Auger Suggestions

[jakemcarroll]

I'm going to be in the market for my first gas auger. Technically it will be a used auger, but new to me (probably looking to spend around $200-225). Anyways, I'm looking to get out more this year than last which would mean a minimum of one trip per week. I would probably be drilling 20 or more holes per outing. I'm looking for suggestions on minimum HP, or even models and makes. Thanks in advance.

[dabaer]

3 horse 10 inch jiffy, stealth stx!!! thats the way togo!

[harvey lee]

If you can find a used Nils for that amount, go for it. Much lighter than almost all out there at approx 20 pounds. The Jiffy and others are considerably more.

[OnAFly]

If you've got the cash, my dad went to the SP ice show last year and picked up a refurbished LazerMag (new) for $275. The thing runs and starts great. It's a 2.5 hp 8 inch and drills holes plenty quick.

One thing about the 10 inchers you might want to consider: Do the thermal tip-ups fit around them? Wouldn't want to have to buy all new tip-ups.

[Northlander]

In that price range you will be looking at pretty well used augers from SM, Jiffy and Eskimo. All have good augers. No need to go more than 2 horse these days unless your a guide opening holes in perms all the time. 8" hole is enough for almost all fishing except BIG Lakers or Pike.

Shaver blades will cut faster but chipper blades will last longer and cut even when dull. If you fish areas that get sand or coal/ore dust on the ice go chipper.

Keep a eye on the for sale forums here and in your local paper. I see them in the Duluth paper already.

[McGurk]

***This is not starting a SM/Jiffy/Nils/Eskimo debate, just personal experience***

Frankly, I see no need for a 3 hp powerhead in 99% of ice fishing situations. If you are looking on a budget, check out a StrikeMaster Mag2000 (2hp chipper blade). I had one, and hated the chipper blade but the price was right ($150). If you can find a S.M. LazerMag (2 hp shaver blade) for $200 I'm sure you would be happy, as I am now with mine!

The problem with a used S.M. 2 hp powerhead was a weak recoil assembly the Tecumseh motors. The same powerhead was used on both the Jiffy and S.M. augers, and the issue was on the first models with higher compression and a yellow de-compression button. The recoil problem was addressed on newer ones, but there was a couple of years where they all had the beefed up compression, but not the beefed up recoil. I had one of the problem ones and it is fixed now, but I had to fight repairing it for a while.

If it doesn't have the yellow button, you won't have any of the recoil issues. If it does, it is very tough to see if it has the beefed up recoil. It's hard to explain, but there are (2) spring-loaded silver "dogs" that lay against the central shaft of the black plastic recoil pulley. The "fixed" ones have taller (5/8"+?) "dogs" and can support the higher kickback of the higher compression motor without stripping the tabs of the recoil pulley shaft.

The other issue with the recoil was the way it mounted to the actual frame of the motor. Once again; not beefed up for the higher compression on the earlier motors. I would assume a motor with the taller "dogs" would have the larger pulley mount, too, and wouldn't have a problem.

Bottom line: if you can get last year's model on clearance (there are new non-tecumseh powerheads this year for both S.M. and Jiffy), You won't have to worry about these issues. Good luck finding a Nils for $225 anywhere in any condition.

A place to find good and cheap used augers in DRock Landscaping (sounds goofy, doesn't it?).

[magic_minnow]

Whatever you get...DONT GET AN ESKIMO! I've had the most horrible experiences with those augers. I had a Mako 8" 1.8HP. The ARdisam motors are nice, but the components are just CHEAP! Just my 7 cents.

[GRAND DAD]

I just have to say Strike Master. There Customer service is second to none. And the are Right in Big lake. The one I have was handed down to me by my dad its got to be coming up on 20 years old and going strong ( knock on wood ) I just droped it off on Monday to have some stuff fixed and Strike Master just called me this morning say it was all done, New blades, tune up and carb work, new trottle cable new clutchs and they added a in line fuel filter, All this for a hundred bucks. I really could not be more happy with Strike Master right now.

[GrizzlyAdams]

I will second the strikemaster. I bought a reconditioned lazer mag last year and love it. I paid $275 I believe and well worth the money. Cuts like a champ for what I need it for and will drill several holes with no problem. Reopens holes better than the jiffy I was borrowing for a few years. Any gas auger that cuts holes is better than a hand auger any day. Good luck

[leroy77]

i have to agree with the strike master fans the customer service is out of this world i have had my mag express for 4 years now and am very happy i just bought a reconditioned 10 inch drill from them and it looks like new. come on ice!

[GrizzlyAdams]

How much was the reconditioned 10 inch. I am looking for one also.

[leroy77]

i think it was $100.00. give or take a few. just give them a call to see if they have any left.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Thank you. Will do

[Maverick3]

StikeMaster Lazer Mag 8"...there is no reason to lug around the extra weight to have a 10 inch hole. Matter in fact if there are any kids fishing with you a 10" hole becomes dangerous.

A person would be surprised at the size fish that can be brought up through a 8 inch hole.

[Chad711]

I bought a brand new Jiffy Stx 10" last year, and I have had nothing but problems with it. This is my personal experience. I have 3 friends that have the same model, and theirs are better, but still nowhere near the 2 horse version, which I also have, that always starts, idles, etc.

This thing floods out, if its is not straight up it dies, sometimes wont restart. Not a hole hopper obviously unless you somehow can carry a 10" auger with an ext all over the ice. Its been in the shop 3 times. Not at all happy with a $500 auger that I cannot depend on.

[Woody61]

McGurk, do you know what year the upgraded recoil went into effect? Thanks.

[McGurk]

No, but I would guess 2 years ago. The first year or so of the higher compression motors were the ones with the issues. I'm sure they would be covered by Strikemaster's warranty if you bought it new or were able to get the paperwork with a used one.

[Jim Uran]

StikeMaster Lazer Mag 8"...there is no reason to lug around the extra weight to have a 10 inch hole. Matter in fact if there are any kids fishing with you a 10" hole becomes dangerous.

A person would be surprised at the size fish that can be brought up through a 8 inch hole.

They aren't that much heavier than an 8", you'd be surprised how much easier it is to deal with the transducer hanging down into the hole when you are using a 10" auger.

[dabaer]

chad711, have you tryed playing with the two carb adjustments yourself? i bought the regular stealth about 5 years ago, and it ran the same way, we just played around with them two adjusters until we got it running good, since then i have never had to do anything with it, and thats drilling more than most.

Then last year my friend bought the stx and we had to play around with the adjustments on that one too, and now it runs like should!

[Fishin Dood]

From my experience I don't think you can go wrong with an Eskimo.

I have the Stingray 33cc. It is by far the most reliable auger I have seen yet. It sits the entire off season...I pull it out and it fires up within 3 pulls (Taken care of and stored properly). It is definitely not the fastest auger out there, but you won't pull on it all day to get it started. A new one will run around $300. I bet a used one would be right around your price range...if you can find one.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Quote:

StikeMaster Lazer Mag 8"...there is no reason to lug around the extra weight to have a 10 inch hole. Matter in fact if there are any kids fishing with you a 10" hole becomes dangerous.

A person would be surprised at the size fish that can be brought up through a 8 inch hole.

I use the 8" most of the time but when we go to URL it always seems to be 60 - 70 below with high winds and our holes freeze in so much so fast that the 10" would give us longer before we have to reopen them. Yes we do bank the house but when the wind is howling at 30+ mph its hard to stop all of it.

[Northlander]

If your holes are freezin the 1st thing I would say is get more heat and better circulation and if that dont work put a minnow bucket bubble in your holes. If your in a ice house and it so cold this dont work you better get off the ice because its not sfae to be out there then. I have had a few days like that on LOW and Red.

[GrizzlyAdams]

We have an 8' x 18' ice castle with a forced air furnace and the interior is usually very warm. I don't have a plow of any sort so banking it is usually done by me only with a shovel and it takes a while to do this size of house. I usually give up after a while because I would rather be in fishing. The worst is by the wheel wells where it is hard to get enough snow in there to seal it and not have it freeze in too bad as to not get it back out when we leave. This year I am thinking of bringing some plywood or something else with to cover the wheel wells first and then pack that with snow. As stated this usually only happens when we are up on Red lake. It always seems to be 60 - 80 below with wind chill when we go. Yes 80 below according to the radio station. We know the rental people fairly well where we go out of and they are always out to help if needed right away. When the wind is howling at 30+ MPH is when the holes freeze in the fastest. I am hoping that the plywood by the wheel wells would help considerably as most all the air comes from there. Would it help to have some sort of skirting around the entire house and bank that in? What would be the best material to use that wouldn't "freeze" too bad and be easily removed at the end of our trip? Was also thinking maybe to use something like a vinyl shower surround type material but not sure if that would be thick enough and be to limp? What do you guys use that works good and is easy to remove if the bottom is frozen in? Any and all suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[DTro]

Here ya go

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2035323/Strikemaster_8_Gas_Auger_275

[jwhjr]

Here ya go

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2035323/Strikemaster_8_Gas_Auger_275

Thanks for the link dtro It's still available and the ice will be here before you know it...