ICE AUGERS

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I bought a jiffy model 30 ice auger last year at wal-mart. Bought a shack and everythng at cabela and forgot about the auger So had to get one since we were already half way on our trip, and wal-mart was the only option I could find. The auger seems to work well, but am wondering if there is something that I am missing out on with other possible brands that I don't know anything about. Would just like a few friendly tips.

[rippinlipz]

I love my jiffy, would never change! Personal preference.

[Northlander]

I had a Jiffy and it was a good auger but way heavy. I switched to a Nilsmaster Auger and wont go back. Its the lightest and fastest auger I have ever used and I have used them all.

[18 inch Crappie]

If it is the 3hp there nice but, takes to long to warm up and weighs a lot. Thats why I got rid of mine. If it is a 2hp model they you will be fine.

[EBass]

I have an Eskimo Baracuda or however that's spelled. It was cheap and works, but is so SLOW. My buddy HAD a strikemaster lazer mag that shreds, but he left it on the Wyzata beach early ice last winter. That was an awesome gift for whoever found it. Any who, I'd get a strikemaster, but that's just me.

I wish they had demo videos

[Snake River King]

I just bought a strikemaster 2000 auger 10.25 last weekend It seems to run good, I figure enything is better than a hand auger

[Sandmannd]

I just got a jiffy 30 off of craig's list for $120. Thought it was a good deal. They through in an extra blade assembly. I know those sell for a little over $100 and this one is brand new so figured it was a sweet deal. Both drill blades are 8 inches. This will be my first year with a gas auger instead of hand. Wifey is going to hate it cause you know I'll be fishing more now. Hehehehe.

[pathogen]

I've had my Jiffy 3hp for a bit over 20 years. It has gone in for a tune up once in all that time. It starts on first or second pull every time, and cuts very well. So for reliability and functionality, it is tops by me. However, I will agree with the others that it is on the heavy side. If you're cutting a lot of holes in an afternoon, it will take a toll on you. I haven't shopped for a new auger, but one of these years I'm going for something lighter, assuming the reliability factor is there as well.

[Greg K (aka:CRAPPIEBAIT)]

I can drill 150+ holes in a day waith my STRIKEMASTER Lazer Mag Express with very little fatigue.I start by poppin 15-20 holes at each spot (Run N Gun fishing) and fish every single hole for a minimum of a minute or two.If I have not marked a fish in that time BAM flip the lid on the trap and I'm in a new hole and heated in less than a minute (most times,depends on hole spaceing).I will never buy ANY other auger than STRIKEMASTER brand but,they are not a sponser of this site so I cannot talk about or give my own .02 cents on how exctremely AWESOME my STRIKEMASTER augers are.

[Greg K (aka:CRAPPIEBAIT)]

Oh yeah,I forgot how heavy those jiffys are.I would guess an extra 10-15 lbs.

[Northlander]

Greg you can talk about them all you want.

[JohnMickish]

I own both a Jiffy 30 (8 inch chipper) and a strikemaster (8" shaver). Here is how I see it.

They both cut equally fast with sharp blades but the jiffy will keep it's edge for years over the strikemaster, both start great but the jiffy is 10 lbs heavier. To me the 10 lbs isn't worth it anymore.

[Captain B.R.K]

Don't mind if I do then Northlander

I have a Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express as well. I have the 8" 2hp auger and I am pretty happy with it. It is lite and easy to lug around from hole to hole. I to like to run and gun and I enjoy popping 10-20 holes in at a time at any given location. It cuts fast and smooth. Just hold on and in seconds you have your hole ready to fish out of!

The only gripe I have is that when the temps are extremely cold, you need to watch the blades as they can ice up pretty easily. I have countered that with being more consciencous of where I place my auger when I'm done with it on those days and I've become more happy.

Otherwise my auger is 5 years old now and haven't had one problem! Strikemaster makes a great product and would highly recommend this auger to anyone.

I know the question has been raised before why have a power auger vs. a hand auger. Let me ask you, "would you work harder than you need to for something so simple as a 6" or 8" hole?" I think you've got your answer!

[Reynolds]

I currently have a 3hp, 10" Jiffy Legend, and let me tell you that that thing is a tank. If I were to drill a hundred holes in a day I think that would put me out of commission for the following day. I am putting some serious thought into buying a 4-stroke Strikemaster or a Nilsmaster this upcoming season. I plan on drilling a lot more holes this winter to stay on top of the fish. A heavy auger can be a real hindrance.

[Northlander]

Reynolds I had the 3 horse 10" Jiffy Legend and yes it was a TANK. Actually thats a understatement. My back aches just thinking about carrying that thing around.

I switched to a 8" Nilsmaster and Im in heaven. I can cut all day no problem. Super light and fast and the shaft is so long I didnt need a extention the past 2 years. Even on Red or LOW. I highly recomend a Nilsmaster.

[BIG DS]

If it helps, I have sold, repaired, and owned just about every auger available, at one time or another. You will never go wrong with any of the augers mentioned. Strikemaster has by far the best service department I have ever run across. Jiffy is very reliable and easy to maintain. The Jiffy Stealth are a little better at opening an old hole, the Strikemasters and the Nilsmasters are lighter. The Strikemaster Strikelight is a four stroke auger that is incredibly light, quiet, and there is no smoke and almost no fumes. It is not as fast as the Jiffy you bought. I think if you took time to get the info on all four brands and the different models available you might find one that fits your needs better, but I wouldn't say you are missing out on anything. As simple as I can put it would be, if you drill a lot of holes in a day-Nilsmaster or Strikemaster. Nils is by far the most expensive. If you re-open a lot of old holes-Jiffy. Strikemaster and Jiffy are priced about the same. Eskimo has a bunch of different models. They also have some of the lowest priced augers. If you are intrested in maybe getting a different auger, there are places that will trade in your auger on a new one. I hope this did not confuse you more.

[cold one sd]

I had a Jiffy 3 hp for 15 years and had no problems at all. It was easy to sharpen my own blades and I never had to replace the original blade. I bought a Jiffy 2 hp 8" Stealth 4 years ago and it has been great too. I have sharpened the blade one time for the heck of it. I have never had an auger that starts better than my Jiffy 3 hp did. I think you made a good choice.

[dirtking]

2 questions can you bounce a 4 stroke around on the way out fishing like you all know they can bounce whether its in the ice house, on the trailer, or mounted to your four wheeler. How bout the electric augers - Is there a difference between the Jiffy and the strikemaster other than stikemasters built in battery.

[chris63]

Hello,Ive owened both jiffy,strikemaster augers.Both are good products.Lazers definetly cut throught the ice faster,but if you want duel useage say,for cutting holes in summer for fence posts the only way to go is the "beefy"jiffy 3 horse.Seems like both ride good in a sled behind snowmobile or atv.Ive found that slower speeds across the ice are alot gentler on all equiptment/old bodys ect........hope this helps.ready for ice.c63

[Tony Holland]

Yes the 4 stroke will handle all the bouncing in the world. You only have to not tip it and travel with it one side. so you can lay it on 3 of the 4 sides. Not a big deal. I love the auger!!!!!!!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Thanks for all the info guys greatly appreciated

[RonZych]

I've got a custom strikemaster 3.5hp powerhead on top of a lazer 224, 4 blade auger. I can cut new holes,old holes and connecting holes without the auger jumping around.

[BIG DS]

The 4 stroke Strikemaster will take anything you can throw at it just like previously stated. Very durable machine. The electric Strikemaster uses the same battery as a Vexilar but they also have a cables to hook up to an external source so they are a bit more versatile. You can re-charge them at home or in you vehicle. Both the Jiffy and the Stikemaster electrics are durable units.

[toughguy]

I'm a 2 HP guy all the way. Those 3 HP augers are a pain to lug around. I use a portable and I like to keep on the move. The lighter your equipment, the easier it is to keep moving. I had a 3 HP jiffy and the thing was a tank. I'm not ripping the brand, if you like jiffy's just pick up a 2 HP.