How to Choose a Cordless Drill/Driver for an Ice Auger: Which One is Suitable for Ice Drilling and How to Connect It

27/01/2026
by Тимофей Щепин

How to Choose a Cordless Drill/Driver for an Ice Auger: Which One is Suitable for Ice Drilling and How to Connect It.

How to Choose a Cordless Drill/Driver for an Ice Auger

For drilling ice during winter fishing, an cordless drill/driver with high torque is ideal. Regular models cannot handle the load, and choosing the wrong tool can lead to failure. In this article, we will discuss what kind of drill/driver is needed for an ice auger, which specifications are important, and how to correctly connect the auger to the drill/driver.


Can You Drill Ice with a Cordless Drill/Driver?

Yes, you can drill ice with a cordless drill/driver if it is:

  • a cordless drill/driver
  • a model with high torque
  • a tool designed for operation in cold conditions

Corded drill/drivers are not suitable — they are inconvenient and unsafe on ice.


How to Choose a Drill/Driver for an Ice Auger

What torque is needed for an ice auger?

Torque indicates the force with which the drill/driver rotates the auger.

  • minimum acceptable value — from 60 Nm
  • optimal for comfortable work — 120–150 Nm

The higher the torque:

  • the easier the ice drilling
  • the lower the load on the motor
  • the longer the tool's service life

What Battery Capacity is Best for Winter Fishing?

Battery capacity is measured in ampere-hours (Ah) and affects operating autonomy.

On average, one 4 Ah battery is enough for about 40-80 holes. The exact number depends on ice thickness, air temperature, and the type of ice auger.

It is recommended to use two batteries to have a backup for extended operation.


Does a Cordless Drill/Driver Work in Winter Frost?

Does a cordless drill/driver work in winter frost?

Yes, if the batteries are designed for low temperatures.

All Bort battery models operate stably at temperatures down to –15 °C, which is especially important for winter fishing.


How to Choose an Ice Auger and Connect It to a Drill/Driver?

You can choose an ice auger that comes with an adapter included or purchase a separate adapter with a shank for the drill/driver. The presence of a reverse mode in all Bort drill/drivers removes the limitation on the rotation direction of the auger, allowing you to work with a left-handed auger.


What Adapter is Needed for an Ice Auger and Drill/Driver?

When choosing an adapter, it is important to consider compatibility with the drill/driver and the auger:

  • Pay attention to the shank diameter. Bort drill/drivers BAB-21Ix2Li-XDK and BAB-21X have a chuck diameter of 13 mm.
  • An additional handle significantly eases the work with the auger. Models BAB-21Ix2Li-XDK and BAB-21X already come with a long side handle, so you won't need to purchase an adapter with an extra handle.

Which Drill/Driver is Best Suited for an Ice Auger

For winter fishing, a drill/driver with the following characteristics is optimal:

  • 18 V battery
  • high torque
  • 4 Ah batteries
  • ability to work in frost
  • additional side handle

Recommended Models

1. Bort BAB-21Ix2Li-XDK Ideal for ice drilling, convenient for long fishing trips.

  • Package includes: 2 batteries, 4 Ah each.
  • Comes with a long side handle, which is convenient for controlling the auger during operation.
  • The drill/driver features KickBack Control mode: a safety system that automatically stops chuck rotation in case of a sudden kickback (jerk) of the tool. This protects you and your hands from sudden jerks, and the tool and your work from damage.
  • Frost-resistant battery, withstands temperatures down to -15 °C
Bort BAB-21Ix2Li-XDK Bort BAB-21Ix2Li-XDK

2. Bort BAB-21X

  • Sold without battery — ideal for those who already own a tool.
  • Comes with a long side handle, which is convenient for controlling the auger during operation.
  • The drill/driver features KickBack Control mode: a safety system that automatically stops chuck rotation in case of a sudden kickback (jerk) of the tool. This protects your hands from sudden jerks, and the tool and your work from damage.
  • Frost-resistant battery, withstands temperatures down to -15 °C
Bort BAB-21X Bort BAB-21X

All Bort models are compatible with Makita 18V LXT system batteries. The Bort battery mount with a unified connector allows using batteries of any capacity within the Bort ecosystem or Makita 18V LXT with a nominal power of 18V. The recommended battery capacity for use with Bort drill/drivers BAB-21Ix2Li-XDK and BAB-21X is 4 Ah and above.

Why It Is Important to Choose the Right Drill/Driver

The right tool speeds up drilling, saves effort, and allows you to enjoy winter fishing without unnecessary fatigue. Bort cordless models provide reliability, durability, and compatibility with other tools in your ecosystem.

27/01/2026
by Тимофей Щепин

Feedback


By clicking "Register" I confirm that I am legally capable, and that I agree to receive information about the processing and receipt of my order. I also agree to the processing of the personal data as described in this document.

Company News / Blog

Информация
27/01/2026
How to Choose a Cordless Drill/Driver for an Ice Auger: Which One is Suitable for Ice Drilling and How to Connect It

How to Choose a Cordless Drill/Driver for an Ice Auger: Which One is Suitable for Ice Drilling and How to Connect It. For drilling ice during winter fishing, an cordless drill/driver with high...

Read more
Информация
27/01/2026
Complete Autonomy and Mains-Level Power.

Complete Autonomy and Mains-Level Power. The main advantage of the BORT BWS-18Li-XDK cordless angle grinder is complete freedom of movement. You are no longer limited by cable length. Now you can...

Read more
Информация
27/01/2026
Lightweight. Convenient. Exactly what a hammer drill for work should be

Lightweight. Convenient. Exactly what a hammer drill for work should be. BORT BHD-18Li-XDK – lightweight, well-balanced, and doesn't cause fatigue when working at height or holding the tool at arm's...

Read more
Информация
20/01/2022
Vacuum sealers and their application in sous-vide cooking technique

Sous-vide cooking method Bort BVV-200 vacuum sealer Maintaining a healthy lifestyle Healthcare is directly related to proper nutrition. The increasing number of people is sticking to a healthy...

Read more
Информация
14/12/2021
What to give for New Year?

New Year – time to change your life for the better Food waste disposer BORT TITAN 4000 Choosing a gift is a hard task, but not for Bort! Thinking about a gift to give your family the New Year? Set...

Read more
Информация
02/11/2021
Housecleaning with steam

WHAT STEAM CLEANER TO CHOOSE AND WHAT FOR? Kids’ toys disinfection Why do you need a steam cleaner? Find yourself thinking that the flooring, windows, cushioned furniture aren’t perfectly clean, and...

Read more
Информация
02/11/2021
Benefits of ionized air

Ionized air Air washer Bort Natural air ionization The main reason for sickness, frequent headaches, chronic fatigue is excessive pollution in modern megacities. At the same time, all the sickness...

Read more
Информация
01/11/2021
Vertical vacuum cleaner for home with wet cleaning function BORT BSS-22DC-MULTI AQUA

CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER BORT BSS-22DC-MULTI AQUA Сleanliness of the car interior thanks to BORT BSS-22DC-Multi Aqua Novelty 2021! It’s high time to upgrade your house and car salon cleaning! Our...

Read more
Информация
19/03/2019
HAND MADE MOBILE PEDESTAL

Creator of the work Kirill Shvalyov Manufacturing complexity ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ How to build a mobile pedestal with oneself? In our small article we will tell you what kind of power tools and materials will...

Read more
Информация
26/10/2018
New car impact wrenches Bort BSR-12H/BSR-12X

Car impact wrench – is a tool for screwing and unwinding nuts and bolts. It can help car-drivers to change flat tire without any problem. Car impact wrench BSR-12 is a model well accepted by car...

Read more