Ice auger to drill conversion

[fishingbimmer]

Hey guys. Just bought the Kovacs ii ice master conversion kit the other day and a new 20v dewalt drill. . Wondering if anyone has had experience with this set up with an 8" auger bit .. Hoping to know if this is a good option or if I should reconsider a gas auger. I don't see myself drilling more than 15 holes in an outing.

 

[Knuguy]

You'll be pushing the limits with that combo. I have a 6" auger and I probably would not get any more than 15 with my DeWalt. Mind you, my drill is not brand new so the batteries have a shorter life than new ones.

 

[salmotrutta]

Wonder how that conversion kit compares to the one by Clam. Ice Master is 1/3rd the price, but the reviews I read indicate that for some drills it's actually better..

I was set on getting the one by Clam but now I'll have to do some more research.

 

[Shawarma]

Did you order the kit online?

 

[MartyLee]

I have not used one myself, but I know 2 people that have them and they seem to like them, but they do not drill too many holes 6 or 8 tops through 8 to 12 inch of ice on average. (8Inch auger).

 

[Shawarma]

I figured with two batteries and never drilling more than 10 holes anyway, it'll make life alot easier.

I wonder how long the batteries would hold up in the 30" of ice we had last year lol.

 

[fishermandan420]

Just watch as some drills dont work well in the cold. From what i hear the Milwaukee drills are the best. And drills work better on the finbore style augers

 

[fishingbimmer]

shawarma - I bought it at the new bass pro at Niagara on the lake.

salmo - let us know what you find out. I spoke to a guy today that thought it would be wise to have an auger where you hold with two hands (like the clam does) so that you reduce the chance of breaking your wrists ( yikes).

liger - the packaging does say that you should get up to 20 holes . website says the following "the average recommended setup, about 20-25 holes. You probably can get 50 with a new 24v drill, a 4" auger, new blades, new batteries, 6" of ice and a 55 degree day. "

perhaps my 8 inch auger is going to be up for sale soon :->

 

[buck]

All i had last year was a makita with 2 18v batteries and a six inch auger and it sucked, i ended up using my 9 inch gas powered jiffy for the rest of the season...i hear that the porter cable 20v are good in the cold

 

[Knuguy]

Just bought 1 of these at CTC for about $12

http://www.wholesalesports.com/storefront/ice-fishing/augers-tools/nordic-electric-ice-drill-adapter/prod289020.html

 

[fishermandan420]

Make sure you make a disk or something bigger than the hole. Those adapters have a tendency to fall out of the drill Chuck

 

[Knuguy]

Agreed. I used 1 last year with the rig I had, which was a hole saw fit over the top of the lower shaft. However, the shaft of the hole saw was circular whereas this one is octagonal(or maybe hexagonal). The hole saw ID was a bit too big, so there was some slop which tended to loosen the shaft in the chuck. If I could find a chuck that tightens with a key rather than hand tighten then I think it would have even less tendency to come loose.

 

[123chadder]

the conversion kits blow,i got 7 holes off one battery,and when it dies,it dies completely!

 

[salmotrutta]

Considering I can easily pack 2 batteries, that's 14 holes. On average last winter I drilled 3 holes per outing, maximum maybe 7-10 and that was rare. So 7 holes / battery is definitely suitable for someone like me.

 

[Shawarma]

Same here, salmo. I'd never drill that many holes in an outting anyway. Maybe if I wasn't walking it would be a different story but usually a few holes and the hut goes up.

 

[123chadder]

when im perch fishing i drill upwards of 100 holes a day..gotta stay on top of the fish...ill stick to my jiffy