Ice Augers

[Beaver15]

Any other thoughts fellas, it's a new 2HP 9" Stealth.

[Rick]

test

[muchowja]

Beaver 15- I let my auger rest against my right hip also when I drill. I can hold it straight with just my arms and shoulders but why work that hard when I can just let the handle push agoinst my hip?

[Bob_D]

Beaver,

You may have a clutch problem. The extra friction on the bit by going deeper may be triping the clutch. I had a unit before with the same problem. It ended up being some grease on the clutch drum. Someone relieved me of that unit a couple of years ago. But, It allowed me to get my Nils, so I am actually happy the stole it.

[Beaver15]

Much- Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I'm gonna give it another run this weekend and see if I still have any problems. Thanks for the reply Bob, I'll check into that if problems continue. Other guys have mentioned too that it seems like too much work to drill holes this way.

[JIGLFIN]

Beaver15

If your auger is the 2HP model, your not alone. Myself and others have reported the lack of power problem and also many are hard starting and cold blooded, there is also a rewind issue. So proceed with caution before putting out the $$$ for this auger!

[mnrstrider]

Quote:

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Hey Bigbuck, if you are ever going to buy one now is the time. I just got back from Gander Mountain in Lakeville and they had the Strikemasters on sale. I bought the Lazer Mag Ultra for $299.99 - normally priced $429.99. The regular Lazer Mag was marked down to $225. I've used Strikemasters for a while and I couldn't pass up this deal.

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Don't worry about it bigbuck, it's long gone now I just picked Gander mountain's (lakeville store) last 8 inch lazer mag. Don't know if they are getting more other stores have 'em, but the supply is short. I can't wait to use this thing. after all the posts I've read I have no doubt strikemaster is the brand I should buy, since the nils is out of my price range.

[cold one sd]

I talked to the Jiffy dealer in my town and he said that the 2 hp Stealth has a tighter clutch than the 3 hp and it takes longer to break them in. You can't start them and let the auger sit on the ice because it will kill the engine. With a 3 horse you can start it and sit the bit on the ice and it will just quit turning the bit. One thing that helped me a lot was to switch ot Amzoil synthetic 100 to 1 mixture. It starts, idles, and runs much better and it doesn't bog down while I am drilling a hole.

[Koolguie]

If you are intrested in running a product like Amsoil with a better track record STENS has a universal mix for ALL 2-stroke motors not on a vehicle or boat. STENSMIX is a 1 pouch to 1 gallon mix that can be run in everything from your auger to your line trimmer and your little 2-cycle snowthrowers. It does not smoke and eliminates the oily mess caused by standard oils. My friends and I all run it in our augers and since switching to it they all have seemed to increase in power also. STENSMIX is available at Reel Fishing and Tackle in Madison Lake. They are also a STENS dealer. Give it a shot, it works.

[Leinenkugels]

I started using the battery power strikemaster this year. It has no fumes and no startup issues. I also carry a booster pack. In 20-24 inches I can drill 15-20 holes with the auger charges and an additional 20-25 holes with the booster. Same blade wear as other 2 blade laser models. No gas needed, no gas fumes in the house. I figure I have to plug in the Marcum, why not just go to plugging in the auger.

[BIG DS]

I agree with Koolguie. I swithched a 12 year old OPE over to STENS mic and after about 12 holes it started to sound crisper, picked up a few revs and quit smoking. I have run a chainsaw on STENSMIX for 8 years cutting about 100 cords of wood to sell each year and the saw has the same compression as it did the day I bought it. It is good stuff!

[herdog]

Update on my Lazer Mag Ultra: I called Stikemaster & he said about 30% of the Ultras have a problem. He offered me another one or a 2-blade Bit, I really liked the 9" but kind of chickened out & took a 8". They also replaced the 2 sets of dull 9" blades with 8" blades. so thats good.

Problem is I'm out about $160 in blades and reduced value compared to if we had just bought a Lazer Mag Express right off. Plus 2 aborted fishing outings because I could'nt drill a hole with my new auger/blades. o well at least I should be good to go now. This motor sure runs good and it is light.

[hanson]

herdog-

Thats the auger I run and am EXTREMELY happy! Glad they were able to work out some kind of deal with you. As much as we all want something for free, it ain't going to happen 99% of the time. Good to hear they could work something out with you.

As mentioned on many other threads, switch up to synthetic oil! Lots run Amsoil. I've been playing with Klotz (because I love the smell!). The Klotz does smoke but it is better than the Strikemaster smokeless dump in the little tiny containers.

[BigBuckHogg69]

I think i am gonna get a Strikemaster Mag Ultra 3 blade 9 Inch.

[sidecar pan fishin man]

I just bought a strike master laser express in january and I'm taking it back this week. It won't cut. I called strikemaster and they said it sounds like the pitch is screwed up on the blades. They sent me two free sets of blades for my troubles. I bought it at fleet farm and they said They will send it in for a replacement for a new one. I'm out an auger for a week or two but I get a new auger out of it. Thank god I also have a hand auger. Troy Pike

[herdog]

Geez Sidecar that's the last thing I need to hear right now since I plan to go fishing with my new 8" this coming week.

Hanson: I never asked for anything for free! I am just getting darn disgusted with buying things that are supposed to work and don't.

[sidecar pan fishin man]

Don't worry, I'm the unlucky one, I'm sure your auger is fine. It sounds like its a factory screw up, but I'm used to it. The first sidecar I bought new from the factory the wheel came off while moving. I was lucky I wasn't going very fast but I had it for over a year and put alot of miles on it. Seems someone forgot to put a vital bracket in place and didn't weld it correctly. As far as the strikemaster I would still highly recomend them. I think my auger is just a hick-up in quality control and they are working with me to make it better. Troy Pike