Augers and your input?

[BUCKSKI]

Looking for a gas auger this year and looking for people's input on makes and models.
I have a 10 inch bit already I use on a old post hole digger but its Heavy, loooking to lighten up the motor& shaft with a new purchase. Lighter the better and probably a 6-7 inch auger.
Thanks BUCK!

[walleyechaser]

You want light, you want better, you want a Nilsmaster, end of story. At 21lbs it's the lightest fastest power auger available and a full 7 pounds lighter than a Strikemaster Lazer Mag Xpress which is your 2nd best choice in that category plus it has a Tanaka powerhead.  I've tried em both by the way and I own the nilsmaster.  I also have an Eskimo Barracuda 8" and it just plain sucks!  Very heavy, slow and a waste of money.  Eskimo power auger products SUCK!!  That's my auger input for the day

what do you need an 8" auger for?   Are you secretly fishing with 

[crowkiller]

i use an 8" auger

[molsonport]

slipbob i hope not i just got the one i ordered today. should i send it back before i go by the oil for it!!!

[crowkiller]

slipbob i hope not i just got the one i ordered today. should i send it back before i go by the oil for it!!!

i would send it back mine lasted maybe 3 outings before the clicker broke

[kerosenecounty17]

I own a Jiffy Legend.  VERY generous Christmas present from mom and pop.  Absolutely hate it.  Cold-blooded, heavy piece of crap.  It'll be gone before ice-up this fall and replaced with a Nills if I can manage to swing it. 

kc17

[Byron/PA]

Well, I run a Jiffy STX, 2hp with an 8inch bit and love it.
Is it the lightest one available? Nope. But it's dependable, smooth cutting and gets minimal ice build-up on the bit. Also has a three year waranty against the blades going dull. I'll let you know what I think about that in three years .

[Icenutter]

I'm with Byron.  I have a Jiffy Stealth 8 inch 2 hp and it weighs about 36 pounds.  It's not the lightest auger, but for such a big purchase I want something that is going to last.  There's no plastic on this baby and it cuts like butta.

[esox slayer]

I run with a Strikemaster lazer mag XL-3000, 10 inch.

It's heavy, but it cuts and makes short work of thick ice.  I use it more for tip up fishing than I do jigging, once I get the traps set in I'm usually there for the day.....I'll drill some holes around the tipups, but I don't chase all over lakes looking for pannies like many here do so weight is not a big consideration for me.

[ifishhi]

i have a jiffy 10"model 30 and wouldn't change it for anything 

[muskie_huntre]

I've got two augers in one.  Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express, with 8 and 10 inch lower auger units.  I use the 8" for almost all inland lake applications.  I break out the 10" for Lake Erie walleye, and my trips to the Upper Peninsula for Lake Michigan walleye and pike, and Lake Superior trout and salmon.  This will be the sixth season coming up, and has been a very reliable unit. 

To some the 10" might be a little overkill for walleye, but it comes in handy when trying to get a fish + size 7, 9 or 11 jiggin rap started up the hole and kicking the flasher out of the hole.

Good luck on your choices

[sbfPA_Mike]

Muskie huntre,

If you are replying to Buckski's post, just click the reply down at the bottom of that thread.

Mike

BTW, I think that is a great way to go. 2 different blades is smart.

[archbishop]

just one with a cup holder so i can borrow it and drill through the ice without spilling my beer

[rondog]

Nilsmaster without a doubt.I've had all kinds of power augers some better then others but nothing cuts as fast or is as light

[ryan johnson]

the best auger you can get and trust me I've tried them all is the husqvarna  that I own.. A little pricey but the best auger in my opinion out there..just put in on the scale,,It weighs 21.5 poundswith my 8" flight..the motor is really unbeleivable,revs out at 12,000 rpm. but is still super quiet...have had people come up to me ,and ask me if it was electric...lol.. it actually has a cadalitic converter on it
 
with out the shaft on it and no gas it weighs in at 11.7 pounds and the chainsaw motor will run upside down...
I'll start it and let it idle for 10 minutes just laying on the ground I'ts awsome..only draw back is it will cost you
850$-950$

[grumpymoe]

saw it in action at the fishathon for cancercare last march...Ryan is absolutely correct....that machine runs sooo quiet, it does indeed sound like an electric motor......Grump

[Higgy]

the best auger you can get and trust me I've tried them all is the husqvarna  that I own.. A little pricey but the best auger in my opinion out there..just put in on the scale,,It weighs 21.5 poundswith my 8" flight..the motor is really unbeleivable,revs out at 12,000 rpm. but is still super quiet...have had people come up to me ,and ask me if it was electric...lol.. it actually has a cadalitic converter on it
 
with out the shaft on it and no gas it weighs in at 11.7 pounds and the chainsaw motor will run upside down...
I'll start it and let it idle for 10 minutes just laying on the ground I'ts awsome..only draw back is it will cost you
850$-950$

That is some serious money for an auger, Ryan. I'm no cheapskate, but that is twice the price of a Jiffy. Where did you buy yours?

[Phoenix]

Without a doubt the Nils Master is the way to go! Get one and you will never be sorry. One huge benefit (at least to me) is that you can use it as either a manual or gas powered auger. Not much ice and you feel like drilling holes by arm power? Nothing cuts better and easier than the Nils. Later in the season and you've had enough exercise? Slap on the powerhead and drill through three feet of ice like it wasn't even there.

Yes, they cost a little more than the Jiffy, Eskimo, etc. but they're well worth it.

[Higgy]

I will probably get an 8" Nils then. I read about the Husky, and I have Husky saws but DANG! Thats a boatload of cash for an auger! I just cant get over it. I cant get over it because I want one, hehe!

[1TIGGER]

I run with a Strikemaster lazer mag XL-3000, 10 inch.

It's heavy, but it cuts and makes short work of thick ice.  I use it more for tip up fishing than I do jigging, once I get the traps set in I'm usually there for the day.....I'll drill some holes around the tipups, but I don't chase all over lakes looking for pannies like many here do so weight is not a big consideration for me.

I use the same thing for the same reasons !
I know a lot of people complain about the hole size but like any sport watch what your doing . BUT I wont get into that    thats for another thread on another day !

[muskie_huntre]

Mike,

Not sure how I managed that one, thought I started out with hitting reply.  I goofed somewhere though.

Thanks on the "idea".  Originally it started out as a 10" auger,  and knew that was overkill  for the panfish and a lot of inland fishing.  First thought was to go with a 7", but I picked the auger up at the end of the season  four or five years ago, there was really good ice that yr, and they were sold out.  Knew I didnt want the six inch, so the 8 was a good choice.  Much easier to find replacement blades too.

[BUCKSKI]

Thanks for the input, kinda impressed with the husky, have a chain saw and lawn mower but never seen the auger. Also know a sales rep for the company. PS my brother have the weed whacker and have used his with the circular blade for tree clearing and its a scary machine that runs strong.
Will do some research and let ya know what I came up with.

[dkfry]

I have a Jiffy 2hp stealth with 9" and 6" drills. The blades are very tough and can easily be sharpened with a stone or diamond file. Before spending the money on a Nils make sure you will not be drilling through any ice with sand dirt or other debris in it because the head will be ruined in a hurry. Can't resharpen the Nils and a new head will cost around $50.00+. Guard the Nils head with your life cause if you bump it wrong its done for. Good luck.