Cordless drill adapter for ice auger?

Seen these at Fleet Farm lately for $22-$30.Does anybody have any experince with these?

I bought one before I was able to afford a gas auger. It worked really well with a brand new 7″ hand auger. I had a small issue inserting the adapter into auger by hand, as it would get stuck. I believe this was caused by the paint on the inside of the auger and the outside of the adapter. I just cinched it really good into my drill, held the auger between my feet, and carefully worked the adapter into and out of the auger several times to rub off all the paint.

After that, worked great. You will need a high torque drill. My standard Skil cordless drill would cut the ice, but not if you put any downward pressure on it (I could cut it faster by hand). However, were you to use a corded drill with a power inverter and a battery, or use a hammer-drill (much torque, and typically they have variable transmission) it’d work great. I could cut about three holes with my cheap 18v Skil.

Told my buddy about these, he was highly skepticle, but he bought one, and a 5 inch Lazer hand auger, cuts like butter, and he said he did 9 holes no problem with a 18v decent cordless drill, said it had no signs of slowing down after the 9 holes. (about a foot of ice)

I think the smaller the auger you have the better, and IMHO, I wouldn’t mess with anything less than a Lazer blade.

He also added a 6 inch bar across the auger the top in case it came loose from the drill, it wouldn’t fall through the hole.

As Nick mentioned, I also got to check out a modification a guy on the Madison Chain had done with his. He drilled a 1/4″ hole about 30″ up from the blades through the shaft. Ran a piece of bar stock (about 7″ long)through it and spot welded it in place. Then took another piece of bar stock and made a circle out of it around the two ends of the bar stock that went through the shaft and welded in place. Works as a handle to carry, and if the shaft disengages from the drill, it can’t go through the ice. This was also done on a 5″ lazer

I bought one earlier this year to try on my 6″ for eaarly ice-well, I’ve been using it ever since, just finally broke out the power auger this week. Best money I’ve spent this year! Have been drilling through 12″-14″ of ice. Was getting up to 30 holes on my 18v when it was 6-8″, now maybe a dozen. Keep the batteries warm, and the blades sharp! One of those purchases that I have been thrilled about ever since! Still carry it for quick trips, it’s WAY lighter than the gas auger!

-Rev

Check these out. I believe you can find some videos of them in action on youtube as well.
http://icefishingtoday.com/pages/buy_ice_auger_accesories.php

This is the one I ended up buying. Haven’t tried others, but have no qualms at all about plugging this one-it’s been great to me! Icemaster Adapter
-Rev