StrikeMaster Lite-Flite With Milwaukee fuel drill or strikemaster 40v

Trying to figure out which way to go with this. Does the drill last for multiple years or does it really wear it down? I know weight wise the drill is a lot lighter. What are the takeaways from both?

I’ve been running my hilti drill as a auger for 4 years, no issue. Last year I added a clam plate and I love it.

I run a Dewalt 996 drill with a Clam plate on an 8 inch Lite-flite. I’ve only used it 1 season but so far it works great.

3 years for my Fuel with no indications of slowing down. I use it a lot in the summer too.

I decided to go the drill route this year, so I don’t have a history with it. But this has probably been the most discussed topic this off seaons. what my research showed, is that if you can afford it, the 40v is tough to beat because of ease of use and power. However, people with drills and lite flites seem very happy as well. I am someone that uses tools a lot, and all of my yard power tools are dewalt, so it was easier for me to justify putting money into tools and batteries that I can use all year. It is not a big thing to bring out some extra 5 ah batteries becuase I already own them. Lowes has a deal going on a kit with a DCD998 hammer drill, an impact driver and 8 ah battery for $299, plus you can pick a free bare tool (I picked a $200 circular saw). So for me it was a good oppertunity to boost up my tool game as well. I think having a big enough drill and the strikmaster cuts easily, it should hold up.

here is the lowes deal I got, it is good until 11/17: https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-Power-Detect-XR-POWER-DETECT-2-Tool-20-Volt-Max-Brushless-Power-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-Soft-Case-Charger-Included-and-2-Batteries-Included/1002097720

mxskeeter wrote:

I run a Dewalt 996 drill with a Clam plate on an 8 inch Lite-flite. I’ve only used it 1 season but so far it works great.

Adding to this my Dewalt cut 48 holes in 16 inches of ice last year and never needed to use my 2nd battery. I have 2 5ah batteries I take out every time I’m on the ice.

This year will be my 4th or 5th season with my milwaukee Fuel and a K-drill. The only problem I had with the setup is last year I had to replace a flight on my K-drill. It was cracked where it meets the shaft. I drill a ton of holes each winter. Between myself and my fishing partner we have 5 batteries. That is more than enough to get the job done. My fishing partner is going to replace his k-drill this season with the lite flight. Will use the Lite flight to cut new holes and use my K-drill to reopen old holes. Best of both worlds. Knock on wood. Have not needed to go the clam plate route yet. My side handle on the fuel is still holding up fine. Got the plate and adapter sitting in the garage if its ever needed. Hoping its not. Prefer the use with the handle rather than the plate.

I have been using the Milwaukee m18 hammer drill with clam plate the last 3 seasons. My Milwaukee (model no. 2704) had to be replace last season due to malfunction. I did get a chance to use my buddy’s 24v SM lite flite last year and I wasn’t impressed, it was slow and wobbled more than my drill/plate setup. One thing I would say about the drill is during single digit temps while hole hopping, the battery will drain faster.

I have been using the Milwaukee Fuel with the K-Drill for 3 years now,(with NO problems). I take a small soft sided cooler and put my batteries in that with 1 or 2 hot hand heater packets (Depending on the temps), and the batteries have not let me down yet. I always remove the battery from the drill after drilling the holes.

I’ve drilled next to Milwaukee drills for years. IMO, there’s really not a comparison when talking about durability or speed.

Similar to this speed wise…
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd2dr9Dg/