Re-opening holes in hardhouse

[coffee]

I recently picked up the StrikeMaster Lazer Max 2.5 hp Solo. Very happy with the auger. As advertised, the only drawback of this unit is it's inablity to re-open holes. What is everyone doing?

[smeese]

Getting Jiffy's? If you can initially open it with a bigger auger then the one you plan to reopen it with that helps, but other then that I don't know.

[CrappieAttitude]

Get a additional shaft with a chipper blade on it or find a buddy who has one and swap it out when you are in the hard house. Use the other one for everything else. You could probably find a used one someplace.

CA

[hamms-scooter]

They are are the list all the time. Bummer to spend so much on a new auger and not use it for the perm house... I have a mag 2000 chipper, 6" lazer and a jiffy stealth .I guess you could say i'm covered Good luck. The chipper would be a good investment for you.

[FirstIce]

Nothing against you for buying a lazer, fast cutting, lightweight, and all around good auger. But for god sakes people need to stop drinking the "SM lazer" koolaid. Yes, like i mentioned all around good auger but for anyone who has a permy they are a pain in the butt. I would recommend for anyone who has a permy to stay away from one!! A SM Mag or Jiffy are way better options for this. The only thing you could do now is sell it or by a chipper bottom for it. I had a lazer once and sold if for my Jiffy stx pro (Love that auger). I was having the same problems you were and the pitch also went to wack so I was had to buy another bottom for it.

[Gus]

I don't doubt people having issues, it is certainly brought up enough times over. But I personally, Have NEVER had a problem redrilling a hole in my perm with my laser mag.

I set it down in the center and start slow, as soon as it bites, let er rip. Fished 3-4 days a week last winter and redrilled holes every time I was out.

[hamms-scooter]

If you decided to buy a different auger altogether and not just a drill, the stealth blade system on the Jiffy is fast. You can pick up a used drill cheap though and the beauty of the chipper is you can sharpen them yourself.

[no bait nate]

I have also never had a problem reopening holes with the lazer. I have reopened holes in a perm house hundreds of times within the past few years and never ran into any issues. Like stated above, start out slow and then as it bites I almost pull up and let it rip! works great. it will buck pretty hard if it does catch though because of all the torque. My uncle has an older lazer and he has been using it to reopen holes for many years and never had any issues with it. good luck. A chisel also works great for holes barely frozen, or else just leave the heat on like we do!

[otterman91105]

I have a strike master auger with the chipper blade and it works great for cutting or reopening hole's. That chipper blade cut's great.

[muskE]

Why not just use a chipper for all holes? Unless you're a serious hole hopper or tournament guy that needs 30 holes drilled in 10 minutes that needs speed (which I doubt if you have a perm) the chipper will provide more utility overall. It seems there are more threads discussing lazer issues than chipper issues. I'm just sayin'

[otterman91105]

I switched from a lazer to a chipper cutting system and love it. I use it for all my holes now, for me i would not go back.

[Hawg]

I'm with Otterman. I had a razor blade auger, but I bought a chipper drill for it. I'll never own another razor style, I've been left with dull blades too many times, and then you might as well try to kick your way through the ice.

[Jim Uran]

I haven't ran into any problems reopening holes with my Lazer! I drill a ton of holes and move around a lot, a chipper blade is a decent choice but it sure is slow compared to a Lazer. If all you do is go out to your house and re-open the holes every time you go out, than a chipper will do you just fine.

But if you like to move and stay on the fish, I'd recommend a Lazer!

[Acemac]

If you have a perm and have to reopen holes I don't think the auger is the prob you just need to go fishing more!