Augers - Just the facts.

[DeeJ]

I wondered if you had a lazer (Or that bit anyway)... Might hafta go that route eventually.

[Fred_Bear]

Happy Nils owner here. Took about 2 weeks to get used to and get all the bugs figured out, but now I got it down and really like it.

One thing I will say is that if I'm fishing in < -20 weather, I will take my old Jiffy Model 30, or any good running auger with a chipper blade for that matter.

[brian6715]

Zoob, Jiffy's all may weigh about 35lbs, but that is far heavier than the other brands being discussed. My SM only weighs 24 pounds, I think the strikelite is 23 lbs, and the nils is 22-23 or somewhere in there. A 10-12 lb weight difference is pretty substantial for me considering I can easily drill 50 holes a day while running and gunning over a long stretch of ice!

[Esox_Magnum]

I to love my Nils, 48" bit, steele handles, light weight, quick starting. My wifes just a hair over 5' and has no problems drilling holes. At 22 pounds,little plastic, time proven Tanaka motors, and just a joy to drill with. I don't think you can go wrong.

[trapperdirk]

Happy Nils owner here. Took about 2 weeks to get used to and get all the bugs figured out, but now I got it down and really like it.

One thing I will say is that if I'm fishing in < -20 weather, I will take my old Jiffy Model 30, or any good running auger with a chipper blade for that matter.

Are you saying Fred that you only use an old jiffy or chipper style auger if it's -20 out . Whats wrong with a shaver or your Nils in that climate . ? I personally don't have an auger or ever owned one that is temp specific or blades that are temp specific .

They better cut at all temps and so best the blades .

TD

[Steve Foss]

I have a Nils 8-inch bit on an IceGator Attacker battery-powered head. Whole rig weighs in at just under 30 lbs, but carries and drills like a much lighter auger because you don't have to baby it to keep the motor running between holes (so you can sling it over your shoulder or carry in horizontally by the shaft) and because there's not all that motor vibration.

Rated to -30 for 40 holes through 28 inches of ice or 100 holes through 10 inches of ice on one charge. I've been running it for a couple weeks and love the heck out of it. BTW, the dozen guys who have used it while out with me (including a couple total skeptics) are raving about it and are sold on it.

Cuts faster even than the Nils Tanaka powerhead. Always "starts," never leaks gas/oil, quiet to use. Charger runs from a standard 110 outlet into a plug in the head. Recharges from flat dead to full in about 2 hours. I also have an inverter along when I'm out in a pickup or SUV so I can charge it on the ice if need be, but it's a rare day when I even see 28 inches of ice on the laker lakes I fish, let alone cut 40 holes through ice that deep.

Works with any kind of existing drill (your choice of adapter included with purchase), so you don't have to buy a new drill to go with the powerhead unless you want to. Not recommended for drills bigger than 8 inches.

[cabin]

Avoid the SOLO engines!! I sold my old lazermag with the Tecumseh engine to upgrade to the SOLO. I am very sorry. Big mistake. Recoil and starting problems. This was not an upgrade. Buyer beware. Get a Nils or a Tecumseh Strikemaster, if you can find one. Unless of course you live near Big Lake Mn. I hear they have great service. You will need it!

[jwmiller33]

Avoid the SOLO engines!! I sold my old lazermag with the Tecumseh engine to upgrade to the SOLO. I am very sorry. Big mistake. Recoil and starting problems. This was not an upgrade. Buyer beware. Get a Nils or a Tecumseh Strikemaster, if you can find one. Unless of course you live near Big Lake Mn. I hear they have great service. You will need it!

i completely agree

however, there are some people who have the new solos that have no problems whatsoever.. i guess it is kind of a luck/lemon deal

[fishuhalik]

Originally Posted By: Fred_Bear

Happy Nils owner here. Took about 2 weeks to get used to and get all the bugs figured out, but now I got it down and really like it.

One thing I will say is that if I'm fishing in < -20 weather, I will take my old Jiffy Model 30, or any good running auger with a chipper blade for that matter.

Are you saying Fred that you only use an old jiffy or chipper style auger if it's -20 out . Whats wrong with a shaver or your Nils in that climate . ? I personally don't have an auger or ever owned one that is temp specific or blades that are temp specific .

They better cut at all temps and so best the blades .

TD

What happens with the shaver blades is they freeze up when it's bitter cold. The chipper blades don't freeze up near as easy and you can break the ice off if need be without breaking the blade.

[Fred_Bear]

Originally Posted By: Fred_Bear

Happy Nils owner here. Took about 2 weeks to get used to and get all the bugs figured out, but now I got it down and really like it.

One thing I will say is that if I'm fishing in < -20 weather, I will take my old Jiffy Model 30, or any good running auger with a chipper blade for that matter.

Are you saying Fred that you only use an old jiffy or chipper style auger if it's -20 out . Whats wrong with a shaver or your Nils in that climate . ? I personally don't have an auger or ever owned one that is temp specific or blades that are temp specific .

They better cut at all temps and so best the blades .

TD

The Nils bit freezes up really bad in extremely cold temps. It was sprayed down with Pam, and I ran it at full speed for a couple seconds to spin water off after each hole, yet it still iced up after about 10 holes. Makes run and gun laker fishing harder when you have to set the portable up everywhere you fish and not even fish in it.

The flighting on a Nils is a less aggressive pitch so the ice built up on it easier causing it to have at least 15 lbs of ice build up by the end of each day. Doesn't seem like a huge deal but with a Nils, 15 lbs of downward pressure + slightly iced up blades = auger getting stuck in the ice and busting out a wrench to screw it back out.

The Tanaka head still started and ran just fine in the cold temps. I pretty much always use my Nils and love it but in extreme cold temps I'll take my old Jiffy with a chipper blade every time.

[Esox_Magnum]

Why the wrench, theres a lock on the transmission to turn it back out. I don't run around much when it's below -20 but I haven't noticed alot of build up when in these temps. The 1 time I did I just put it in the shack to thaw.

[Fred_Bear]

I tried using the locking transmission but it just spun the auger loose from where it connects to the motor. And no not because it was too loose, 3 guys tightened it.

I also put it in the shack to thaw in front of the heater, but when you fish each spot for about 30 minutes it gets to be a real PITA.

The Nils is a good auger, but for that kind of fishing the old Jiffy definitely out performs it. I don't think you can argue that Esox.

[Esox_Magnum]

Never fished lakers, or run and gun like that or owned a Jiffy so your right can't argue When it's that cold I just set up once and catch fish.

[tonkapat]

Fred Bear I don't disagree that they ice up badly. I fish out of a Quickfish 3 so I just bring it inside and still have plenty of room to fish. The strikemasters ice up a bunch as well but seem to deice easier. I was wondering if it was because of the powdercoat and if I could have it sandblasted off and painted black to heat up in the sun and melt off. Not that big of deal but I hear ya. Good luck

[Fred_Bear]

When it's that cold I just set up once and catch fish.

As do most other ice fisherman... And I wonder why they call me crazy.

[trapperdirk]

I fished plenty on cold days beyond even -20 and never bring my Nils into the portable get the ice off because it doesnt get much on . When I'm pounding holes I'm pounding holes with the nils and when I'm done I just tip her up and let her rip which releases any water off it . It sure doesnt gain 15 pounds . I don't find anymore freeze up on the nils than my jiffy .

Interesting observation you have found but nothing that I can relate to. I'll keep it in mind though .

My Nils does not have that lock on it and only once in the last four years would I have needed it . Would have been nice that time though instead of me going into panic mode and digging for a set of visegrips . LOL

Oh and I always hope I'm on fish right away with the first set of holes on -20 or colder days especially if the wind is howling . Now that I think about it I wish every hole I ever drill will be THE HOLE for the day . LOL I like to drill holes with the Nils but even it doesnt compare to catching fish . LOL

TD

[trapperdirk]

We need ED in here now with his love the Husquavarna and maybe a stihl owner too and we should really have this future buyer completely confused on what to buy .. LOL

TD

[fishwater]

Ha ha. That's for sure. We all know the best auger is the Kluge. @ $1045 it's a steal!

[picksbigwagon]

I used to run a 9" jiffy white lightnin' and it weighed a ton and was a work horse. I got a new solo strikemaster this year and absolutely love it. I am still trying to adjust to the 8 inch hole, but I have not had ONE SINGLE PROBLEM with the engine or recoild. I did take the recoil off and spray it down with WD40, but since I have had it, it takes 3 pulls to cold start it to full run.......the weight difference is unbelievable. I am hoping to pick up an extension just because I am normal sized(6'7") and find that it is a little short coming from the factory....

[harvey lee]

Originally Posted By: cabin

Avoid the SOLO engines!! I sold my old lazermag with the Tecumseh engine to upgrade to the SOLO. I am very sorry. Big mistake. Recoil and starting problems. This was not an upgrade. Buyer beware. Get a Nils or a Tecumseh Strikemaster, if you can find one. Unless of course you live near Big Lake Mn. I hear they have great service. You will need it!

i completely agree

however, there are some people who have the new solos that have no problems whatsoever.. i guess it is kind of a luck/lemon deal

No issues here at all. Yes, there was a small recoil issue but that has been resolved totally.

Nothing to do with a lemon or luck deal at all. Thats statement is totally wrong.

This Solo is as good or maybe better than my Nils.

[Northlander]

I have fished with my Nils in -40 true temps and never had 15# of ice build up on it. After the holes are cut I let er rip for a while and then make sure to not lay the cutting head in the snow. Dont have issues with freeze up unless someone else uses my auger. I have learned if I just cut, spin and put it back in the auger holder on the sled Im just fine.

I have owned Jiffy's, Strikemasters, Eskimos and now a Nils and only time my blades iced up was if I didnt spin dry them or laid them in the snow. If your getting 15# of ice on a auger after cutting holes your doing something wrong in my opinion.

With that said I love my Nils and wont run anything else until something better comes out. So far I havent found anything and I have ran them all.

[tonkapat]

My icing issues have been with the hand auger. I bring it in the shack with me for a minute and problem solved. Not had that issue with the power auger. I agree do not lay it down in the snow and spin dry. Tougher to do with the hand auger.

[trapperdirk]

Yes methinks that spin dry might be a wee bit of a challenge with a hand auger . LOL

I always do the spin dry with my augers too and then they get racked on the bike with the guard on especially that Nils . That sucker scares me without the guard on when it's not drilling especially with others around . One slip around the biting end could be someones last .

TD

[croixflats]

spin dry for a hand held = dissy head or you become the auger.

[Ed Carlson]

Tons of power in the new Solo, and the recoil lube issue, is a minor one if you happened to get one with excess lube in the recoil...2 squirts of WD-40...it's all better. Fallow the starting instructions, and your good.

If you wish to stay in the 9" to 10" range, then I suggest the New 3 hp Solo...ya just can't run it out of power. And the 2.5 and 3 hp are so close to the same weight, it is a non issue.