How to choose an electric drill for winter fishing and make an electric drill with your own hands

Winter , or in other words, ice fishing, despite the frost is very popular among anglers around the world. However, in some areas, it is much more difficult than classic open water fishing. Before every angler who decides to go out on the ice, first of all, the question arises – how to break through the ice shell and get to the water. The classic option is a manual ice screw, but its use requires a lot of skill, and also consumes strength. And such work in the cold can hardly be called pleasant. One of the alternatives to manual labor is a gasoline drill, which can facilitate the procedure for creating a hole, but it also has a drawback – increased noise can scare off potential prey on a large area. Are there better options? Yes – its name is an electric drill.

Electric ice screw for ice fishing: design, advantages and disadvantages

Like other counterparts, the electric ice auger is used in ice fishing for drilling hard ice surfaces. Only instead of manual power or gasoline, it consumes cheaper and quieter electricity compared to a fuel drill. In Russia, it is not easy to get such devices for sale and it is not possible in any region, therefore, many fishermen make electric augers for winter fishing with their own hands (drawings and explanations below). Electric ice auger consists of:

• electric motor;
• storage battery;
• cases with handles;
• a coupling and a drill auger directly;
• knives;
• charger.

Electric drill is a necessary tool for active winter fishing [/ caption]

The performance of an electric drill depends primarily on the parameters of the auger and the power of the engine installed on it.

Advantages and disadvantages of using electric augers for winter fishing

If we consider the advantages of electric ice augers, in comparison with their gasoline and manual counterparts, first of all, the following are worth mentioning:

1. Easy drilling . The almost complete absence of vibration and the need for physical labor makes drilling a part of the rest.
2. Silence . The electric drill makes almost no noise, which increases the chances of success, especially when fishing for such cautious fish as bream, roach and other underwear.
3. Light weight . The electric drill has a low weight in comparison with gasoline counterparts. And therefore, with such a device, it is easier to move around the reservoir.
4. Immunity to low temperatures . The electric ice auger is able to work quietly in winter without additional maintenance.
5. Possibility of recharging from the car . Many models of electric drills are capable of charging from a battery.
6. Fast preparation . Easy to put into working order and just as quick to fold.
7. Environmentally friendly device . Does not release combustion products into water and air.

Not without flaws, even if they are few.

1. High cost . A high-quality, lightweight and productive electric drill is an expensive pleasure, the price for such models can reach 100,000 rubles, and therefore many people prefer to do with handicraft homemade options or a hand drill.
2. Limited resource of work . It can drill far fewer holes without recharging than its gasoline counterpart.

Criteria for choosing an electric drill – what to look for?

Before purchasing such a device, you should pay special attention to the following parameters:

1. The proportionality of the power of the electric motor to the task at hand . For most standard drill augers, models with an electric motor of 1.5 kW or more are ideal. The power depends, among other things, on the number of drills on one battery charge.
2. Mass . Sometimes it is necessary to overcome a considerable distance on the ice to the place of fishing and between fishing points, and therefore the smaller weight of the equipment is a major advantage.
3. Knife type . The most popular are straight, serrated, two-stage, three-stage, hemispherical knives. Different types of knives are optimal for different conditions. The straight knife is the most versatile and can be used successfully on any type of ice – dry and wet, but wet ice is slightly less effective; the serrated knife cuts well into the viscous wet ice; spherical are good for any surface; stepped ones are designed for dry ice, which they successfully crush.
4. Convenience . The electric drill should be easy to use, which mainly concerns the size of the handles for which it is held during operation, as well as the ease of access to the control buttons / levers.
5. The versatility of the coupling . Some manufacturers make couplings mated only with screws of their own production, which can cause inconvenience if it is necessary to change the diameter.
6. Price . The choice of the final option is largely tied to the financial capabilities of the buyer.

Types of knives for winter drills [/ caption]

The best models of electric drills for winter fishing that can be bought in the CIS

Despite the wide variety of battery drills, it is not so easy to find them on the CIS market, below are some of the best models that you can actually buy:

1. Ion Power Auger . One of the most popular models of electric augers manufactured in the USA. With a mass of only 10 kilograms, together with a proprietary auger, it does its job perfectly. Drilling is quiet and smooth. However, the average cost of this model is around 80,000 rubles.
2. Mora Ice Strikemaster Lithium . Also, like the previous version, it weighs about ten kilograms, but excluding the auger. The brainchild of Finnish manufacturers, more modest in price. The model costs about 60,000 rubles. It is distinguished by high efficiency of work, and is also capable (according to the manufacturer) of making about 60-70 holes on one charge, with an ice thickness of 40 centimeters.
3. EBA-20 is one of the domestic electric drill models, which appeared as a result of import substitution of foreign models. With an average cost of 30,000 rubles, including the included auger, it has very good characteristics and durability of the structure.
4. Mora Ice Electric 140 . One of the most popular models of electric drills by Mora, which is distinguished by its great unpretentiousness and versatility. The electric drill Mora Ice 140 works quietly not only from standard batteries, but also from the electrical network of a car or ATV / snowmobile, for which a three-meter cable is attached to it. Weighs 10 kilograms, with an average price of 20,000 rubles.
5. PATRIOT CA408 Li 40B . A more budgetary version of the production of the USA. It does not directly relate to fishing equipment – according to the manufacturers, this drill is universal, and can easily cope with any attachments, including ice augers. With a mass of about 6 kg, the device costs 16,000 rubles.
6. Ruff – 250W . The 250 watt electric drill Ruff of Russian production is reliable and rather minimalistic in terms of design. Its efficiency is not very high, but this device, which costs about 13,000, has a number of advantages. First, it weighs only 4.7 kilograms without auger. Secondly, it has special adapters that allow you to mate with it screws of any production. This model easily copes with drilling holes up to 200 mm even with a regular 12V battery.
7. Ruff – 110W . An even more budgetary analogue of the previous version, costing 10,000 rubles on average. The main difference is the less powerful motor, which forces the use of more serious 16-18V batteries to achieve a similar result. However, it is much lighter – only 6 kg.

A detailed review of the electric drill Ruff: https://youtu.be/zoTaUCleJTU

Homemade electric drill from electric power steering: video instruction

Even the minimum prices for electric drills will not be to everyone’s taste, and it is not always possible to buy them everywhere and not always. Especially for people with some craft skills and desire, there are homemade options that can be built from improvised means.
The electric power steering is the part of the vehicle that gives it optimum ease of use. If the car goes to scrap metal for one reason or another, this part can be used in such an interesting way. But even if there is no suitable car, on the Internet you can find advertisements for the sale of used electric amplifiers, from 2 to 10 thousand rubles at a price.
Fishing auger from power steering [/ caption] Processing an electric booster into a drill is laborious and not for everyone, but the result is a fairly light and compact device (about 7 kg), adapted to the owner’s hand. Of course, a difficult car battery for a homemade drill will have to be carried separately, as well as augers will have to be purchased. An option for making an electric drill for drilling holes in winter fishing from an electric power steering: https://youtu.be/21yfXwBK8z8

How to make an electric drill from a screwdriver: instructions with video, drawing

The most popular and affordable option for a homemade electric drill. However, for him, you should try to get the best quality device.
Drawing of a homemade electric drill [/ caption]

Step 1: choosing the right screwdriver

What criteria should be followed:

1. Power . The higher the power of the screwdriver, the better it will serve you. It is highly recommended to choose screwdrivers powered by 18V or higher batteries. The weaker ones run the risk of quickly failing.
2. Torque . The higher the torque, the more efficient the drilling will be. The minimum allowable torque value is 50 Nm, but it is better to choose models with an indicator of 80 Nm or more.
3. Chuck rotation frequency . A high frequency will be harmful, and therefore models with a rotational speed of 300 to 450 rpm are most suitable. If the minimum speed is higher, you will have to be puzzled by the additional planetary gearbox.

Step 2: battery selection

The next aspect that is important to consider is the battery. The best option for winter fishing is the so-called metal hydride (NiMH) battery, which is frost-resistant and has a high capacity. Several of these batteries for a screwdriver can easily cover the needs of even a very active fisherman. Nickel-cadmium (NiCd), although resistant to frost, are too large and take a long time to charge, while having a small capacity. And lithium-ion (Li-Ion), with all their advantages, are not only too expensive, but also poorly interact with low temperatures.

Step 3: select the adapter for the electric drill

To transmit torque to the ice drill itself, you need an intermediate adapter. After all, the diameter of the drill auger is usually such that it is impossible to clamp it directly into a screwdriver. The required adapters are on sale, and cost from 500 to 3000 rubles on average, depending on the layout. Adapter purchased for an electric drill
based on a screwdriver [/ caption] If you have no desire to purchase it, you can try to make this element yourself according to the scheme below. But it is labor-intensive and unlikely to pay off, compared to even the cheapest factory sample.
Self-made adapter [/ caption] Drawing adapter for a standard screwdriver chuck for self-recessing [/ caption] Choosing a screwdriver for a drill for winter fishing: https://youtu.be/vdkbpbls7hs

We make a homemade auger for an electric drill

Cheap options for drill augers cost in the region of 2-3 thousand. However, some anglers prefer to use homemade samples. It is worth understanding in advance that this is an extremely time-consuming task, and it will be much easier for many to spend a little money and save a lot of effort. An example manufacturing process is shown below:

1. A tube is cut off with a length of about 1 meter and a diameter of 15-20 mm. It is recommended to weld the ends of the tube immediately, in order to avoid moisture penetration inside.
2. Sheet metal is welded onto this pipe in the form of a standard screw. It is usually very difficult to weld the whole sheet, and therefore it is welded in fragments of 10-20 centimeters. Usually 5-6 full turns are enough. The joints are carefully welded and then cleaned.
3. On the “tip” of the ice auger, plates of cutting knives made of high-quality steel are welded. However, you can use any material – you just need to take into account that low-quality steel will quickly wear out.
4. The shank is adapted to the parameters of the existing adapter.
5. The entire product is painted to extend its service life.

Homemade starter

DIY homemade electric drill from a starter: https://youtu.be/5JLmsOH-xbs How to make an electric drill for winter fishing with your own hands: https://youtu.be/ZaGplQ9HObM

Recommendations for the use and care of the electric drill

In order for the equipment to serve you faithfully and truthfully as long as possible, you should treat it with care and follow some simple rules:

1. Avoid overheating the motor . This is especially true for cheap or handicraft samples. If you feel that the case temperature has risen significantly, it is better to allow the equipment to rest, even if it is designed for such loads.
2. Hold the drill firmly with your hands while drilling , distributing the load evenly. It will also increase its lifespan.
3. You need to dry the device after returning from fishing. Never pack it in cellophane or other containers until completely dry.
4. In the summer period of “rest”, it is necessary to lubricate the working surfaces of the ice screw with lubricants .
5. Monitor the condition of the cutting edges and sharpen them if necessary . This will reduce stress on both the device and the hands.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that an electric cordless drill is necessary primarily for anglers who cannot imagine their life without ice, snow and many drilled holes. If 5-10 fishing trips are planned for the winter, then an ordinary hand tool will be enough – it is good for your health and will save your budget.

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