Good auger?

[thmyorke1]

Father and I are looking for an ice auger. He used a manual one back in the day, are electric ones better even for less hardcore ice fishing?

Any makes to avoid? any favorite models? Maintenance? I have little knowledge on augers and can use help with a good purchase.

Thanks!

[saxmatt]

Father and I are looking for an ice auger. He used a manual one back in the day, are electric ones better even for less hardcore ice fishing?

Any makes to avoid? any favorite models? Maintenance? I have little knowledge on augers and can use help with a good purchase.

Thanks!
I switched to an electric drill last season when my Eskimo propane auger broke. Milwaukee and Dewalt both make electric drills that work well for ice fishing. I went with the Milwaukee mud mixer and a 9.0 battery and it’s lighting fast with my 8” mora bit and even works with my 10” Eskimo bit that weighs 14lbs. You can also get a drill setup for a fraction of the price of the Ion and Strikemaster electric augers. The Kdrill and Eskimo pistol are good bits for electric drills but if you have a mora I’d just get the adapter on Amazon for $15 and you’re good to go.

[saxmatt]

Here a video of the mud mixer and kdrill. The 8” mora bit actually cuts faster than this.
https://youtu.be/_OCmSD18c4k

[Jigman13]

8" nils. Just make sure its clean ice. No sand or dirt. Avoid shallow stuff. They're butter smooth. Zero downward pressure needed. You CANNOT nick the blade. Keep it oiled and covered.

I bought mine w an extra head just in case. Very few places can correct or sharpen the nils but it's a fine piece of ice equipment.

I wanna upgrade to a 10" but wanna choose wisely. I'll go propane or electric eventually.

[NJSquatch]

I have little knowledge on augers and can use help with a good purchase.

I have a lightly used eskimo 8" gas auger for sale. It has had maybe 1.5 cans of trufuel (non ethanol gas) ran through it PM me if interested. I upgraded to a diesel.

If you go with a manual auger stick with 6" or less. Manual drilling an 8" hole gets old real fast.

Electric augers are all the rage but are pricey IMO. here is a comparison video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u3ZIv8z16o&feature=youtu.be

You can convert a cordless hammer drill like Matt suggested. Be sure to buy a brushless model with a lot of torque and have enough battery to last the day (5ah or greater). you will need an adapter and an extension to work with your auger of choice. Lots of guys use the Mora

more info on augers than you could ever want
https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?board=73.0

[thmyorke1]

Thank you for the info Saxmat, Jigman, and Squatch!

I have a lightly used eskimo 8" gas auger for sale. It has had maybe 1.5 cans of trufuel (non ethanol gas) ran through it PM me if interested. I upgraded to a diesel.



Yes interested, sent a pm.

[FASTEDDIE29]

If your getting a hand auger get a Nils! I can drill a hole pretty damn fast with that thing. It’s amazing!

My gas auger is super light. Some kinda Eskimo 8 inch or whatever. Cost me 299.00 3 years ago and I have zero regrets.

The Kdrills and all other options mentioned are all awesome ice drills. You just need to know what your willing to drag on the ice. Text me if you have questions homie!