Strikemaster Solo Lazer

[FISHINGURU]

lol "way exactly the same", had a few Christmas drinks before I posted last night.

I've been going back and forth on which new auger to get out of the two. Started out thinking I wanted the 2.5 but now I'm leaning toward the 3.

Dtro started this thread at the right time for me.

[DTro]

Well, I'm really liking this auger! I can't believe how much cleaner the holes are compared to the Nils, and comparing the two, this is the one glaring difference.

I'm still trying to get a grasp on getting it started consistently. Seems like I can't quite figure out the optimal choke position and number of primes. I had my Nils procedure down to a T. I just need more time with it.

I think we effortlessly punched about 50-60 holes tonight. I did have the auger "catch" once at the bottom of the hole and pulled me right down with it. Kind of caught me by surprise.

[CrewJones]

i started using the decompression button, when its around 30 degres it seems to like 4-5 pumps full choke one or two pulls, when it fires I instantly put the choke off and hit the gas and she is ready to go.

Im ready for some cold weather so i can cut through some 30" ice

[Nilsfisher]

I have a nils 8" hand auger. the only thing that I don't like about it is how rough the hole can be. I really like the auger and the ease of augering the holes by hand can be, but a smoother hole would be nice. I just want some more ice!!

[KidMoe]

I got my lazer last year and this year it has been acting funny. It really likes to warm up the recommended 1-2 minutes before going full bore. I have been having to wait a minute then drill the first couple holes at half speed before going full throttle drilling. However, i did put a splash of seafoam in the first gallon of gas for the year like i do with all my season equipment.

My starts every time second pull if i do this:

1.Prime it 2 times

2.Choke on, Turn switch to On

3.Decompression button

4.pull once

5.Choke off

6.Decompression button

7.Pull and it starts up

[J2M]

My buddy just bought a 2.5 that seems to have a slight ticking sound when punching out holes. Is this normal for a Strikemaster? He's thinking about returning it.

[DTro]

I've been very pleased with how well this auger cuts holes. But it's only fair to say that I'm still dealing with difficulty getting into a consistent starting habit.

In other words it seems to be hard starting. Once it runs, man she runs like a champ.

Here's what happens, I prime it about 6 or 7 times, full choke then pull about 3 or 4 times, then it pops very briefly. At that point I can move the choke to the off position and it will start, but then dies after about 2 or 3 seconds.

The only way I'm able to get it to run finally is then putting it back to full choke and a couple more primers and trying to time the fire with a little throttle and maybe feathering the choke. Kind of a pain though...

So far that is really the only issue I've had, oh except it seems like I need to re-torque the auger connection bolt about every 3rd time out. Should I put some loc-tite on there?

Other than that, the auger has been great!

[harvey lee]

Well, I'm really liking this auger! I can't believe how much cleaner the holes are compared to the Nils, and comparing the two, this is the one glaring difference.

I'm still trying to get a grasp on getting it started consistently. Seems like I can't quite figure out the optimal choke position and number of primes. I had my Nils procedure down to a T. I just need more time with it.

I think we effortlessly punched about 50-60 holes tonight. I did have the auger "catch" once at the bottom of the hole and pulled me right down with it. Kind of caught me by surprise.

Once the aguer is well broken in, you may find it will start even better for you Darren.

I have not had to tighten mine up since I hot it a few years ago. Yes, a little lock tite could help.

[tsande00]

Here's what happens, I prime it about 6 or 7 times, full choke then pull about 3 or 4 times, then it pops very briefly. At that point I can move the choke to the off position and it will start, but then dies after about 2 or 3 seconds.

This doesn't sound right. I'm on my third year of mine and it ALWAYS pops on the second pull will full choke, then starts on the third pull with choke off. It has never taken me more than three pulls to start...well, except for when I forget to put the switch to "on".

I wonder if it's worth a stop into their shop?

[Gissert]

Darren -

Will it start on full choke when cold?

If so, I just feather my choke towards off ans when the auger starts to kill go back to full. Repeat until it idles with no choke. Just like my snomobiles, its a little cold blooded but choke manipulation after it starts is the key.

[coffee]

I just bought the SM SOLO 2.5 hp. Love the way it cuts. AnNybody have any problem with the recoil rewinding in colder weather?

[Summett]

I just bought the SM SOLO 2.5 hp. Love the way it cuts. AnNybody have any problem with the recoil rewinding in colder weather?

Strikemaster recommends that you spray the recoil "liberally" with WD40 at the beginning of a season to help with any issues of the rope or parts getting iced up or sticking. Not sure if that's your issue or not, but might help.

[fishersofmen]

I've been very pleased with how well this auger cuts holes. But it's only fair to say that I'm still dealing with difficulty getting into a consistent starting habit.

In other words it seems to be hard starting. Once it runs, man she runs like a champ.

Here's what happens, I prime it about 6 or 7 times, full choke then pull about 3 or 4 times, then it pops very briefly. At that point I can move the choke to the off position and it will start, but then dies after about 2 or 3 seconds.

The only way I'm able to get it to run finally is then putting it back to full choke and a couple more primers and trying to time the fire with a little throttle and maybe feathering the choke. Kind of a pain though...

So far that is really the only issue I've had, oh except it seems like I need to re-torque the auger connection bolt about every 3rd time out. Should I put some loc-tite on there?

Other than that, the auger has been great!

Dtro like others have said seems a bit strange. Mine was brand new this year as well and it always pops off second pull on choke and starts on third every time. One thing to try is don't prime it so much. I know thats what it says in the manual but it seems a bit excessive to me to prime it 6-7 times. I have never hit mine more than 3-4 times, maybe its getting a bit too much gas?

[tsande00]

Dtro like others have said seems a bit strange. Mine was brand new this year as well and it always pops off second pull on choke and starts on third every time. One thing to try is don't prime it so much. I know thats what it says in the manual but it seems a bit excessive to me to prime it 6-7 times. I have never hit mine more than 3-4 times, maybe its getting a bit too much gas?

I don't know...I always prime mine liberally (6+ times) and it still pops on second pull and starts on third.

[DTro]

Darren -

Will it start on full choke when cold?

If so, I just feather my choke towards off ans when the auger starts to kill go back to full. Repeat until it idles with no choke. Just like my snomobiles, its a little cold blooded but choke manipulation after it starts is the key.

yeah that pretty much describes it. Nowhere near firing on 2 pulls. At least 6-7 pulls when it's cold.

It seems like once it fires, then it won't start unless I take the choke off, but then only runs for a couple seconds, then I have to choke it again.

I'm going to run out and try it right now on full choke and see if I can get it to start with the choke on and then feather it..

Another question. How much auger spin should I expect to see at idle? I'm seeing quite a bit (maybe like 100 rpm).

[DTro]

Dtro like others have said seems a bit strange. Mine was brand new this year as well and it always pops off second pull on choke and starts on third every time. One thing to try is don't prime it so much. I know thats what it says in the manual but it seems a bit excessive to me to prime it 6-7 times. I have never hit mine more than 3-4 times, maybe its getting a bit too much gas?

I think you might be on to something. I just ran out there and thought well, lets try something. I didn't prime it at all, and it fired on the 2nd pull.

For now I'm going to chalk it up to learning the temperaments of a 2 cycle engine.

[gonehunting]

coffee

Call strikemaster and have your serial number ready. THey sent me a new recoil free of charge. The first solo motors had the wrong grease in recoil which gets hard in the cold. They switched grease and have no problems now. Very good customer service.

[hanson]

Guess nobody listened to me years ago when I kept complaining about Nils augers leaving snocone fine ice shavings in the hole to scoop out. Pain in the butt! You can leave a clean hole with a Strikemaster Lazer no problem.

Still have my Lazer Mag Xpress which is pre-emissions restrictions and pre decompression button Tecumseh motor. Great auger and about the most dependable piece of equipment I own.

[Gissert]

I get some auger spin at idle but not 100 rpm. If I sink my point it will stop. That seems like way too much rpm for idle.

[Borch]

Should be able to adjust the low idle to deal with the auger spin. Either bring it in or give the service department there a call. Should be an easy fix.

[DTro]

I just went out and tried it again. 2 primes and it started on the 3rd pull. So it's improved by 50%.

I also backed the idle screw out about 1 full turn and now the auger is not spinning. I think it was just set way too high.

[Gissert]

Sounds like you got it!

[Gekhang]

was able to get consistent 1st pull startup after choke this morning in 0 degree weather after it's warmed up. May or may not be a carb issue, but when trying to press the throttle, it would lag a few times and hesitate like almost wanting to die, and for the first time today it did. But some other times, it works perfectly fine.

[fishersofmen]

I just went out and tried it again. 2 primes and it started on the 3rd pull. So it's improved by 50%.

I also backed the idle screw out about 1 full turn and now the auger is not spinning. I think it was just set way too high.

Awesome. I was out today and mine started right up after 2 primes as usual.

[DRH1175]

I am going to finally upgrade my auger at the end of the season for next year. My 20 yr old Jiffy has served me well. My shoulders are getting tired of hauling that 40lb beast around. I could hardly sleep last night after drilling some holes yesterday. Shoulders are killing me! That and I am sick of it quiting on me all the time while I drill. My goal in my next auger is a light weight fast cutting auger. I am between a nils, 2.5 solo or strike lite 2 Not sure which way to go? I believe the best motor out there is the tanaka. But I like the fact that if I need parts etc... Strikemaster is so close. What to do?