Reopening holes..need a chipper blade?

[toughguy]

I have always been a portable fisherman so I have many years of ice fishing experience but I have very little experience reopening holes. I am thinking of building a perm house this fall so now I have to think about reopening holes after leaving the house out in the cold for a few nights. I have a 9" strikemaster lazer mag. Will I have issues reopening holes with it? I remember reading somewhere that chipper blades do a much better job at reopening holes. Is that true? I could purchase a new bit if need be.

[JSK76]

A chipper is the best but theres a lot of guys out there that reopen holes with a lazer. It takes more finesse and I would think your at a higher risk of knocking the blade pitch off. I know SM suggest a chipper for reopening holes.

[Surface Tension]

Reopening holes with an auger requires a little bit of user awareness and skill.

So there isn't any auger your going to be able to start up and lean t drill and old hole.

Personally I don 't think brand or style blade maters because you'll be adjusting the drill pressure by lifting up to lessen drill bite.

Pick an auger that will cut new holes fast, with less effort., and a better engine

NilsMaster all the way.

[McGurk]

If you are talking about opening a hole that has frozen solid from a week+ away from the house, any auger will do the job, including the one you have. If you are "widening" a hole that has shrunk from the outside in, a chipper will do the job without worrying about tweaking the pitch of your 9" shaver. I've used both for the job, and will not use my shaver to "widen" a shrunk hole ever again because it bucks the whole way down and just doesn't feel safe.

Getting a $100 auger assembly for your existing auger head seems like the smart purchase to me, if you are going to buy anything.

[Rodrunner]

Hmmm.Glad this got started I was wondering the same thing..thx

[toughguy]

Getting a $100 auger assembly for your existing auger head seems like the smart purchase to me, if you are going to buy anything.

That's the plan. Thanks.

[Acemac]

go fishing more often problem solved...

[toughguy]

go fishing more often problem solved...

I know!!!! If I could only get work and my wife on board with that plan. I could get a divorce and quit my job in December and just move in! I wouldn't have to worry about anything til spring. Oh I would have the best beard ever!!!

[wishinferfishin]

I have been using my electric Lazer Mag for about 3 years in my drop down and if you just let the auger ease it's way down with no pressure it works great with no smoke in house