Which gas auger to buy??

[ryppinlyp]

With all the recent sales all the sporting good stores are having I was thinking of buying a gas auger, but I was wondering if their are ones to avoid. I've looked at alot of them on line and at stores but would like any advice.

[woodie slayer]

i have a 3 HP jiffy.i don't think i'll ever need another in my lifetime..
i didn't buy the one with the stealth bit i bought the de-icer bit. works great and never ices up when you lay it down..


i prefer the 3 hp over the 2 hp..doesn't have to work to cut

[Joe R.]

I currently use a 2 hp Strikemaster Lazer 10". Works very well for me and no issues with it for me. Very pleased. My dad has a 8" Eskimo Pirahana 2 hp. No problems with it in 7 years of use. I've used just about every brand of auger out there. Most are powered by a 2 or 3 hp Techumse (sp?) engine. So basically it boils down to the cutting bit you like better. Any power auger will work well as long as it is properly used and maintained.

Joe

[hunter62]

I love strikemaster because I have always had an 8" hand auger. But a few years back I bought the Jiffy Stealth STX 8" and have had no problems with it. Based on my research I settled on a Jiffy, because of reputation and word of mouth for power augers. I also have a friend with an eskimo/barricuda and it seems to work well. I am not saying that Strikemaster power augers are bad, I just haven't had experience with them. From what I have read the Nils Master 8" is the premier power auger if you won the lottery, but I stand by my Jiffy.

The one thing I've noticed is that any auger that comes with a primer, normally 3 HP, is way easier to get to start on the 1st few pulls. The 2 HP seems to take a few pulls to find the right choke setting for the temp of the day. If you want a 10" hole you better go for a 3 HP, otherwise look for an 8" and 2 HP that is lightweight.

[ifish4eyes]

I bought an ice gator last week. I used it four times so, have poped 40 to 60 holes so far 12" of ice. So far I'm satisfied with their product. There were three major factors in my purchase decision, no gas to mess with, it uses strikemaster hand auger for the auger bit ( so if some reason it does not work I can take the auger off and put my old handle back on and I back to popin holes ) and last reason the rpm 2 to 4 times faster than a Gas auger. I bought the larger unit that handles a 8" auger hole. Sounds Like a sales pitch, just giving you options. http://icegator.com/

[jigworm]

I have the 4 stroke Stikemaster. It's light, quiet and starts pretty good in cold temps. A little pricy but worth it.

[mkroulik]

I have a Jiffy 2 HP Stealth. I am very happy with it. It has a little button on it to reduce the compression when pulling so it pulls easier. It doesn't have a prime button though, so it takes about 4-5 pulls. I've found with mine that if I set the choke all the way, it will catch and start for a couple seconds after about the 4th pull. Then I turn the choke all the way off, and it starts on the next pull. Almost every single time. It cuts like a dream, and seems very good on gas.

Mike

[ryppinlyp]

Thanks for all of the replys, now the delema is weather I want a 6 or 8 inch. I found a store that has a 6in. jiffy 77 but its a little out of my way.

[InTheRiver]

My buddy just bought a Eskimo Viper, really looks like a solid machine. I have a 5 year old eskimo only problem I had was it leaked a little gas out of the carb I cleaned it and it stoped. My buddys Viper sounds good starts good and has a faster bit speed as well, if I was going to purchase one thats what I would get.

[Gone Fishing]

I just received my new Strikemaster 6” electra lazer auger. Whisper quiet and plenty of power. Just another option to think about although it is a bit on the pricey side. Ordered it Sunday from Minnesota and was at my house Wednesday. Here's a link:
http://www.reedssports.com/Category/main.taf?cat=922
http://www.reedssports.com/Sites/reeds/Image/catimages/StrikeMasterElectra.gif

[DetroitIron]

Don't buy anything with the 2hp tecumseh powerhead (though you may have trouble, as most are supplied as such) You'll be sorry. Look up my recent post on Strikemmaster 2hp - I just returned this chinese junk. I'll be looking for a "new" (should I say "old") strikemaster/jiffy auger at least 10 years old, one that was built in USA. If I have to buy a new carb, so be it, at least the rest of the unit will be quality built. The new ones are junk. Still pi$$es me off when I think about it how this "new" unit ruined two of my fishing trips.

[Southend517]

I have a jiffy model 30, no problems drilled tons of holes every year. 3 years old. It is alittle on the heavy side. I have seen some of those electric ones in actions and they work pretty good - light, quite, no mixing gas, no buying gas. I might look into one of those. Usually I take along the mora just in case on long trips.

[thill]

I bought a jiffy over the others mainly because it seems to be built much tougher. All metal handle instead of hard plastic. I'm sure the plastic handles will hold up great if you take good care of them...but as we all know...stuff happens. Imagine running across the lake with your new auger on your snowmobile or ATV and it falls off. Would you rather have metal handles or hard plastic??? Me too!

[kbkrause]

I just received my new Strikemaster 6” electra lazer auger.

Nice John, not bad for a bucket butt... ;)

Honestly, I think these are a great option, especially if you have a quad or sled...

[djvan]

I've owned a jiffy model 30 10" bit for 20 years, the only thing I have ever done to it is put a carb kit in it. (I think 2 or 3 times) and a few plugs, never fouled one though. I do store it empty (run it out) off season. I know some will say not to run them out of gas but I've been doing it 20 years without any problems. (Boy 20 years, am I that old?) It does seem to "catch" just as you break through the ice. I'm told shimming the blades could help. I should buy new blades as these are original. Never professionally sharpened, just touched up with a stone. I probably have changed the angle of the edge causing the catching problem as I don't remember it doing that when new. I have never sharpened the bottom side only the top (requires removing blade to do so).

So I'll get off my soapbox now.

In my opinion Jiffy model 30 is the way to go. (there must be a reason the model 30 is still available after all these years). Some changes but basically the same auger I bought 20 years ago.

The only thing I would change is I would get an 8" as a polar tip up can go through a 10" hole. I doesn't seem like it, but I have seen it happen.

HTH's

DougV>

[grouly925]

I have a 3 hp Jiffy legend in 10". I don't think I would trade it for anything. Powers through 20" of ice like we have right now in no time and (with the primer) starts on 1st or second pull, every time.

[gibby]

I got a 2hp Jiffy Stealth. third year and no problems at all.

Gibby

[ryppinlyp]

Thanks for all the advice on this subect. I called a local Gander Mt. this morning to see what they had and had a new Jiffy Stealth STX put on hold so I could get it after work. Well this afternoon I get out and low and behold they gave the auger with my name on it to someone else that had there name on another one that was still behind the counter. How pissed off would someone get?:rant: So maybe it wasn't ment to be so maybe next year i'll get one. Again thanks for the advice.

[grouly925]

I would demand that they get one from another store and knock off a few more bucks, or let you get an upgraded model for the same buck. Thats horse***** putting one on hold for you and then selling it to someone else. They should have to pay for that screw up.

[ScavengerMan]

Don't buy anything with the 2hp tecumseh powerhead (though you may have trouble, as most are supplied as such) You'll be sorry. Look up my recent post on Strikemmaster 2hp - I just returned this chinese junk. I'll be looking for a "new" (should I say "old") strikemaster/jiffy auger at least 10 years old, one that was built in USA. If I have to buy a new carb, so be it, at least the rest of the unit will be quality built. The new ones are junk. Still pi$$es me off when I think about it how this "new" unit ruined two of my fishing trips.


Bad news for me. Last year I got a Strikmaster for a present. Continued using my old unit until this year (when the warranty is up, but unused). That SOB will not stay running. It starts up, but when you put the power to it the motor stalls. The darn thing will NOT stay running under a load.

I didn't realize the new POSs are made in China. Looks like I might have a lemon and got the shaft. Thanks for the warning, but it might be too late for me.

[harleyharry]

The only problem with your Strikemaster is a minor adjustment to the carb. To check this, try to cut a hole with the choke lever in the partialy closed position. If the auger will cut at this time, the high speed jet will need to be adjusted. If your carb is not adjustable, running the engine on partial choke may flush out any contamination in the carb.
BTW. That POS you refer to is not made in China. The engine is a Tecumseh engine. The carb on the engine is made in China or Ireland, depending on what brand carb it is.
The engine on your auger is installed on about a half a million pieces of machinery every year, and has been for the last 18 years. There is bound to be one from time to time that gets by quality control.
It is amazing to me as a small engine and outdoor power equipment dealer for the last 25 years, that people continue to purchase outdoor power equipment from discount stores, box stores, and non servicing retailers, for the lowest price possible, and continue to bitch because there is a minor glitch in the equipment.
Your engine has a two year warranty. Take the unit to a Tecumseh warranty repair servicing dealer, and they should take care of it.

Harry

[Bagman]

Been using a new strikemaster lazer mag express 2hp. Got the 9" because I've gotten to many feet wet with the 10. Also tip ups seem to want to fall down that 10" hole a little easier.:lol: Haven't had any problems, but I do recommend using the short pulls to start. I've heard of a lot of people having trouble with the recoil and I believe they are pulling to far and hard on the cable. A couple pulls with the choke,when it starts and dies I push in the yellow compression button turn off the choke and its time to rock.

[rdubu]

I have a very nice condition 3 hp jiffy with a 10 inch blade and a 12" extension, I will sell you for 250

[ScavengerMan]

The only problem with your Strikemaster is a minor adjustment to the carb. To check this, try to cut a hole with the choke lever in the partialy closed position. If the auger will cut at this time, the high speed jet will need to be adjusted. If your carb is not adjustable, running the engine on partial choke may flush out any contamination in the carb.
BTW. That POS you refer to is not made in China. The engine is a Tecumseh engine. The carb on the engine is made in China or Ireland, depending on what brand carb it is.
The engine on your auger is installed on about a half a million pieces of machinery every year, and has been for the last 18 years. There is bound to be one from time to time that gets by quality control.
It is amazing to me as a small engine and outdoor power equipment dealer for the last 25 years, that people continue to purchase outdoor power equipment from discount stores, box stores, and non servicing retailers, for the lowest price possible, and continue to bitch because there is a minor glitch in the equipment.
Your engine has a two year warranty. Take the unit to a Tecumseh warranty repair servicing dealer, and they should take care of it.

Harry


Thank you very much for the advise Harry.

[ESOX]

I just received my new Strikemaster 6” electra lazer auger. Whisper quiet and plenty of power. Just another option to think about although it is a bit on the pricey side. Ordered it Sunday from Minnesota and was at my house Wednesday. Here's a link:
http://www.reedssports.com/Category/main.taf?cat=922


You are going to need it. John a bucket butt? Hell has indeed frozen over. I guess we will all be launching for three weeks in August from now on.



John an ice fisherman.
This is really disturbing, I need to make an appointment with my shrink.

[kbkrause]

You are going to need it. John a bucket butt? Hell has indeed frozen over. I guess we will all be launching for three weeks in August from now on.
John an ice fisherman.
This is really disturbing, I need to make an appointment with my shrink.

Paul, this might put you over the edge, but he's also looking at baitcasting reels...

[sfw1960]

Paul, this might put you over the edge, but he's also looking at baitcasting reels...
:lol::lol::lol::lol: