new ice auger

[jackoh58]

I need a new auger was thinking electric or gas. what type do some of you folks think are best? just want some opinions.

Thanks

[wingnutken]

I recently sold my Jiffy 3hp and bought an electric Strikemaster. I wanted to stay away from the gas and exhaust smell in my sleeper. I love the new auger. It's not as fast as the gas but it doesn't throw ice all over the house either. It also re-drills holes with ease. (Something that my Jiffy could never do) I owe a hats off and a thanks to Walleye Dan for his post recommending the electric. I strongly recommend them unless you are a run and gun fisherman. Hope this helps,Ken

[zamboni]

I personally have the 4 stroke Strikemaster- no exhaust, no mixing gas-n-oil, lightweight and pretty quiet. I love it!

[juggs]

Spend the money and get a Nils.

[dirtking]

stikemaster electric is my new favorite - NO starting!

[Harmonica Bear]

My buddy bought a new electric. I was so skeptical I almost laughed at him. Well, the jokes on me. That thing works great. I need a new one, and I am going to act like Bob Dylan and go electric.

[ozzie]

for a hard house i am sold on the electric auger...the only thing i don't like about them is they are not made in 10 in blade........otherwise strikemaster!!!!

[jkjkoda]

Check out the nills wont be sorry. Wish we had this last weekend we drilled 30 holes with strike master this weekend through 40 inches on upper red feeling it today. nills lighter and cuts faster does what you think your iceauger should do.

[Paul Waldowski]

jk,

Sorry that you're feeling the pain....I had a buddy up there this past weekend and he wasn't a believer until I had drilled 10 holes to his 3. I also watched a two guys manhandling an auger for 20 minutes to drill 4 holes, NO THANKS!!!!!

It's Nil's for me forever

[Matt Johnson]

I run either the Strikemaster Strike-Lite 4-stroke or the LazerMag 2hp 7-inch. The Strike-Lite is a sweet unit. Very lightweight and plays very well on gas. Also cuts a fast hole and doesn't wear and tear on your body as much. The LazerMag 7-inch is a great pannie tool. I use it on a regular basis and with the 7-inch bit it really flies through the ice. Both are exceptional augers in my opinion...

If you're looking to punch a lot of holes in a day then I would go with a gas auger instead of an electric. The electric augers are great for re-opening holes in a permanent fish house, but I prefer a gas auger from running around outside...

[jackoh58]

thanks for the feedback. we are nailing the walleyes here on lake erie, island areas. we only get short seasons and sometimes no ice at all. I have another question hoping you guy's can help. my nilsmaster 8" hand auger does not want to cut but only about an inch deep and stop. how do you go about sharpening this type?

[markkstanley]

Call JP at Nils and he explain the whole procedure to you. When he gets his grinder repaired he will probably start the exchange program again but that won't help you right now.

[Northlander]

Go to the nils HSOforum and order a new blade. You always should have a extra anyways. Then when the sharpening machine gets runnin again send in the old one to get fixed up. I always have at least 1 extra set of blades with me for my Nils.