Looking for new auger

[lungdeflator]

The thing I'm most concerned about it reliability. I don't want an electric either. It doesn't have to be the fastest or the lightest one out there. 5 extra lbs and a few extra seconds drilling doesn't do good when it doesn't start. Haven't bought an auger in a long time, what's out there?

[dfeste]

Determine what you want to spend first. I think most brand new augers on the market will start and run reliably. A little tlc should keep them going for years. I've only run my Nils for a couple of years but I'm confident that the Tanaka power head will remain reliable for years to come.

[Brad B]

the best thing would be to try and make either the Hard Watre Expo @ Blaine this weekend or the big show at St. Paul (December 6th to 8th).

all the brands should be there on display and you would have a chance to ask questions of the company reps. Personally I have now decided to make my 1991 Strikemaster Magnum III my back up auger and will be running the new Clam Edge Auger this year. regardless of brand the longevity comes with how you take care of it.

[Northlander]

Everyone is making good augers these days. Cost, weight, speed, size, chipper or shaver blades and reliability should be all thought over before buying.

I ran a Nils for years and loved it but this year I will be trying out a new Strikemaster 4 stroke with a Honda motor. I heard nothing but good things about them last season and I know it will be better this year with the improvements they made. One thing I will enjoy is no mixing of oil/gas.

[WinterHaven]

I used last year the new Jiffy propane auger and I loved it. No gas or fumes and you don't have to do a choke. Was in -25 degree temps and it never took more than 2 pulls to start it. I know a lot of people didn't like the weight of it but this year they came out with a lite model that does weigh less.

[DLD24]

As the others said I'm sure most brands augers will start if you take care of them...I had an Eskimo Barracuda that me and my brother got for christmas 15 years ago and that thing still started first or second pull everytime when we sold it...So I stayed with Eskimo and got the Z51 shark, I used it a ton last year and it started first or second pull everytime, cuts fast and is decently light....The only other auger I tried last year was my buddys Jiffy propane auger, that thing was a tank... I drilled four holes and put it down and got my shark...As far as going to the ice show and talking to the reps, I feel like your not going to get any help there every rep is going to say their brand is best IMO...Watch Glens Army Navy HSOforum for deals...Last year I saved $130 on my auger...Good Luck

[fshhntfootball]

Love my Eskimo Mako

[stealth3350]

mako is best auger i have ever owned,how ever im looking for new auger for wheel house.. i have picked 3 the pro 4, 4 stroke, or ion.

heres my take and any suggestions are wellcome..must be 10 inch auger

pro4- heavy,and drills oposite way,its like throwing a ball left handed for me

4 stroke- still gas but not sure how much smoke u still get

ion- really like the concept, but not sure about battery life. could really ruin your day if u run out..

i fish up north were im allways drilling 3ft or more of ice

[TruthWalleyes]

No problems with my strikemaster lazer mag. Worlds faster than my old eskimo barracuda.

[lungdeflator]

Thanks guys. I saw the new clam augers...who makes them? I'm sure clam just puts their name and spin on it. I heard the new jiffy motors are now made in China? Any truth to that? The other one I was looking at was strikemaster lazer mag...??

[BartmanMN]

Honda and Reliability go hand in hand. I'd look at the Hondalite from strikemaster if money is no issue.

[Brad B]

Thanks guys. I saw the new clam augers...who makes them? I'm sure clam just puts their name and spin on it. I heard the new jiffy motors are now made in China? Any truth to that? The other one I was looking at was strikemaster lazer mag...??

Clam makes their own augers. they used the German engineered motor on them and developed the drill unit to their specs. Clam is not just putting their name on it. the motor used on it is a motor that any company could buy and make a auger with it.

[Hobey]

Nils. Mine starts on the second pull every fall after sitting all summer long. The only thing is that you need a spare cutting head.

[Lusid]

I run the Mako 8" version, it's kind of beefy but it works very well. I do start the motor a few times during the summer months.

[DooWap]

Clam makes their own augers. they used the German engineered motor on them and developed the drill unit to their specs. Clam is not just putting their name on it. the motor used on it is a motor that any company could buy and make a auger with it.

I don't know about that. While I might be very wrong on this, those Clam augers look like they are a Strikemaster Lazermag with a blue cowling instead of red. Same engine, same handles, same drill, same blades.

[brian6715]

I don't know about that. While I might be very wrong on this, those Clam augers look like they are a Strikemaster Lazermag with a blue cowling instead of red. Same engine, same handles, same drill, same blades.

I agree, if they didn't use strikemaster parts they made near exact copies. The handles look identical don't they? Or are there differences?

[DTro]

In simpler terms,  the Clam auger uses a Solo motor and a Mora auger.  Sound familiar? 

 

But yes there is a difference.  Clam tweaked the on/off switch, made a change in the gearbox, and made the color blue instead of red.  

 

Kind of like a Chevy/GMC thing

 

“German engineered motor with a Swiss Precision Drill each tuned and balance for maximum performance”  Sure sounds better though doesn’t it?  LOL

[Fred_Bear]

Correct me if I'm wrong here...

The Clam augers use a powerhead made by Solo and an auger made by Mora of Sweden. They connect the two with a transmission consisting of heat treated, metal gears in an aluminum housing.

The Strikemaster Lazer Pro and Lazer Mag use a powerhead made by Solo and an auger made by Mora of Sweden. They connect them with a transmission with heat treated, metal gears in a plastic housing.

The augers are very similar and use the same outsourced companies, but people make it seem like Clam is taking Strikemaster augers and replacing the red with blue... obviously that is not the case.

[Fred_Bear]

To the OP...

If you want the best of the best for a high performance, DURABLE, trouble free auger. Get yourself a NILS.

[fsnrod]

I wonder if their made by Mora of Sweden augers are made in china like strikemasters are.

[Fred_Bear]

I'm sure they are. Just like the "German engineered" Solo motors.

[Hobey]

To the OP...

If you want the best of the best for a high performance, DURABLE, trouble free auger. Get yourself a NILS.

This. Just don't bang the cutting head. The thing I like the best about my Nils is that it's about a foot longer than a Jiffy or Strikemaster. No bending over drilling through thick ice is a back saver.

[Surface Tension]

When Tecumseh went out of business that left auger manufacturers scrambling for a (low cost)alternative powerhead and gear box. At one time I could tell you what brand and model engine was in every power auger. Not anymore as they have switched so often.

Can't say what it'll be like getting parts for here today gone tomorrow engines either.

Nils Master was unaffected when Tec went under.

Tanaka powerhead and transmission are commercial grade.

Tanaka has extended the warranty on their engines to a 7 years warranty on engines going back to 2009. That says a lot as far as quality.

There are a few changes coming up from Nils Master though.

Same Tanaka engine and transmission and I already mentioned the 7 year warranty.

The 8" blade will be closer to 7 3/4". Reason being Nils listened to users about leaving shavings in the hole. Although that was never a problem with my experience.

Nils blade cover. While Nils blades will still be sold with the same cover, Cold Snap has made a cover for the 8" Nils blade. I have a few and they work very well.

For you guys that want a 10" hole, rumor has it Nils will have a 10" coming out but not sure when.

There will also be a bigger CC Tanaka engine coming out too.

[hamms-scooter]

I bought a Tanaka 270 powerhead this year and cant wait to drill some ice. I bought it cause of what Frank mentioned, quality ,lightweight, and great warranty. Spend your money on quality and a proven track record on a motor that has been around, which ever you choose. Good luck.

[Esox_Magnum]

Frank makes some great points, I bought the Nils for the simple fact it will be a 1 time investment as it should outlive me....