Problem with Jiffy model 30 auger.

[Andre]

I am new to ice fishing, I bought this jiffy model 30 on craigslist for 75 bucks and Im having some problems with it. Basically the problem is that the auger wobbles a lot and it takes a while to cut a hole. I dont know anyone else who ice fishes, or has an auger, so this is my only place to turn for help.

When I start the auger it starts up fine, and has no problems running. But once I start cutting, it develops a wobble, infact the wobble is so bad that i cant even hold it in my hands, i have to lean on it with my body to keep it in place. Im positive this is not normal.

ALso it takes me a while to cut through the ice. I dont know what the normal speed is, but the guy on this video on you tube

It takes him like 20 sec to cut a hole. It takes me roughly 2min to cut through a foot of ice. Im pretty sure there is something wrong with it, I jjust dont know what.
Anyone experice this type of problem, or know how to fix it?

[The Green Hornet]

There is a bolt that attaches the drill bit(blade), make sure that bolt is tight...if not you may have a bent auger or the threads stripped/bored out causing the bolt to loosin/slip up which would account for your wobbling...if you tighten the bolt down tight you may just need a new blade which you can order from jiffy etc

[Andre]

yes that screw is tight.

I am getting a little play in the shaft that is coming out of the gas drill part (the thing that the auger part mounts to), when i try to move it side to side side, it moves a little bit. Is that normal?

[burts122]

Sounds like the bearings in the gear box might be shot. I was out fishing with a guy who had a 30 year old Jiffy 30 and thats what was happening to his. He could still operate his unit but there was some play and he was trying to find a new gear box.

I'm no expert so someone else may want to elaborate.

[hoghammer]

There should be no play. probably the bearings. Thats not an expensive fix. Are you sure you are drilling straight, if you are not straight the auger is going wobble and not drill properly.

[stevek]

Sounds to me like it could be the blade or auger shaft. Can you see if there is anything that looks wrong at the cutting edge. It should look like this.

[fishingguy]

Sounds to me like it could be the blade or auger shaft. Can you see if there is anything that looks wrong at the cutting edge. It should look like this.

(Image removed from quote.)

Find a newer auger with the replaceable blade.
I had to scrap that auger style, is yours the old tiller handle?

[stevek]

That's not mine, just a picture I found on photobucket. Mine is a chipper with the gaps in the blade. My father put the free handle on many years ago when they were sending them out for free, shortly after they bought it I think.

I thought he might have a bent center blade or could even be missing the cutting blade.

[Team Icemonkey]

I got a model 30 we picked up a few years ago. It doesnt wobble but it jumps a bit when drillin hole&  I think it could drill easier. New blade on it hasn't solved the problem I don't know if your experiencing something similar or not. Im considering a new drill part but afriad to spend 170 bucks and that not b the fix. Mine has some up and down play but no side to side