Need a new auger. Ion or K-Drill?

Kentucky Windage

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i have a funny feeling that the clam adapter plate must end up costing you guys a few holes on each battery. which makes some sense i guess. mine hasn't even left the truck so it sits out in the cold all of the time and i know i've got 25 holes for sure out of it. this is devils lake. i haven't measured the ice yet. but, i am guessing its at least 24 inches.

That was my thought too. The gear box add on has 2:1 gear and double the torque. I had a clam plate without the gear box. Sold it off, I might be interested again if the gear box is legit. Otherwise, just more added weight to lug around.
 


Kickemup

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i have a funny feeling that the clam adapter plate must end up costing you guys a few holes on each battery. which makes some sense i guess. mine hasn't even left the truck so it sits out in the cold all of the time and i know i've got 25 holes for sure out of it. this is devils lake. i haven't measured the ice yet. but, i am guessing its at least 24 inches.

You don't want to use the gear box with the kdrill. It is made to run around 550 rpm. I get more holes out of a battery now that I put the clam plate on. Mine is a direct drive.
 

guywhofishes

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Yes sir

with 1200 in/lb of torque on the latest Milwaukee drills you don't need a gear reduction robbing you of energy (use speed 1)

the clam plate - without a gear reduction - combined with a high torque drill is the way to go
 

Captain Ahab

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I used a Clam plate with a 20v Dewalt and a 6 inch Mora. That thing even worked pretty darn slick(except Moras always grab when punching through).
 

buzzard01

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Do not buy an ion auger....I bragged mine up to be the best thing since my jiffy...on winter #2 and different story. I replaced the blades because of drilling where sand had blowin off the point onto the ice,replaced with new blades and first hole they broke..of coarse they were past the 90 day warranty because they were a spare backup set. ion did not want to cover them, didn't understand why I would carry 2 sets of blades and be past 90 day warranty. Now today my second battery took a shit after a year.. same story,why do I have and carry 2 batteries and be past warranty...The people at ion are not fisherman and understand about spares for when shit goes south...k-drill is my next because I know millwaukee stands behind there batteries from experience at work.
 


Kentucky Windage

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I just got the clam plate put on my kdrill and my hole count came up to about 15 on a 5amp. We have 32 to 34inches right now.

I'm struggling to see how you are able to punch more holes by adding the clam plate. Would it not take just a very small amount of additional energy to turn another bearing/shaft?

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That's why I sold mine. Felt like I didn't need something more bulky and 5 more pounds.
 

wby257

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I have a new Ion with reverse and one without. I have had zero problems and have drilled lots of holes. Everyone has there own opinion on what they have. And very few people will find fault in what they have unless they have a bad experience then they bad mouth them. I think both setups are good. Which ever one fits your need get it.
 

guywhofishes

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I like how the Clam plate bearing carries the load/strain of the auger - drill just provides torque
 

Kickemup

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I'm struggling to see how you are able to punch more holes by adding the clam plate. Would it not take just a very small amount of additional energy to turn another bearing/shaft?

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That's why I sold mine. Felt like I didn't need something more bulky and 5 more pounds.

It probably does take a little more to turn but it also take unnecessary torque off the drill.
 

KDM

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I have an ION and I would get the K-drill. Cheaper batteries and you can use the drill for other things. My ION works great, but if you can multi task a piece of equipment, IMO, that's the better option.
 


Kickemup

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I have an ION and I would get the K-drill. Cheaper batteries and you can use the drill for other things. My ION works great, but if you can multi task a piece of equipment, IMO, that's the better option.

Dont you have fish to clean?
 

KDM

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Nope, I just threw'em in the back of your truck before I left. (Grin)
 

espringers

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Where can i find the non gear box adapter plate?

Nevermind. Found one.
 
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Kickemup

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Amazon I got mine from gander mtn I think fleet farm has them also. You will need the clam plate to kdrill adapter also.
 


Kickemup

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IMG_0652.jpg
Quick google search and fleet has them.

- - - Updated - - -

Just seen that it's temporarily out of stock online.
 

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