Power ice augers

[Machine]

I am thinking about getting a power auger and would appreciate any advice, good and bad about all types, and brands. Thanks

[damanfrgr]

just got the drill atch...seen a few this season all worked pretty good ,good bang for the buck i think ....try it out in the morn!!!! cant afford a gaser that would be nice but just cant swing it trying ti find a one flip over maybe end of this season or first of next yr???

[firefish]

just curious do you use a DeWalt? I have used a new and an old battery type 18V DeWalt and have not had good luck.  I know guys that have craftsman drills and they seem to do well in cold weather, I just wonder if that would be better.
I recently bought a 10 Jiffy Pro 4, and love it and the idea of not haveing to carry a gas can or haveing gas fumes in the back of my Yukon.  It is my first power auger so my opinion isn't really valid.

[terry fish]

My friends and I all have Jiffy and Eskimo augers. All run great and cut good. I don't think you could go wrong with either one of these brands. 

[blueyes]

anything you dont have to turn by hand

[Martian]

damanfrgr,i tried to answer you, but my post got sent to equipment, what I posted was I have a 5in. lazer, that I power with a drill-driver, that I bought at harbour freight, for about $30. i get about 20 holes per battery, without alot of out of pocket $  I probably hit new topic instead of replie. ooops!

[damanfrgr]

just curious do you use a DeWalt? I have used a new and an old battery type 18V DeWalt and have not had good luck.  I know guys that have craftsman drills and they seem to do well in cold weather, I just wonder if that would be better.
I recently bought a 10 Jiffy Pro 4, and love it and the idea of not haveing to carry a gas can or haveing gas fumes in the back of my Yukon.  It is my first power auger so my opinion isn't really valid.

use a ryobi 18v turned bout 20 holes toay,work great for me!!!plus caught some nice fish!!!!

[damanfrgr]

I got the 6" Nils Master auger and a Jiffy 8" gas auger at the same time. I got the attachement for the 18V drill and my Nils and I never once used the new Jiffy. Used the Nils in about 11" of ice and had NO problem. If money is an issue then I can recommend the Nils and drill combo. If it isnt buy them both just caus you can :>)

ya that niles of yours is nice toad!!! used mine 1st time today love it thats the way to go for the $$ the auger is nice but the drill attac is the best part!!!got bout 20 holes with one pack good enuff for me...like it fur sure!!!

[Machine]

Thanks for the responses but I like to have at least 100 holes open and was hoping I could get some positive intel on the propane augers.

[michlw39]

I have an Eskimo Mako I got from Glen's Outdoors for $283 and free shipping. You can easily spend double that and I doubt you'd notice a difference in performance.

I'm happy I got the Eskimo and saved a couple hundred bucks.

[damanfrgr]

Thanks for the responses but I like to have at least 100 holes open and was hoping I could get some positive intel on the propane augers.

Im just apoor fisherman, I think i done good son...but if had the funds think i would like a prop auger they seem nice,no warm up,no big smoke ,quiteir...but they are heavyier i hear??

[Threefish]

The propane one is heavier, and im not positive how many holes you can drill on a tank of propane. But no where .what you can on a tank of gas and what ive seen there a little slower.

[terry fish]

1 can of propane=3/4 tank of gas, when the propane tank is warm.

[allcaughtup]

I would buy a gas auger...dont need the most expensive one...get one for about $250.00...will pay for itself your first few times out...you will never miss that money...if you fish alot...drills work good till you run through a couple drills then you coulda put that money into an auger that will last for years.

[carbidemanfishing]

Get the battery powered strikemaster. It is awsome -i used the hell out of it until my healthproblem.

[yard cop]

I have a 20yr. old Jiffy, 1 carb rebuilt 3 years ago. Keep the gas / oil mix fresh it will run great. Great tool!!

[LPiceFishn]

I just bought the new jiffy electric auger this year. It does the job, but, it's heavy and takes a long time to charge. It's a very good substitute for a gas auger for the $. I called the 800 # to get some more info on storing it and the people I talked to seemed to know less about it than I did. I would suggest an elec. auger vs. gas but if your gonna spend the coin i'd say from my own experience check out the ice gators. They are dependable and you don't need to worry about hauling gas out on the lake. Also, much lighter than the jiffys. All in all, you get what you pay for when you buy a pwer auger and I and many others in the Indiana forum will tell you the same. Just my two cents.
                   laters, LP

[damanfrgr]

my drill atcah, works great for me,if I am going to spend anymore $$ I will be buying a one man flip over tub style shanty fur sure!!!

[iceman10]

I just bought the new jiffy electric auger this year. It does the job, but, it's heavy and takes a long time to charge. It's a very good substitute for a gas auger for the $. I called the 800 # to get some more info on storing it and the people I talked to seemed to know less about it than I did. I would suggest an elec. auger vs. gas but if your gonna spend the coin i'd say from my own experience check out the ice gators. They are dependable and you don't need to worry about hauling gas out on the lake. Also, much lighter than the jiffys. All in all, you get what you pay for when you buy a pwer auger and I and many others in the Indiana forum will tell you the same. Just my two cents.
                   laters, LP

LP how many holes can you cut on a charge & how long does it take to charge?I was conviced to buy a Gator ,but after reading all the issues & customer service  i backed off cause thats alot of COIN to be not DRILLIN  !One more question can you run it off a 4-wheeler ?

[brown82]

anything ESKIMO will work good for u easy starting last along long time

[damanfrgr]

eskimo auger,and a Q3 no problems lovem ...but that 18 volt attac is the chit fur sure for 20$$ works great and no more hand cranking thats HUGE!!! but still carry my handle just in case!!

[icecaptain]

I bought a gas strikemaster on craigslist last year.   It runs great and will cuts tons of holes if you want.  I have been satisfied with it.  One tank should last a all day without bringing along a can unless your planning on cutting 200+ holes.

[pzoch]

I've got a Jiffy model 31 made in 1987 still run great and cuts like new.
I have never used a full tank of gas ever and I have drilled a bunch of holes
in a day (50-75).If you can run an auger out of gas in day, you aren't fishing.
Your just drilling holes plain and simple.

[yard cop]

Your right Jiffy 31, a tank of gas goes a long way. many years the 1 gal. mix at the start of the season gets put into something else. Cannot see replacing mine until is shot. I think that will be many years to come.

[damanfrgr]

I've got a Jiffy model 31 made in 1987 still run great and cuts like new.
I have never used a full tank of gas ever and I have drilled a bunch of holes
in a day (50-75).If you can run an auger out of gas in day, you aren't fishing.
Your just drilling holes plain and simple.

and this guy wanted to buy a new one ??His is brand new looking starts right up ,cuts holes like a dream????that guy ?? maybe invest in a nice ice suit instead if i were u pz thats the only thing u need and u would be set right up!!!!!!!!fur sure

[cbtrtbum]

This was my first season owning a power auger and it made a HUGE difference. Since mobility is so crucial to finding fish it really helps to be able to just punch a bunch of holes and then start searching. I bought my auger at the last minute before the season started and it turned out to be one of my favorite pieces of gear. 

[allcaughtup]

my next big purchase will be the ice armor boots...they look a like a snowboard boot...wonder if they are hard to break in...anybody try these boots?

[LPiceFishn]

wussup iceman....sorry didn't get back w/ you yesterday. I don't really know the statistics of the ice gator but I can tell you bout my jiffy. When you first get it your supposed to charge for 3 whole days witch was kind of dissapointing. Mine wili drill about 18 holes thru 2' of ice. A regular charge will take around 12 to 16 hours to charge from dead. It weighs in at around 35 pounds so alot of times i'll just tug it around on my small sled from hole to hole as it sucks to carry on your shoulder thru 2' of snow. You can get an alligator clip attatchment to hook it up to your quad batt.. The jiffy comes with a sealed absorbed glass mat battery and they tell you to remove it if your going to use a quad batt.(diff kind of voltage or somthing)??It seems to drain faster if you drill a bunch of cosecutive holes as oppesed to spreading drilling thruout the day. The gator runs on a lithium ion batt. i think. they are lighter ,charge faster, and i've been told gets a lot more holes on a charge than the jiffy. It is around 100 and sumthin more expensive than the jiffy though. If you wanna check out the jiffy, look on fishusa.com. thats where I got mine. It's bout $75 cheaper than getting it through bass pro and shipping is only $7. Anyway hope this helps.
                      Laters, LP

[yard cop]

Whow, just seems easier to fill the tank with gas/oil,and be good for many outings. Weight , fumes, wear out your good drill?...Replace expensive batterers?? I would save my drill for what I bought it for!