New Auger – SM or Nils

Hello,

I’m in the market for a new auger this upcoming year. Is SM releasing anything new that I should be waiting for. Really looking at the Honda 4S or the Nils / Tanaka combo. Want something lightweight and relieable. I already have a lazer Mag that is getting put on the bench as backup. It has the 9″ blades. I am looking to put a 6-7″ blade on this new auger so that I can really rip through the ice when searching for fish. Any input on the Honda or Nils/Tanaka combo. Would like to hear pro’s and con’s of each. Thanks

I have heard that Tanaka has stopped the import of the motor used on the Nils Auger. If that is true it may be a game changer. lots of folks going with the cordless drills.

Bee, I haven’t heard that yet….That would sure limit my options…Unfortunately batteries are not a option for me….drill too many holes. The honda might be getting the nod, just wondering if SM has any plans of updating their lineup…seems like it has been a few years since any major switch up…

How many holes is a lot for you? If you’re only looking into a 6-7″ auger then a drill combo might actually work well. I’m not a fan of electric just because I only use 10″ holes but a 6″ hole is literally a third of the amount of ice needed (28″sq vs 78″sq). I think the game changer is Milwaukee’s announcement that they will be soon releasing a 9AH battery this fall. Might be a little more expensive but if you get an 18V combo kit with two 5AH batteries and pick up an extra 9AH battery there is no way you would run through all of those batteries in a day. If you really do drill a lot of holes then being lightweight is worth it’s weight in gold. Can’t beat a 10lb drill assembly when hole hopping.

I am also going to be looking into the Drill game.

I spoke with Nils this spring when I ordered a few replacement parts. They are working on importing more drills but are unsure if they will be the TED-27 or TIA-35. It would be a darn shame if they could not reach a deal with Tanaka, I love my Nils more than any auger I’ve owned. You can sometimes find them used on CL for an arm and half a leg.

Some say they don’t hold up as well, but I’ve bounced mine off my gator at 25+MPH and ran it over and it drilled just fine after…remember to strap your augers in before you take off…

I switched from gas to Nils with a electric drill For what I do the 6 inch was fine and I drill about a dozen holes an outing. I have never run out of juice. I do have spare battery but have not used it. It drills faster than my gas Jiffy or my strikemaster.

Mwal

Milwaukee is coming out with a 9 amp battery this fall. I’d look at a Milwaukee M18/clam plate/lazer 6″ combo. Should be able to get close to 2000″ of ice drilled with the 9 amp battery. Looking at about a $650 investment ($300 for the drill, $200 for the 9amp, $80 for the bit and $80 for the plate), and that’s with two more 5 amp batteries in the drill kit. I bet you’d get over 3000″ of ice. $50 more and no gas, lighter weight and you’ve got a really nice drill too.

I have a Tanaka 262r and a lazer 6″ agurer (black) on it. Yes Nills on a drill are nice. Go on craigslist or Ebay. You can find the Tanaka 262r head. If its decent buy it and get the adaptor for the black lazer hand held auger. You will love this set up. There are a bunch of us that use this setup in my area. People cannot believe how these work. Even the Nills and battery people. Shawn

I run the Clam drill plate with Milwaukee M18 2703 drill & 6″ lazer synthetic or 7″ lazer all ice season long, thin or thick ice. I carry 6 batteries and seldom do I go through 4.

I also run the Tanaka 270 PFDH powerhead on the 8″ kdrill. Although I use my kdrill on my clam plate not once did I fire up my Tanaka to be used on ice.

Battery powered ice auger is the way to go. I drill on average 40-60 per outing.