02-12-2023, 07:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-12-2023, 07:45 PM by BearLakeFishGuy.)
You can get a manual auger at Sportsman's for $59. Then get a cordless drill with lots of torque. Personally, I see other guys using $300+ Milwaukee drills, but I have the Lowe's FLEX brand has even more torque and costs a fraction of the Milwaukee (about $200) and mine came with two batteries (5amp, 2.5amp), charger and case. I have used it last year and this year to turn my 8", Mora auger that is over 35 years old. It cuts as fast as any other auger out there. Its light and the best part is the drill can be used the rest of the year on other projects, whereas a specialized auger (Ion, etc.) has only one function which is to drill ice holes. I'll never own another power auger. There is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED to spend big bucks on fancy named augers or expensive drills, when a cheap, basic auger and a high-torque drill will do the job. If you have any questions, ask me! I don't need a K-drill, Nils, pistol bit, etc. Just keep your blades sharp and don't band 'em on the ice.....ever.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. Get a $59 manual auger, adapter ($20 on line), and FLEX brand drill from Lowes ($208). I had the old 8" auger so it was free. My friend made an adapter out of a grade 8 bolt (free) to fit into my drill. I used a round piece of 1/4" plywood to ensure it won't go through the hole if it came out of my drill (never has in two years). So for about $200, I'm drilling with the best of them and can use my drill all year long. Check the torque on the drill you buy and make sure its enough. The Milwaukee's are great, but the FLEX is even better for way less money.
(you forgot about the cost of a charger for the Milwaukee drill too).
(02-12-2023, 07:13 PM)JeepNut Wrote: So unfortunately I just bought the Milwaukee M12 drill with batteries and charger. So I went and looked up the prices on what some of you have:
M18 drill with two 5AH batteries. $300
Clam plate with gear reduction. $170
Nils 6" auger. $140
That comes to $610 which is about in the middle of the dedicated augers. Maybe I'll have to watch for some used parts.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. Get a $59 manual auger, adapter ($20 on line), and FLEX brand drill from Lowes ($208). I had the old 8" auger so it was free. My friend made an adapter out of a grade 8 bolt (free) to fit into my drill. I used a round piece of 1/4" plywood to ensure it won't go through the hole if it came out of my drill (never has in two years). So for about $200, I'm drilling with the best of them and can use my drill all year long. Check the torque on the drill you buy and make sure its enough. The Milwaukee's are great, but the FLEX is even better for way less money.
(you forgot about the cost of a charger for the Milwaukee drill too).
![[Image: Scott-cisco-with-TDs-lure.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/Sc0QLy5/Scott-cisco-with-TDs-lure.jpg)