Strikemaster lithium 40v 8 or 10 inch??

Looking at gettting the 40v this year but cant decide if I wanna go with 8 or 10. Just looking for some input from people who have them.

I have used the 10, it’s great but I don’t like laser blades I prefer a chipper blade especially with electric. The laser blade tends to grab at the bottom of the hole more in my opinion. Still a great tool. I personally own a k drill 8″ and will never go back

The 10 is hard on electric. We have a guy here in Manitoba who tested both, the 10 was horrible. Unless your after lakers or pike, stick with the 8 in electric.

8 inch. And if needed for big pike days then double or triple hole

KPE wrote:

I have used the 10, it’s great but I don’t like laser blades I prefer a chipper blade especially with electric. The laser blade tends to grab at the bottom of the hole more in my opinion. Still a great tool. I personally own a k drill 8″ and will never go back

Unless there is something special about the 10” on the electric, a laser drill should never catch at the bottom of the hole. If it does, the pitch is off. Usually caused by banging the drill at the bottom of the hole to remove ice from the blades. They use very soft steel to prevent breakage at very low temperatures.

I experienced this with my old 8” laser. I bought a new auger and it never catches no matter how you drill the hole.

If the pitch is off, you need to take it in, preferably D-Rock to get it pitched correctly. Unfortunately it’ll never cut like new again though.

Good news that any old StrikeMaster drill will fit the 40V head. So if you purchase the 10″ and want a 8″, 7″,or 6″ you can buy the drill separately and have multiple drills for the 40V. Most retailers, will have them available to purchase, I see you are from northern MN, I assume Reeds or Marine General in Duluth should be able to get you a drill or right from Rapala.com as well. Otherwise Craigslist can be your friend on this as well.
I got the 40V in the 8″ model, but my StrikeMaster gas auger was a 10″, I have also accumulated a 6″ drill for panfish. All interchangeable with the 40V and my gas auger if necessary.

I have the 10″ 40V and it works just perfectly. Yes some of the other electric models had issues, but the new 40V is awesome. Never catches at the bottom of the hole and I’ve yet to run out of battery with it, but didn’t do much hole hopping with it. It’s perfect for the wheel house, don’t have to open windows or anything. Just walk in turn the furnace on and start cutting. With that said we never reopen holes as we move from spot to spot with the fish house and pull it off each weekend. I’ll honestly say I’m overly impressed with how well it works. I had some reluctance getting one as a 10″, but I’m glad I did.

Bigwalleye30 wrote:

I have the 10″ 40V and it works just perfectly. Yes some of the other electric models had issues, but the new 40V is awesome. Never catches at the bottom of the hole and I’ve yet to run out of battery with it, but didn’t do much hole hopping with it. It’s perfect for the wheel house, don’t have to open windows or anything. Just walk in turn the furnace on and start cutting. With that said we never reopen holes as we move from spot to spot with the fish house and pull it off each weekend. I’ll honestly say I’m overly impressed with how well it works. I had some reluctance getting one as a 10″, but I’m glad I did.

It wasn’t mine but we opened it brand new and got it on the ice. Not saying it’s bad, just saying every hole we had the same issue. Some say it’s because electric doesn’t habe the low end torque that gas has but I do not experience this with my 8″ chipper blades on my electric sugar so I’m inclined to believe it has to do with blade style. Again though I love my k drill and would never switch now. The strikemaster is a great unit overall sure beats a gas auger. Also don’t lose your batteries down a hole or you will have a bad day

Spinning a 10″ bit is a lot to ask of a battery.

What are you fishing for?

As mentioned you don’t need a 10″ auger unless you are targeting BIG fish.

A 10″ hole might seem like a good idea for every fish, but they can be detrimental.

Fish can’t effectively swim backwards, but in a 10″ hole many are able to turn their bodies and get back down the hole.

Tyler, I can tell you from experience that the 10″ choice will perform very well with the 40v powerhead, the actual 10″ hole cutting time is very similar to a gas running with a 10″ auger in 16-24 inches of ice. There was a comment here that mentioned the 10″ is hard on the electrics. I can tell you from testing that the 10″ will meet and exceed your expectations with many years of run time before you need a new battery pack. On a side note: The 40V will cut 10″ holes in 20 inches of ice twice as fast as the ION 10″. I do agree that a person should stick with an 8″ if they are doing normal fishing versus big lunkers. If the big pike or muskies are your priority than go with the 40v with 10″.
Also in regard to hand drill and auger combinations. I have concerns with safety for your hands and wrists as well as actually damaging the power drill. We experienced this first hand.

Thanks for all the input. I think im going to get the 8 inch. it just concerns me a little when im targeting pike and lake trout but you can get a pretty big fish up an 8 inch hole.

I have the 50 volt in 10″. The big hole is nice for using two rods or electronics with a rod in one hole. The 50 volt is discontinued and the batteries for it dont seem to last. They gave me a free battery but now I’m thinking of trying to sell the 50 volt. I’ll get an 8 inch Honda 4 stroke next.