Auger question, Can I convert my gas aug to a drill aug?

[stinkbait]

I have a 8'' Eskimo 33cc gas powered auger that has been great for me over the last 10 years, but I want to get with the times and start using a drill auger for less noise, weight, and smell.
So my main question is am I able to just buy a drill attachment/connecter/conversion kit to attach a drill to the Eskimo shaft? is it that simple? Or do I need a completely new auger?

Also please leave good drill recommendations as I don't think my cheap black and decker drill is going to cut it.

[VBB]

You will need a clam plate and a nice drill like the Milwauke M18 fuel along with a new hand auger. The clam plate/drill attaches to the bottom part of your hand auger and you will be good to go. The blades on my 7 inch auger can't cut through 2 inches of ice by hand but with the drill and attachment I am going on season 6 or 7 with original blades on them and thousands of holes drilled.

[Disco]

I would get any drill with 1200 pound torque and a 8” Eskimo pistol grip or equivalent auger you like.
The clam plate is optional.
I have a clam plate and like it but it’s not absolutely necessary.
I do use a Milwaulkee personally but those Rigid with the life time batteries are awfully good. Possibly if I didn’t own everything else in Milwaulkee and have a ton of Milwaulkee batteries I would probably buy the rigid.

[sabmgb]

I agree a clam isn't required, but it makes life a whole lot easier with one, well worth the 120. Also agree any drill with a torque over a 1000 will do. I use a Dewalt brushless hammer drill, only because I have all the other dewalt toys. I think the milwaukee fire would be the way to go if I had to do it all over from scratch.

[ice_addict]

Hi Stinkbait,

What it really comes down to is do you have $$ burning a hole in your pocket because switching over to the drill operated auger can become costly. Now I will say that I use it and love it but I never owned a gas auger before I started. Most likely if I had one and it worked I wouldn't have seen the need to switch. To be honest it would probably be better to sell your current auger and use the funds to purchase the items below instead of trying to convert it.

This is what I use. Of course a cheaper drill will save $$.


Milwaukee Tool M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 inch Hammer Drill/Driver W/(2) 5.0Ah Batteries - Make sure you get 5.0Ah batteries $420.

Clam Drill Auger Conversion Kit - $120. Amazon has it on sale for $100 right now.

Fin-Bore III Manual Ice Auger - 8 in. $130.

So with tax you are looking around $750.

For me I already owned the auger and I had purchased the drill for work/home renovation so it made sense to buy the plate and covert my manual.

I hope this helps.

[riverrat]

You need this.. On sale right now, get now before you see ice because when there is ice it is sold out. Went through that last year!

https://www.amazon.ca/Clam-9935-4567-0792-D...ps%2C162&sr=8-2

[stinkbait]

Thank you all who replied!

Based on the info gathered from you guys I'm going to run the Eskimo sting Ray for 1 more season, and start building up my drill auger for next year. So I'm going to keep an eye out for sales because I'm planning on going with the 8" Eskimo Pistol grip, clam auger conversion kit, and a Milwaukee drill (I've hear lots of good praise for the Milwaukee's).

[stinkbait]

Thanks for the heads up ice_addict, and Riverrat!
I just checked Cabelas and they are also on sale there for 100$

[ice_addict]

Hey Stinkbait,

Definitely look out for sales and mistakes in flyers and unknowing homedepot staff.

When I picked up the hammer drill 2 years ago, TSC now Peevy Mart had a boxing day sale for the M18 Fuel hammer drill but it wasn't brushless and I don't even think it was the half inch for $250.

So I went to homedepot and showed them the flyer and was able to score the brushless one that was regular 499 at the time for $250 with an additional 10% knocked off. I posted on the board and a couple guys were also able to get the deal.

The point is if you don't need it right away just keep an eye out and check flyers every now and then and you may be able to score a nice discount on the drill.

[stinkbait]

Ha ha. Reminds me of the time at Cabelas a few years back when I price matched a large order of on sale ammo from a bass pro flyer priced in American dollars. 🤣

[reelinginthebigone]

Can't Americans get ammo in gumball dispensers? You can get a friendship ring, or an incendiary round for a 50 cal... always a surprise in every turn!

[isthereice]

There's also the option of the Ion Electric Auger or the Strikemaster equivelant. Ive heard only good things about them and the prices are comparable to the M18/ clam plate/ pistol grip setup. The Ion is $820 and the Strikemaster $789 at Canadian Tire. Of course, if you also want the drill for other things it doesnt really matter ☺

[allister1944]

princess auto has 8 in hand augher for 69;00

[bassmasterrr]

Why does everyone love the clam plate so much? To me it’s a waste of money .. just use your drill and put the pistol grip or k drill right on the drill ? Been using my Milwaukee and pistol grip for a few years now no need for a clam conversion kit.

[stinkbait]

Yeah actually I might return mine because all the videos I’ve seen of the Eskimo pistol bit are guys using it without the clam plate and just drill direct to auger, and it seems to cut the ice easily and drills strait.
Now just have to wait for the 18v Milwaukee drill, two 5amp batteries, charger package to come on sale.