StrikeMaster Question

[Chris Barlage]

Did/Does strikemaster have a blade issue with the lazer augers. I got my solo lazer mag 2.5 hp auger in jan/feb of this year. Right out of the box it bucks at the bottom of the hole and sometimes screws it's self down the hole. I called SM and they asked to check to make sure the blades are tight. I have not check that yet. But i asked that if they are then what because this auger did this right out of the box. Then he said we need the numbers off the blades and will make a call as what to do after that.

Which make me think that they may have had a bad batch of blades. I sure would think that after 4 months of use that if they were loose blades that they would really be loose right now. now that could be the issue but i dont think the blades are loose.

I was also told that the 2.5 hp will do that and to get the 3hp. i fished with someone last night that has the same auger and it did not do any of that.

Anyone have any input on this.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I have the same auger, and have found that ice condition makes a big difference. Last spring when the ice was soft it tended to "catch" and tried to break my wrists several times. With the new clear ice this year I haven't had any problems. I did find that it helped to slightly lift up on the auger as it nears the bottom of the hole.

[Hawg]

All augers do that on occasion. My guess is after a couple times you'll get used to the right pressure and little stuff. Are you slowing down the rpm's or going full blast?

[Pete16]

I just bought a 2.5 lazer mag and im having the same issue. Once breaking through the ice, the auger will almost pull me down. Not sure if i got a defective one or what. It also bogs down very frequently. Not too happy with the auger.

[student]

I've heard people say they need to back off the rpms as you near the bottom of the hole for this reason. I personally have not had this problem but I chipped blade.

[Esox_Magnum]

Pull the baldes and see if they are Chinese or Sweden. If Chinese thats your problem.

[sjlund]

I had this same issue. I emailed Strikemaster early in the week. They sent me a new set of blades at no cost that arrived today. I'll find out this weekend if they fix the issue!

[TyGuy02]

could be worse, my strikemaster currently has a recoil issue and I only have about 6 inches of "workable" cord. I had an issue with it last year recoiling and had it fixed, but not anymore! Luckily it seems to be starting easily this year and haven't had an issue not starting yet.

[Chris Barlage]

Well to much surprise i went home on friday and looked at the blades. i wiggled them and they felt tight. Even though I took a wrench to the screws and they each turned about 1/8th of a turn to become so tight i could no longer turn them. Went out fishing on sunday and NO issues.

Could not belive that 1/8th of a turn on what felt like tight blades made that much differance.

[CaptainMusky]

I've heard people say they need to back off the rpms as you near the bottom of the hole for this reason. I personally have not had this problem but I chipped blade.

I used my new solo for the first time a couple weeks ago and I had a hard time pulling the auger back up the hole after I busted through. I called Strikemaster because I have heard of a couple different issues, one being the poor chinese blades and another being the wrong pitch on the auger.

I talked to this Mike guy, very very helpful. I explained what was going on and he said to check to make sure blades are tight, which they are.

I told him it cuts so fast I only go half throttle and he said that was probably the problem.

He said to run it wide open because if you dont the bottom of the hole might not cut cleanly and then cause the issues I was describing.

So, I am not sure about running it slower since he said that was probably my problem. I havent tried it yet, but I will report back when I do.