Power augers

[Guppy]

What would be a good power auger to buy? I'm hoping I can find a late season deal. It's for my son who ice fishes quite a bit.

[hanson]

Quote:

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I'm hoping I can find a late season deal.

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Well... I would say a good late season deal on a power auger would be the right auger to buy. I know, I know... I'm a smarta$$.

You should be able to find a Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express for a good deal. That is what I run and I'll recommend that auger to anyone in a heartbeat. Its not the fastest thing on the market (but close), its not the lightest thing on the market (but close), and its not the cheapest thing on the market (but its getting there).

Happy hunting!!

[SomethingFishy*]

I have the Lazer mag express and I will vouch for it being a good auger. I have had mine since the first of the year and have drilled atleast 150 holes all without any problems. I purchased mine as a factory rebuild from a local bait ship in Rockville, MN He sold it to me for $295. I was in there on saturday and he had 1 left. Good Luck

[maj330]

There were still a few Lazer Mag Express 8" at Dick's for $280 yesterday. They are great augers at $370 and even better at $280.

[Juan Grande]

Hey Lazer Mag Express 8" owners, got a question for you. I just got bought a new one in January and I've been having trouble getting it started.

I just put a new spark plug in it and brought it up to Red lake. It runs fine once you get it started, but I have to pull the cord at least 20 times each time I start it. I want the thing to run flawlessly for $369.

What kind of mixture ratio do you use?

[SomethingFishy*]

I have only used the strikemaster oil, 1 bottle to 1 gallon.

Mine as well seems to take a few extra pulls sometimes, once started she runs fine. I have contemplated calling Strikemaster about it.

[SomethingFishy*]

I called Strikemaster and spoke with a Tech and he said to bring it in the carb maybe gummed up, he said there are a few things that could be possibilities but said doesn't sound like it should be to long of a fix. He said normally they shoud start in 2-3 pulls. Hope this helps. I'm gonna try to bring mine in on Friday morning.

[metrojoe]

Keep your eye out for a Mag 2000. Great auger for the price.

[Powerstroke]

I also have a brand new lazer Mag 8" and mine runs quite well. Obviously use the proper mix ratio which is 24:1. If you don't use the pre-sized oil bottles then most quality 2 cycle oil will tell you how much to mix depending on how much gas you use.

The only thing I can think of that I did a couple times was I forgot to open the gas tank vent and then it couldn't move any gas. OPened the vent and it nearly sucked me in the tank. Mine starts in less than 5 pulls, even on URL saturday morning at 24 below zero and not been started in 2 weeks.

[loebs93]

I switched to Amsoil Sabre this winter with a 100:1 ratio. It can be tough to find in stores; I just purchased mine on line. My Stikemaster use to take at least five pulls to get going. Now, no matter what the temperature, it fires up in one to two pulls. I absolutely love that stuff.

[Northlander]

Ill second that. I run the Saber in my Nilsmaster and it has been impressive. I now run it in all my lawnmowers. snowblower etc.

[Juan Grande]

Yes, I use the presized bottles of Strikemaster oil. Two bottles of oil in a two gallon jug.

There are some times when it won't start at all. After about 15 pulls it starts to catch, but then dies before you can hit the gas. Once I get it running and cut holes, I can let it sit there and it idles fine. After changing the spark plug, it started in two pulls for a while but that quickly wore off.

I kind of felt stupid when my "fancy" auger wouldn't start on Red and one of my buddies pulled out his auger he hadn't started in three years and it fired up on three pulls.

Looks like I'll be making a trip to Strikemaster.

Thanks for the tips.

[Angler Don]

Strikemaster Lazer Mag Xpress 8 inch. Third season on mine, and it has been flawless since day 1. I use premium fuel and Strikemaster oil, as recommended. It NEVER takes more than 3 pulls to start. I hear the Strikemaster service is excellent as well. This is the only power auger I have owned, but I have been very happy with it. Buy your son a new auger, you should get a "Dad of the year" t-shirt !!

Good luck !

Don

[madmax22]

im afraid to post i have a eskimo shark and i hit the primer once and i pull and im tearing thrhrough the ice in seconds. it was about 350 but it started in 25 below with 1 pull

[Scenic]

I have been using Strikemaster augers for a long time and would not change. Try giving it a couple ounces of isopropyl. Sometimes when you take them in from outside and then take them back out in the cold they condensate. I also run 50:1 gas mixture in mine but I am not telling you to do that. I will just say that this is my 2nd year on this auger with no problems. Mine normally starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull. Allow your auger to warm up for a bit before drilling the first hole and you will be good to go.

[Guppy]

I just bought the Lazer Mag Express 10" from Reeds in Walker for $269! They were out of the 8" so I got the 10".

[Captain B.R.K]

I don't think it has been said yet, but I'd go with a Lazer Mag Express if I were you Wait, I think it's been said like 2 or 3 or 4 times already.

I think we've made a pick for you already. Just go out and find a deal!!

[JRFISHBAIT]

Don't know where you're located, but we have the LM8 Reconditioned Strikemasters Express still in stock. $279 We can ship but you pay the shipping.

Reel Fishing and Tackle, Madison Lake MN 507.243.3388

[SomethingFishy*]

Got back from Strikemasters office in Big Lake, what a great bunch of people, had my auger running like a dream in about 15 minutes. The problem was the carb was running rich, they also replaced the gas tank at no charge as it was showing signs of leakage. All taken care of for no charge.

Thanks Strikemaster.

[vikingmeatwad]

I have heard so many great things about strikemaster, I am buying one this year or next. Time for a power auger :-)

[wolfman-k]

I was told by my local small engine repair guy that oxiginated gas really gums up the carb. He said that it's really good for his business, but it is easy to avoid.He also told me that only one gas station in town (Anoka) sells non-oxiginated gas, SA on 7th. I noticed on the trip up to URL last week-end that most stations up North sell non-oxy too (Premium). There is a sticker on the pump advising that it can be used for small engines. I haven't tried this yet, but the gallon of gas in my gas can is going into the truck tank, and non-oxy mixed with Saber will be getting the test next fishing trip. Oh yeah, StrikeMaster all the way. Great customer service, and reliable product!

[Guppy]

If you're thinking of buying this year, check out Reeds Sporting Goods in Walker. I just bought the Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express 10"for $269. They also have free shipping right now on them!

[tightlines]

A tad bit more expensive, but Nils Master if you want the lightest, fastest, best running, easiest to operate auger on the market. I have owned Jiffy and Strikemasters. Both great augers. What I like about nils is you pull the starter cord once to choke & pop and once too run. Pull the trigger and the auger does all the work. No bearing down on it to cut. Very light so it's not a lot of work to drill those extra holes for finding fish. What's also impressive is this thing is cutting better the more it's used. All adds up to the best auger out there in my opinion. They cost a hundred or 2 more but well worth it. And no I don't work for Nils Master.

[jltimm]

I was just at Strikemaster in Big lake,and on the wall were the results from the slice through the ice auger competition.Strikemaster beat the Nilsmaster in the contest.Not that I'm in a race to drill a hole anyhow.It's also a note to mention the cost to replace the blades on the Strikemaster is a lot cheaper and easier to do as you can get Strikemaster blades anywhere,and the Nils are expensive and alot of places have never heard of these augers.

[Paul Waldowski]

JT,

I find that really interesting as I have yet to find an auger that will drill a hole as easily and as fast as the Nils can. The blades are a little bit more to replace and they are hard to find, but I solved that problem by just always having a spare set on hand. There are also a couple of places locally here in the cities that do warranty work for them.

I do a lot of running and gunning, for me the Nils being lighter and much more effortless suits my style of fishing. Just my .02