2 blade lazer vs 224

[JSK76]

I have A 2HP Solo that I put a 8" 224 auger bit on last season to speed it up from the 10" chipper I bought it with. In the last week I have went through 2 sets of blades first time totally my fault the second time I have know idea what happened but they were cutting fine one hole and not the next. I can still get it to cut but I now have to put some force on it to cut. With the cost of 4 blades shipped to me at $66.00 I'm thinking I should just buy a new 2 blade lazer drill because I can get blades locally for around $40.00 and its possible I have a pitch issue with the 224 also. How much slower is the 2 blade over the 4 because I have never used the 2 blade lazer before?

[hamms-scooter]

The 2 blade is a very efficient auger. I ran a 6" for chasing panfish but have also ran 8". The problem with the lazer blade is if you fish in a busy area with lots of traffic on the ice any sand that you drill through on the ice will dull those blades right away... you will be wondering what happened to your sweet cutting machine. Just one thing to watch out for. Also make sure your blades are always tight, I had some come loose and it wrecked the blades. I have since switched to the jiffy stealth 8" and I am happy with my decision. I have the longest lasting blades out there and it cuts as fast as the lazer. The auger weighs a little more but thats the trade off I was willing to make. Strikemaster makes a quality product and if you remember to watch out for the road buggers on the ice you will get a few years out of a set of blades. I ran my 6" lazer blades to death. Some outings I had 200 holes drilled. Good luck

[joneshat11]

2 blade is actually faster!

[fishwater]

When I got my solo I got it with a 7" 2-blade and kept my 8" 224 to use with it also. Im on my third set of blades in 8+ years on the 224. I'm well into my 2nd gallon of gas this season, usually burn a bit over 2 gallons a season primarily using the 4-blade. It cuts really well, I've never been too concerned about speed, but it seems to me my 8" is slightly faster than my 7" 2-blade.

My 224 cuts so well, the protruding short blades dig in kinda like an extended centering point. You get lots of control, I can overlap holes creating large ovals without the auger bucking like the 2 blade does. It also never binds on the bottom of a hole like 2-blades.

My guess is your initial oops that messed up the blades did a number to the pitch or something else causing your problems?

[dan z]

finally replaced all 4 blades this year on my 224 I'm guessing they lasted 4-5 years and I LOVE IT!

[Hawg]

I didn't know there was a 8 inch 224, the 4 bladed drill right?

[fishwater]

I didn't know there was a 8 inch 224, the 4 bladed drill right?

Right, two 4" and two 8" blades.

[Hawg]

Discontinued- Another failed Strikemaster attempt to make a drill that would reopen holes like permanant guys need. That 9 inch 3 blade was sooooo close.

[JSK76]

I also have the Big Volt for useing in the wheel house and Strikemaster got it right with the dual stepper for reopening holes with that one.

I bought a new set of blades for the 224 the week old ones that made it one tank of gas look slightly nicked up I'm not sure if My buddy hit some sand or what but the 224 is so smooth and fast I just can't give up on it yet. My fingers are crossed I don't have a pitch problem too, I think my buddy was reopening some day old holes!

[dan z]

it doesnt take much to put them outta wack, and I never re-drill with mine I always drill fresh!

[JSK76]

If you put new blades on and it cuts good again are you good? Or if the pitch is bit off would it drill fine for while and slowly rune the blades? My guess is it won't drill good even with new blades.

Just thinking It might be smart to send the auger down to SM to check the pitch first but this is getting expensive, I just put $132 in blades in the last week and it about $30 shipping both ways to SM and $5-$10 to have it adjusted.