Auger problems

[macminn]

Went to go out Saturday, and was foiled AGAIN by my auger. I've had this black and red one for 5 years, doesn't have a ton of use on it. I drain it each summer, etc.

This is my auger story. After one season the rope broke while on LOW. I had bought it at the end of the season, so probably had drilled 30 holes.

Next season, one day just decides it won't start. Brought it into D-Rock. Can't remember what it was, but there was a part that was sticking or something.

Earlier this week I started the auger in my garage and ran it for 5 minutes. Fast forward to Saturday. Get all my gear ready, get the wife all ready to go, decide to start the auger just to make sure, no go. Because of my experience on LOW, I make sure to not pull the rope all the way. Guess what? Yep, rope broke again. Fixed that, while the sun is starting to set, and the crappies are starting to bite. Still won't start.

I hear people praising this auger on forums on a bunch of forums. I know they have a new motor, but I'm really thinking of going to a different brand.

After all this whining, what I really need to know is what auger I should buy. My fishing time is too precious to have this happen.

[Esox_Magnum]

Main reason I switched brands to and been problem free since. Spendy but well worth the investment.

[RiverFish]

I bought a year end clearance StrikeMaster Lazermag Express 4 years ago.

Absolutely love it. I have had no problems, always fires right up.

When I need a new one, StrikeMaster has my business.

[slurpie]

Sorry to hear of the bad misfortunes. If the recoil keeps breaking there could be something cutting it.

[JimmyJames]

Sounds like you need a hand auger.

[macminn]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the on/off switch broke! That metal switch is hollow inside.

I think I got a lemon!

[MJ1657]

I bought a Jiffy from the big c store a couple of years ago that was a lemon. Recoil broke on the third pull and I could not get it to run decent. They sent me a new auger that was the exact same model and it works great. It's a machine and occassionally you get a bad one.

[mrpike1973]

i feel your pain after 2 of them i got a mako auger best move i ever made

[macminn]

Well, thanks for letting me vent. As someone suggested I did pick up a hand auger as a backup. Used it this weekend. I dropped off my strikemaster on Friday. After all of the talk on threads I've seen on this forum about the wonderful customer service by said company, my experience was not even close to that. I asked politely if they had any rental units I could use for the weekend, she looked at me like I had 3 eyes. OK, again asked politely since my kids will be home from break, if it could be done in a week, next Friday, Christmas Eve. This time I got a bit of a chuckle out of the lady.

Being one to press his luck, I asked if they sold augers there. The reply I got again was snappy, "we're the manufacturer". I knew that, but thought I'd ask

Once I get this lemon back, watch for it on [Note-from-admin-Please-don't-send-folks-there]. Haven't decided what brand I'm going with next time, but I know what one it won't be.

[daylate]

I was in at SM in big lake earlier this week and I know what your talking about. The lady at the service counter could use a refresher in customer service.

[Esox_Magnum]

If you want reliability maybe look at the Nils, not often if ever you hear of problems with the Tanaka motors or the augers themselves.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Went to go out Saturday, and was foiled AGAIN by my auger. I've had this black and red one for 5 years, doesn't have a ton of use on it. I drain it each summer, etc.

This is my auger story. After one season the rope broke while on LOW. I had bought it at the end of the season, so probably had drilled 30 holes.

Next season, one day just decides it won't start. Brought it into D-Rock. Can't remember what it was, but there was a part that was sticking or something.

Earlier this week I started the auger in my garage and ran it for 5 minutes. Fast forward to Saturday. Get all my gear ready, get the wife all ready to go, decide to start the auger just to make sure, no go. Because of my experience on LOW, I make sure to not pull the rope all the way. Guess what? Yep, rope broke again. Fixed that, while the sun is starting to set, and the crappies are starting to bite. Still won't start.

I hear people praising this auger on forums on a bunch of forums. I know they have a new motor, but I'm really thinking of going to a different brand.

After all this whining, what I really need to know is what auger I should buy. My fishing time is too precious to have this happen.

If I had problems like this I think I'd get an Ice Gator power head for the auger. Then No need for gas/starting or anything. Just Charge and push a button to drill.