Augers - Just the facts.

[eve21]

Ok, I am currently running an older 9" model 30 jiffy and am thinking about a new auger. Only reason I am thinking about it is because this one is so heavy and our fishing is pretty tough so a lot of holes are getting punched. Haven't even shopped around so I don't know what is out there but what does everyone know about good long lasting quality in a lighter faster version?

[shnelson]

There are litterally thousands of posts on this site that will give you quality information about all brands available.

My best advice at this point is to go to your local retailer and get a feel for the one you want. You've had one that you have been using so you have a good baseline of what you like and dislike, now you just need a hands on experience at a store to find one with the right weight and feel.

I can promise you that they will all cut a circular hole in a quick fashion, have sharp blades that will eventually need to be sharpened or replaced, and have parts that may eventually break or fail on you. In the end, they are all built by reputable manufacturers that will stand by their warranties and will take care of you.

With that said, I'd recommend you check out the strikemaster lineup first for a lighter auger, just keep in mind that because it is lighter some parts might be more 'delicate' than what you are used to with a jiffy. For me, it ultimately comes down to who has the best price and what I think of the auger as I see it sitting in the store.

Hope that helps!

[thedeadsea]

I would take a look at a Nils. They cut fast and have a smaller, lighter powerhead.

[Jmnhunter]

dont know your budget but the new SM's is probably your best bet

[tsande00]

I'll vouch for a SM being light and effective, but have also heard good things about NILS being light and effective. I believe Nils is a bit more pricey than the SM though. I think the first answer was the best - go to the store and check them out yourself. That's exactly what I did a few weeks back...ended up with a SM, but they didn't sell the Nils, so couldn't compare it.

[JimBuck]

There are litterally thousands of posts on this site that will give you quality information about all brands available.

My best advice at this point is to go to your local retailer and get a feel for the one you want. You've had one that you have been using so you have a good baseline of what you like and dislike, now you just need a hands on experience at a store to find one with the right weight and feel.

I can promise you that they will all cut a circular hole in a quick fashion, have sharp blades that will eventually need to be sharpened or replaced, and have parts that may eventually break or fail on you. In the end, they are all built by reputable manufacturers that will stand by their warranties and will take care of you.

Well said. Dig around, do some research and find one that suits your fishing. The search function on this site is quite handy for scavaging in the archives.

[jwmiller33]

i'd stay away from the strikemasters this year... its their first year with their new motor, the solo, which is made in germany, and i have heard of tons of problems with them. i have one myself and regret getting it.. the whole recoil problem is a major pain in the arse. they do have great customer service tho... i'd look at nils if i was you, or even the new ice gators which run off batteries and not gas. check them out on your tube

[gunmunky]

I bought my eskimo 4 years ago because it was all I could afford. I planned on upgrading within 2 years from there. I've been so happy with the performance and reliability not to mention the customer service has been great that I'm not even considering getting rid of it any more. I haven't done a thing to it except put seafoam and stabil in every tank. I now use amsoil for the mix and am still on the original plug. I know they are not the highest thought of augers but for the money I couldn't be happier.

[troutkingmaster]

I have to put in another good word for Eskimos, bought a Mako at the beginning of last year, starts on the first or second pull everytime, can start drilling within 15 seconds and cuts just about as fast as a Lazermag

[DTro]

There are litterally thousands of posts on this site that will give you quality information about all brands available.

My best advice at this point is to go to your local retailer and get a feel for the one you want. You've had one that you have been using so you have a good baseline of what you like and dislike, now you just need a hands on experience at a store to find one with the right weight and feel.

I can promise you that they will all cut a circular hole in a quick fashion, have sharp blades that will eventually need to be sharpened or replaced, and have parts that may eventually break or fail on you. In the end, they are all built by reputable manufacturers that will stand by their warranties and will take care of you.

With that said, I'd recommend you check out the strikemaster lineup first for a lighter auger, just keep in mind that because it is lighter some parts might be more 'delicate' than what you are used to with a jiffy. For me, it ultimately comes down to who has the best price and what I think of the auger as I see it sitting in the store.

Hope that helps!

Glad you said it so well, now I don't have to.

Except that I love my Nils, but I won't take anything away from SM.

[Jim Almquist]

I once owned the same Jiffy and it is a work horse and a workout to carry around. I went to the Nils and have never regretted it for a moment and really wished that I would have done it sooner. I am going on my 3rd year and it still starts and runs great and has NEVER needed anything but gas with some Amsoil mixed at 80:1. I am going to guess that in Gillette Wy. there are not to many places that even carry a auger let alone a Nils or a Strikemaster so my recommendation would be a Nils just because of the reliability. Well worth the money. If you every do need a part for the Tanaka motor you can go to Border States Electric as they are a dealer.

[DeeJ]

Does Nils make shorter bits? The only time I used one it was way longer than necessary...and it didn't have an extension on it.

I also agree about SM this year - I plan to buy a new auger as soon as next year, but I won't touch the first year of anything. 2-year warranty is a start though.

Good luck!

[trapperdirk]

Does Nils make shorter bits? The only time I used one it was way longer than necessary...and it didn't have an extension on it.

I also agree about SM this year - I plan to buy a new auger as soon as next year, but I won't touch the first year of anything. 2-year warranty is a start though.

Good luck!

Yes Nils sells a short fellas version too . The tall version or 48 inch is easy to get used to though although it seems awkward when you first grab it .

TD

[Bob Clausen2]

Based upon all the posts over the years, I feel safe in recommending an Eskinilsstrikeiffy. Orrr, if you want to save a few bucks, there's a 20" box fan to be given away. You could weld a long shaft on it, put a turbo on the motor, and use if for drilling both fishing and spearing holes.

[dan z]

Based upon all the posts over the years, I feel safe in recommending an Eskinilsstrikeiffy. Orrr, if you want to save a few bucks, there's a 20" box fan to be given away. You could weld a long shaft on it, put a turbo on the motor, and use if for drilling both fishing and spearing holes.

wish they were readly available

[dan z]

Originally Posted By: 7over30

Based upon all the posts over the years, I feel safe in recommending an Eskinilsstrikeiffy. Orrr, if you want to save a few bucks, there's a 20" box fan to be given away. You could weld a long shaft on it, put a turbo on the motor, and use if for drilling both fishing and spearing holes.

wish they were readly available

I do love my SM 224

[DeeJ]

Originally Posted By: DeeJ

Does Nils make shorter bits? The only time I used one it was way longer than necessary...and it didn't have an extension on it.

I also agree about SM this year - I plan to buy a new auger as soon as next year, but I won't touch the first year of anything. 2-year warranty is a start though.

Good luck!

Yes Nils sells a short fellas version too . The tall version or 48 inch is easy to get used to though although it seems awkward when you first grab it .

TD

Gotcha, I've been accused of alligator arms but I'm 6'0" so if it was awkward for me, I'd enjoy seeing someone 5'6" pole vaulting on that sucker.

I'm sure you get used to it... I only used it for 8-10 holes. It cut like butter though.

[trapperdirk]

Yes that is my height too and now I don't even think of it anymore and infact it is really nice especially when ice is thick because your not bending over as far all the time .

TD

[tsande00]

Definitely worth checking out the Eskimos too...My buddies Eskimo weighs about the same (or less?) as my 2.5HP SM Solo LzrMag and runs great, cuts well. Not sure why they have a bad rep. Plus I think they are a little cheaper than some of the other brands mentioned.

[McGurk]

Funny; I actually prefer having a 12" extension on my SM when doing alot of hole popping, and I'm 5'9". Not any harder to manage (easier IMHO), and you finish the hole without having to bend over as much. The only drawback is transporting it due to the extra length, but a couple of turns of an allen wrench takes care of that!.

[DeeJ]

Maybe I'm missing out! Interesting to hear that. What auger do you have?

[Zoob]

I picked up the Jiffy ArcticBlast just a few weeks ago:

Note from admin, please read forum policy before you post again, thank you.

...and it starts on first pull, punches through ice very well. It seems they all weigh close to the same, around 35 lbs or so.

About the only thing I would suggest is metal (not plastic) handlebars.

[Bob Clausen2]

Eve21, Hope you weren't offended by my earlier comment, but I knew your question was going to bring all the usual responses. I have a 25 year old Eskimo. It's drilled hundreds...maybe in the thousands of ice holes plus about about 40 dirt holes with a hand auger bit I made into a dirt auger. I know when and if it dies, I'll replace it with another Eskimo even though they don't now have the Tecumseh engine. My reason...I've fished with guys who have all the brands listed. The year the ice on LOW froze with so much grit, I probably drilled a hundred holes for guys with the other brands...two holes would dull a blade. The Eskimo blades can be so easily sharpened with a hand sharpener that I'm cutting a new hole after a dozen swipes with the sharpener. I just bought my third set of blades in 25 years, have never had a blade professionally sharpened, and spent half the price for my blades of the other brands. The fact that I can buy an Eskimo for $100+ less than a comparable other brand also helps with my decision.

[McGurk]

Maybe I'm missing out! Interesting to hear that. What auger do you have?

Oh, just a standard '05 Strikemaster Mag2000 with a 8" Lazermag auger.

[Zoob]

Whatever gets a guy outdoors is OK with me. I punched holes for years with hand-augers , this is my first year with the power auger.

I am more impressed with the man who takes a 5-gal and sits in the middle of a lake for a day, facing the elements - than the fancied up shelters (which make me drool, like Sapper ACEs).

Now if there was just a way I could drag my home 250 yards onto the lake, I'd be happy. =)