ice augers

[dash]

Does anyone have any experience with the nils master power or hand augers. How do they stack up against the other big three. Some of the claims I've seen fit the almost too good to be true category.

[Northlander]

From the people I talked to that have one they claim they do everything you hear. Supposed to be quick and light. Big $ though.

[Crappieman]

I have an hand one and I love it. I have taken it out in 12 inches of ice without a problem. It keeps you more moble on foot for a long time. I would not by another hand one. As for the gas one, I am sure it is good, but I already had a eskamo shark. (good unit too).

[Buckets]

Got to weigh in here ! I bought a lazer for my bros strike master this year cause the point was about gone on his old one And he lets me use it the most (= <BR>What a cuttin machine!!!!! BUT -don't- get into any dirty ice ** or bang it around dropping it on the ice which you shouldn't do with any auger.<BR>One cut in ice with blowen dirt on or in it and you might as well go back to open holes cause two big men and a horse leaning on that thing won't make you a hole in a week !!<P>Now back to the good part, since It was only a month old and had probably around 50 holes cut, I called the company with my disbelief and they said "no problem we will send you out a new set of blades" free. That my friends is a down roots company that stands behind their work ! They said if I fish that kind of ice alot (Oahe, where wind is abundent and trees are rare) I should use the old chipper style.<BR>The other bonus for strikemaster is the weight, probably 1/3 or more lighter than my old jiffy.

[dougger222]

Had a new 3 HP Jiffy break under warrenty a few years back. Cut one 10 inch hole then it quite, pulled the cord bang plastic pieces everywere!<BR>Two years back got a 2 HP Strikemaster lazer, very fast but very lousy throttle cable system. Fixed under warrenty to break a week later. Now it's attached with copper cable and been good for a while. My brother got a 9 inch triple lazer at the same time it cuts very bad, freezes up constantly. Drill one hole chizzle the ice away for the next. Strikemaster dealer said it has bad blades from factory, been sold since.

[Buckets]

I've heard too of lots of trouble with the throttles, so far my bro's has been great though, no problems. It is about 7 yrs old. I bought a extra set of blades to be safe too.<BR>For sure I would not buy a 3 blade 9" either, the blades are not cheap to replace.<BR>

[karma]

i've got to say i have tried the nils master and love it!! a friend of mine has the the 6" model and i swear to god, that baby pulls down into the ice with NO effort on your part. just hold it in place and let her go. it cuts faster than any drill i have seen and weighs nothing. $500 is a little too steep for me though, i'll have to stick with my jiffy.

[dougger222]

I think the throttle design is only a few years old that is lousy. It was being repaired at D Rock power center in Minneapolis and I said to the guy it was a very stupid design. He claimed him and another guy designed it and it didn't have a problem drilling 10,000 holes with it at a ice fishing contest.<BR>My buddy has a 20 year old Jiffy that runs like new but cuts very slow.

[Reel Time]

I know this thread is getting long and maybe off of your original question, but here it goes, The first auger I bought this year was a 10" 3 hp Jiffy Stealth, ran like junk but cut like butter, took it back and got a 9" 3 hp Jiffy Stealth same thing. I was so upset at Jiffy, there is nothing like pulling your auger out on LOW only to have it die after every hole. I then took that one back and got a Lazer ultra 2 hp, started and ran much better but cut a lot worse and I will agree the blades froze up contantly. So I have since returned that one and now have a 2 hp Jiffy Legend Lightning that runs great and cuts great and the Stealth blades don't give you that ice build up. I finally found out from a guy at Streiff's out of Warroad that the 3 hp Tecumseh motors rarely run good out of the box because of emissions controls that have to be put on them, so every one they sell they say go get it tuned by a small engine mechanic and it will run for you, ( I wish I would have known that in the first place) hope this helps. cheers

[dash]

I have a strike master right now and it runs like a champ and cuts pretty good. It is 12 years old. I was thinking of updating and getting a new one. 500 dollars is a lot of money, but I have a friend that just bought a lazer 3hp 10 inch, because he does a fair amount of lake trout fishing, and he paid 425 for it. 75 isn't much more for a nils master 8 inch if it cuts holes four times as fast as I have been told. I was hoping to hear from someone that has the power nils master 8 inch to see what they have to say about that auger. Although, it has been very interesting to hear about the different experiences people have had with other augers. Thanks.

[karma]

a buddy of mine actually helped design the nils master and they did have a problem figuring out the carb for the 8". i believe he said the problem was solved and he claims they kicked everyones butt at the ice drilling championships 2 weeks ago.

[Buckets]

dash, I am still not totally convinced I made the right choice, don't know how many holes to expect out of a set of blades. The new auger for the power head cost ,,$120. It sure cuts though with little effort, just hang on and treat the blades well. I start a new hole and then carefully wipe them off when done if there is a freeze problem..

[widetrack]

Ok, you guys should see this...<P>I suppose I'm bending the rules here, but there is video from the World ice auger championship on a site out there.<P>Icefishing dot outdoorfirst dot com.<BR>Goto video section.<P>I think you get the idea...<P>3 holes in 20inches of ice in 8.6 seconds...<P>The modified class will make you laugh, I promise you that...<p>[This message has been edited by widetrack (edited 01-20-2004).]

[Buckets]

the address don't work widetrack

[widetrack]

icefishingfirst dot com<P>Sorry.<p>[This message has been edited by widetrack (edited 01-20-2004).]

[i'majigger]

Just a little trick I have found for my Strikemaster auger, yes it will ice up but I have found that if I get it in my house warm it up and dry it off then spray the blades with Pam cooking spray they will stay ice free for many holes. I know this sounds like a pain in the butt to do but I really like this auger because it is so lite to carry around. I have a 3hp Jiffy also but I move alot to find fish and carrying that Jiffy around gets old quick.<BR>

[dougger222]

Yes, drilling 10 or more 10inch holes with a 3 HP auger for tip up fishing can really be a pain. It is nice to have a large hole when fiting big pike.

[Buckets]

jigger, thanks I'm going to try that if I get trouble. So far I have had pretty good weather to fish in so no problems. <BR>

[sledhead]

I have never seen the nils sound like a good machine. I have a 2hp lighting jiffy that has never failed my. wore out the thottle from drilling so many holes. got it rigged to work until i can get parts. My grand father has a strike master mag III, it's got to be 15 years old never fails him. got a new 3 blade bit for it, just about sucks ya right in the lake. Hey guy a little trick, it drills better at a slight angle. Try cutting straight not so good. but when she's cocked a little WAM! your through in no time. Besides gives to a better funnel effect, have never lost a fish at the bottom of the ice this way.