Pistol bit does a decent job at reopening shrinking holes, I’d stick with the 8″ myself (that and I hate 10″ holes lol)

Hookset wrote:

Not what I wanted but have to buy a new auger….my ion has been bullet proof for 9 years. Any thoughts on alpha vs. alpha plus or Eskimo???

just out of curiosity, what broke on your ion?

also, for you electric auger guys, curious how much you guys have drilled thru 3 ft of late season ice? like where you’d need an extension – how does the electric perform drilling all day with an extension on?

B-man wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jason wrote:</div>
Has anyone tried a 10″ Pistal Bit or converted a 10″ Lite Flite to work on a Millwakee M18 drill?
I have 8″ Lite Flite but want a 10″ option for my permenant house holes without jumping into a 40 V setup.

A 10″ bit through a bunch of ice would be asking a lot out of a drill setup. I wouldn’t try it myself. It would require clearing each hole multiple times and would be hard on your drill. 6-12″ of ice is one thing, but a couple feet of ice or more wouldn’t be fun.

The 8″ Pistol bit does a decent job at reopening shrinking holes, I’d stick with the 8″ myself (that and I hate 10″ holes lol)

Do you think the 10” bit would be worth it for lake trout? I have a 8” lite flite and am currently shopping for a 10” mainly for lake trout. Thoughts?

I would think 8″ be fine for trout, unless you fishing waters with monster lake trout in them.

Why not just cloverleaf your holes with a 8″.

If you want an 10″ hole for late ice I would get the Eskimo propane, they were on clearance for $239 not to long ago.

I own an Eskimo 10″ propane and use it when I need to as well. I was just wondering if a guy could run a 10″ bit thru 2′ of ice with a hand drill. I know the 12 amp battery will power the 8″ Lite Flite with ease so I assume it would also turn a 10″ as long as you go slow.

In regards to drilling thick 30″+ ice and a Lite Flite it works good but you will need to peck more often to keep the chips out. I have drilled thru 40″ of ice at LOW multiple times with an extension up there. If you don’t clear the chips out the fins will actually bend over and the hole thing will lock up in the hole. One time I thought it was stuck forever!