power augers

[remmi]

If you were to buy a power auger,what would be the best one to buy.Thanks for your help.

[brad arnett]

I bought a new one this season. I did alot of research. It seems the guys out it Minnesota and those other states where they get alot more ice than we do all prefer the Nils, but at 500$ it is quite expensive. I narrowed my choices down to the Nils and the Strike-lite. I ended up with the strike-lite only due to price. They were clearanced out here and I managed to pick up the last one the store had for 300$. I couldn't find any deals close to that on the Nils auger. If I would have had to pay full price for the strike-lite I would have bought the Nils though.

People have been having problems with the Strike-lite leaking oil from a crankcase seal. The one I bought does not leak at all, but some do. I am still up in the air about the plastic auger bit, but they seem to be working out pretty good. I haven't read about too many other complaints, other than some icing up around the collar. I am happy with the strike-lite though for now.

[STEELNEYES]

I'm happy with my Jiffy. It's a 60's vintage and I haven't had a lick of problems with it. Every winter when I go to get it ready for the season, it starts by the third pull.
Does anyone know if I can still get a new auger portion for it. I'd like to go from the 7" to at least an 8", maybe even a 10". Pulling big trout, walleye, or pike through the 7" is a little tricky. And I know one of these days, I'll have one that I won't be able to get up through the hole.

[flinch]

You will get as many opinions as there are manufactuers of augers because everyone wants to justify why they bought the one they did, not because one is better than the other. You will also get all those opinions about why you should buy a cordless drill and an auger attachment, so those people can justify why they won't spend the money for a real auger. The bottom line is to decide what is more important, weight, size, performance, etc. Forget about cost because they are all expensive. When I bought one I wanted reliability and reduced weight, so I bought 2 hp jiffy. I figured jiffy has been around forever and you still see those old ones on the ice and the 2 hp cuts just fine for me. Next was the size of the auger. I couldn't decide between 8 or 10 inch so I went with a 9 inch and it has done everything I expected. You may decide a laser 10 inch better suits your needs or some other model and manufacturer. It really doesn't matter as they all make your life easier, which is why you are buying it in the first place.

[krt]

I would just suggest that you buy a 2hp or less. The 3 hp isn't worth the extra weight. Back when I bought my jiffy, I figured bigger would be better. Now I think different.

[sfw1960]

I have a Strikemaster Mag III (Mag 2000 is the "new" model) - I've had it for 10 yrs. and I finally trashed my drill ass'y this year, up until then - all I ever did was feed it gas & oil and I think I put two plugs in it.
:evilsmile

R

[Radar420]

Just a head's up. Not to bash anyone or insinuate that one power auger is better than another since I don't even own one but it seems that this years Jiffy augers have been having quite a bit of problems.

[FISH21]

Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express 8" best auger I've ever used!!

[Oldgrandman]

I would just suggest that you buy a 2hp or less. The 3 hp isn't worth the extra weight. Back when I bought my jiffy, I figured bigger would be better. Now I think different.

Yeah my strikemaster 3hp 10 inch cut is a hog to lug around. But I can use the exercise ;) . Would go smaller if I could do it over again though.

[jigworm]

I got the StrikeMaster Strike light last year and really like it. I was a little concerned with the composite auger, but so far so good and the wieght difference is great. I like the 4 stroke engine, it's quite, starts good and doesn't smoke. We'll just have to see if it holds up for 15 or 20 years like some of the old Jiffy's. I think it's a fine choice for the weekend angler who's upgrading from a hand auger.

[sfw1960]

Yeah my strikemaster 3hp 10 inch cut is a hog to lug around. But I can use the exercise ;) . Would go smaller if I could do it over again though.
Mine's a 2HP and I made myself a "Super-Secret NASA Sled" as Wally-eye calls it... it's sits high in the air , has conduit runners and I can strap a 6GAL bucket on each side of it and it pulls with one finger when we don't have a gob of snow on the ice.....(does anything pull good with a buncha snow?) I made it with scrap wood and two hunks of 1/2" EMT condaL00-it...
:lol:
It's a frEEkiN' contraption all right - but asking anyone who's seen it or pulled it... I sure like it!!
Mister ED , Wally-eye , STEINFISHKI , Timdog and I'm sure there's others that can testify to it's frEEksH0w look... but IT WORKS. If ya got a lil Red GreeN in ya , I can always take a picture or two & post 'em up....(got a bender - or know somebody?) I got no "plans" I just get an idea in my head & listen to the "voices"
:yikes:
I just start fudge'in something together.....
:lol: :lol:

PEACE!!

R

[eddiejohn4]

I have an old jiffy, have never had any problems at all.

[The Whale]

This is my third year for my power auger choice. I definitely would do it again. StrikeMaster ELECTRIC !!! Yes, electric. 12V. On-board, (yet, easily removable) re-chargeable battery. 7" hole size. I've drilled over 20 holes in 12" - 14" of hard clear ice before wearing the battery down. Unit comes with a light-weight set of "jumper cables" to attach to ANY other 12V source (ATV, snow-machine etc.), if/when you do wear the battery down out there. Comes with a charger of course. No motor noise, no gas/oil, no fumes, no stink, drills old holes open easily as well as new ones. Best $$ ever spent next to my Trap Pro, x67c, underwater camera, quad, rods, reels, lures, etc. etc. etc. Geez, is there no end ? :D :lol: :dizzy:
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/medium/Elec_auger.jpg

[sfw1960]

Nice WP Border Jeff!
:)

[nashtrash69]

I have a Eskimo 8" that I have used for 6 years now and it always starts right up .I have only changed the plug once and sharpen the blades 1 time and will rip holes pretty fast .The only down side to it is the blades are not easy to find so you will need to learn how to sharpen your own .

[live2fishdjs]

My BIL bought an electric up in MN this year and it is very nice. If it was a big concern you could have 3-4 batteries charged at a time. It uses the same battery as a Vexilar and we were cutting 15 holes through 30 inches of ice.

I have a Jiffy 3HP that is faster (we had to have the race:evil: ), but the convenience of the other is real nice.

If I was to do it over again it would be a tough choice between the electric and a 4-Stroke.

[newfish]

which power auger weighs the least?

[FISH21]

which power auger weighs the least?

I believe the Strikemaster Strike Lite is lightest power auger on the market as of now.

[One]

Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express 8" best auger I've ever used!!


:yeahthat:

[thos1971]

I am seriously thinking of getting an electric in the off season. I have heard very little about them other than the couple posts on here, which all seem to be good. Anyone have any reasons to stay away from one of these?

[busybeaver]

If weight is not an issue go with the jiffy. I was sold on the strikemaster until I researched them. The jiify and most strikemasters use the same motor. Where stikemaster saves weight is in cheap plastic parts where the jiffy uses metal. 10 yrs for a bit, come on my buddy has had his jiffy for 12, hasn't even sharpend his blades and he drills a ton of holes.

[Whitetail70]

I believe the Strikemaster Strike Lite is lightest power auger on the market as of now.I disagree Fish21, my Dewalt 18v is pretty light. :lol:

[sfw1960]

If weight is not an issue go with the jiffy. I was sold on the strikemaster until I researched them. The jiify and most strikemasters use the same motor. Where stikemaster saves weight is in cheap plastic parts where the jiffy uses metal. 10 yrs for a bit, come on my buddy has had his jiffy for 12, hasn't even sharpend his blades and he drills a ton of holes.
And I suppose your buddy has used his for digging post holes with the standard bit & drill LIKE I HAVE??
:rant:
Several years ago I cracked a weld (and didn't notice it) on my drill ass'y digging holes when I was catching rocks & roots!
:yikes:
It just got steadily worse until it got FUBAR .....
I guess if you KNOW the whole situation then you can speak intelligently about someone else's situation.
:lol:
If it wasn't for the fact I bunged up the bit really good drilling roots , rocks -N- dirt , there's a good chance I'd still be using the same bit too!
FYI : My Mag III has STEEL "butterfly" handles and after hearing all the horror stories this season about Jiffy's GRINDING , I'm not so impressed with Jiffy's trannies.
The older ones seemed good though.
You're right , the Tecumseh engines are made in the same cHiNeSe polebarn and the drills are different.... Dupont Zytel is some tough plastic - and my best friend who doesn't take care of $#!T just told me today that his Mag 2000 (with Zytel handles) was the best investment he's ever made for ice fEEsHiN' !
Anyways ~ I'm afraid MY AUGER only has a plastic throttle trigger & choke slider - Oh I guess the gas tank is too.... But for the $239 I paid for it TEN years ago - it doesn't owe me a dime. I'm going to have the old screw welded back up - BUT I'm going to ONLY use that for digging post holes.
:dizzy:
??????
I don't recall the title of this thread saying anything about my dad's auger is better than your dad's auger....
:lol: :lol: :lol:

But my Lowrance CAN beat up your Vexilar!!
:p

I disagree Fish21, my Dewalt 18v is pretty light.

BTW - Where's that DeWalt gearbox gunna be in ten years???
LMAO!!!
In the JUNK DRAWER!!!
R

[busybeaver]

Well you didn't say that you used your ice auger for drilling in the dirt.by the way lowrance sucks.

[Whitetail70]

I have three dewalts and only use one of them for the ice. Also, I prefer to use them on ice not dirt!

[busybeaver]

Back to the original post . I am 1 of the people that had problems with a jiffy. The fist one had a bad clutch never even used it. Returned it got a new one have drilled maybe 300 holes with it. No problems ecxept the tecumseh motor kinda starts hard 4-5 when it cold. If I was a sissy or for some other reason couldn't or didn't wan't the extra weight I would go with the strike lite.You will probably be happy with any of the brands. But for reliability jiffys rep is second to none.

[kcarlson]

I think busy beaver is full of bull $#!! because the last time I checked he owns a lowrance and likes it! so I think it would be hard to beleive anything he says.

[busybeaver]

ok ya got me. just trying to get sfw going.I love his posts.''no sarcasm intended.''

[sfw1960]

I'd use my auger drilling the farmers cow to make burger IF I could get away with it...
:lol:
You're right Lowrance sucks REAAALLY GOOD!!
:lol::lol::lol:

[MAttt]

I've had a 8 inch strikemaster for 10 years now and have only put plugs in it a few times so far and finally put new blades in it this year and it still runs like a champ.
It looks like it will last another 10.

Jiffys are great, but after all the problems people have had with them this year, this is not the year to buy one IMO.

[MiketheElder]

Buy this one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPHJ9ibC9A&mode=related&search=

[sullyxlh]

Buy American!! :)