Strike-lite II, Tell me about yours

[burty12]

Hey guys I'm looking in to buying a gas powered auger this season, leaning towards the Strike-lite II by Strikemaster.  looking for some feedback on the unit, pros and cons, how well is it in the cold -20C to -30C? is it work the money? problems? how well do the perform in 3 to 4 Feet of ice? and so on.....

Thanks

Mark

[ds]

I bought one last year at the Syracuse show,my first power auger. I was torn between that and the propane Jiffy but Im not sorry with my choice. Its alot lighter so if you're pulling your stuff thats a factor. The coldest day I used it was probably around 5 and it started fine  2 or 3 pulls leave on 1/2 choke for a bit like anything. Its real good on gas,I drilled about 50 holes 1 day through 2' and used way less than 1/4 tank and its quiet. As far as -30 and 4' of ice you will have to find somebody further north to advise you on that but for me after 1 season I'm happy with it. Definately beats cranking on the oid Mora.

[burty12]

Thanks for the reply DS!

[esox_magnum]

My buddy has a Nils bit on his Strikelite, still no competion for my Nils Master though... I got him both on speed and weight....

[steelyhead17]

hey esox just wondering how your buddy adapted the nils to his strikelight??

[4ssss]

I love my Strikelight. No stink, light, and cuts real well.  I had it up on Indian Lake in NY at 30 below, with ice as thick as the length of the auger, and though it took a little to warm up it cut holes all day. I am going to replace the auger with a chipper blade though, the blade that came with it is a little too agressive for me to handle when it starts to break thru. But that's just me fat and old.

[esox_magnum]

hey esox just wondering how your buddy adapted the nils to his strikelight??

 He made one I think... About 5 pounds difference between his and mine, but I can't remember if he has the 42 or 48" shaft, I have the 48". Speed wise on a 5 hole drill I'm done, he is still on hole 3....No smoke with mine either running a 80:1 synthetic mix, a tank will last you several outings...

[burty12]

anyone own one living in a more challenging environment for the auger to operate? 

[slipperybob]

I can only tell you about my Strikelite.  When it got really cold to like 0F to -20F, mine needs a warm up time like about 2 minutes to operate smoothly.  It will sometimes shut off in idle so I have to restart.  When it gets to like over 30 inches of ice, the snythetic handle kind of flex under the weight of the ice chips so you have to pop the drill bit up and down to clear the ice chips.  I'm running a 9 inch steel drill bit now.