Buying a new auger?

[CatManLee]

Well, my wife finally gave in to my constant begging! She said I could buy a new auger.

I can buy a 2hp Jiffy Stealth for $369.00 or

a 2hp Strikemaster Lazer Mag for $359.00.

Right now I have an older 3hp Jiffy 30 Ice Auger. I absolutely love my auger, still runs like new, cuts fast and has never let me down, but...It weighs a ton and when it hits the bottom of the hole it almost always grabs. Plus it has alot of torque wich [PoorWordUsage]s me out if drilling alot of holes.

So at this point even though I have never owned a Strikemaster that is what I am leaning towards, simply because I have heard it has little to no torque when drilling and breaks through the bottom smoothly.

I don't mind buying blades more often if needed, as long as it is worth the money.

OK. so lets hear it. How do you guys like drilling holes with your strikemasters, any complaints/positives?

And how about the Jiffy Stealth, how does it cut? Is it anything like the Old one blade chipper in how it torques and or grabs?

Also, just a note: I don't re-drill holes, so I would only be drilling fresh ones.

And NILS Guys, Don't bother. I can't afford one and will probably never buy one, thanks anyways.

[PierBridge]

Both good augers, the longer you wait the better the price is going to be....

I have an older model 30 also....bullet proof.

It's hard to beat Strikemasters service and repair options.

I would lean slightly towards them.

[harvey lee]

I have a 10 inch Jiffy stealth and it cuts and starts very well for me.Almost always starts with one pull.The only downfull of this auger is the weight factor as it is somewhat heavy.Another consideration you might want to look at is the Nils Master as I have heard many good things about this unit but I have not had to this date a chance to use one.Tommorrow I will get my first chance and then will have a first hand idea of just how well it cuts.I cant really say I have any problem with it grabbing,just cuts right through the ice.

[who are those guy]

My old man has a early 80's Jiffy. I have a 98 StrikeMaster. Both get it done. But on a power level - the Jiffy is hands down. Cuts faster and more power. Good thing with the SM is it starts first pull. Cuts quick if sharp.

.

If I had $ - I would go with Jiffy - easier carb clean and power, the SM relies on sharp cut for performance. Engines are equal. If I were light on $ i would go SM as I did - long term go with Jiffy.

[jltimm]

Strikemaster=Great customer service-Light fast cutting auger-doesn't spin fast like the jiffy throwing ice all over your legs or inside of HSOList.As long as you keep your blades covered on the strikemaster,and don't ram them through the ice,you will get alot of use out of a set.

[Chris Haley]

I don't know what your limit is. I used the new Strike-light by Strikemaster over the weekend. During guiding you are on the move and always looking for fish. This auger is amazing plane and simple. Weighs less than 20lbs. I would pull up to a spot and get out, started on the first pull EVERY time. I would then start by drilling ten holes. If I found fish I would drill the spot out. I drilled over 300 holes on Fri and Sat. Never even worked up a sweat. It's a four stroke so there is no mixing of gas either. went through only two tanks of gas for those 300 holes. Two tanks isn't even a gallon.

[hanson]

Chris-

My dad bought the Strike-Lite this winter as well and I've used it on a few occasions. I think a lot of the "concerns" that have been brought up on these forums are unfounded. The Strike-Lite starts and runs awesome, and cuts like a hot knife through butter. So far so good with the composite auger.

What I am interested to see is how well the plastic auger head will hold up when some of the owners don't replace their blades when they are dull and start forcing the auger to cut.

Oh yeah, we'll be at the Winni I.C.E. Series event with it as well.

[hanson]

CatManLee-

I have no hesitation recommending that Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express to you. I have been very, very happy with mine over the last 4 winters.

Change the blades every winter if you auger a lot of holes. Strikemaster has a blade exchange program. Mail in your old blades and they'll return you some new ones. I believe it is $20 for the exchange vs. $40 for the new set of Lazer blades in the store.

For comparison, the Jiffy Stealth blades cost $70 to replace.

I know Jiffy is advertising a 3 yr warranty with their Stealth STX blade systems. Even if you replaced your Strikemaster Lazer blades every winter through the blade exchange program, you are still only out $60 after 3 years compared to $70 if you were to replace your Jiffy blades after 3 years. Food for thought.

[Guest]

Strikemaster augers perform great and do hold up over time. My 1st auger was the old Magnum III with the 8 1/4" chipper blade. I used it with that auger for 6 or 7 years and then changed to a 8" lazer auger bit. In that amount of time the recoil spring broke once, and the throttle came loose a few times(was a problem on older ones). That auger was perfect until I borrowed it to a friend and they didnt mix the gas... well, got a new power head and ran it for a few more years with no problems and sold it to another FM'er a couple years back.

Once I changed to the lazer auger, it performed great for a couple years.. then it wouldnt drill right. I took it to the strikemaster factory in Big Lake and they re-pitched the blades(within 15 minutes for free) for me and it drilled as good as new. I learned that day NEVER to smack your auger down onto the ice. Just sit it down and hit the throttle and it will go.

I wont buy anything but strikemaster augers. I have had very good luck and dependability with the augers through heavy use, and the service on the units at the factory is above and beyond. Blade life is exceptional if your not smaking your auger on the ice, or drilling through and hit sand(oops).

light, dependable, fair price(in comparison)

[Ole #1]

I have 10 inch 3hp model 30 jiffy and wouldn't buy a different auger. Bought mine in 2000, don't need to sharpen or replace any blades, cuts fast and works great. Why would you buy something you have to keep sticking money into, like new blades every year?

Every auger should start and run just fine. If it doesn't, it's a mechanical issue, not a brand issue.

[Northlander]

Both are good augers. The shaver blade will be a bit faster but the chippers cut threw anything even when dull. I lean towards the chipper blades. Even if you hit sand or wood they will still cut. The shaver will be almost useless in that situation. Isnt that right Green n Gold?

[jltimm]

Hey Northlander!Did ya get out to Mille Lacs?If so how did ya do?

[Northlander]

Yes went yesterday and hit the s/w side below Eddies. Hit some smaller rock piles. I caught 2 eyes and a bunch of small perch. 23' of water.

[hanson]

Maybe I am missing out on something with these Jiffy augers but could you tell me how I will NEVER have to sharpen or replace their auger blades??

Like I said, my old Jiffy Model 30 had the single chipper blade. We had to replace or sharpen that chipper every year. If not, you had to stand on the tailgate of the truck to get enough downward pressure to get that thing to cut.

[HC Eye Hunter]

I have the opportunity to use the new Strikemaster 4 stroke this year and I absolutely love it! It has plenty of power, it is light (synthetic auger)it is easy to start, no oil mix and it is quiet. I realize they are more money but because it is a 4 stroke that auger will last a lifetime and then some.

[Northlander]

Hanson who told you you dont have to sharpen Jiffy blades? Like all blades they need sharpening. Best thing is to have a good stone to use every week or so to keep the edge. Even when duller the chippers will still cut. You already know that though if you had a Jiffy. The new De icer blades do last a long time though.

I wouldnt give up my Nilsmaster for any other auger out there though.

[hanson]

Northlander-

Just referencing a post further up in the thread.

Quote:

---

I have 10 inch 3hp model 30 jiffy and wouldn't buy a different auger. Bought mine in 2000,

don't need to sharpen or replace any blades

, cuts fast and works great.

Why would you buy something you have to keep sticking money into, like new blades every year?

Every auger should start and run just fine. If it doesn't, it's a mechanical issue, not a brand issue.

---

[jltimm]

Thanks for the reply Northlander!I was out yesterday as well and got a couple jumbo's and a few eater eyes.Fished the flats most of the day.

[Hossienda]

I was recently looking at Strikemasters and was wondering about the performance difference between the LazerMag Express and the 224(has 4 blades?) Any one have any thoughts??

-Hossienda

[harvey lee]

I had a chance to use a nils auger today and it is one very nice unit. I have a jiffy stealth and that cuts great.The Nils cuts very well and the bonus is that it is a very light unit and I love the handle set-up as when in a house you can cut the holes in the corners very easy.If someone wants a new jiffy,just buy a Nils and then I will swap with you.

[CatManLee]

Well, I decided to go with the Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express. I got the auger, blade cover, and an extension all for $333.00 Total! WoooHooo, I can't wait to get out after work Tomorrow and give it a try.

Thanks for all the input guys.

[Biffer]

I ended up making the same purchase after doing quite a bit of research. So far, I have been very pleased. Enjoy your new auger.

[Jim Hudson]

Glad to hear you guys got hooked up with the Lazers.. Enjoy em!!!

[SomethingFishy*]

I puchased the Lazer mag express on 01/01/06 as a factory rebuilt at a local gas/bait shop for $295, I have already drilled 100+ holes. It works great, the only negative I have found is when I tried to reopen one of my old holes, it was pretty much a no go. I usually open new holes anyways.

Good luck and enjoy the purchase.

[Guest]

somethingfishy..

Im surprised you have problems opening old holes with your lazer. I have never had a problem with mine. I think its better because it doenst hang up every revolution like the chipper blades.

The only time mine wouldnt redrill is when my blades were out of pitch... then again it didnt want to drill anything properly then.

[Jimmy Jay R]

I just purchased the Lazer Mag Express 8". What a sweet ride! it blew through new holes and i tried some old holes since i had read this and it seemed to do ok? I drilled about 50 holes on Clear lake today and didnt even break a sweat. So far so good. Cat Man did you get to try yours out ?