Looking for a new auger

[rowdyredneck]

Once again I'm looking for a new power auger. Last year around this time I bought a new Jiffy model 34 STX Pro. I thought I was getting a decent auger based on the research I had done and looking over the display models. First disappointment came when I opened the box. Jiffy advertises "Made in USA" but the engine had a sticker that says made in China. I guess the gear boxes are still made here, but still...kinda felt I was being misled. First time I took it out on the ice it started right up, but as soon as I hit the throttle the only thing it would do was make a jingling sound from the gear box; the auger would not even turn. I decided I didn't want to take any more chances with it so I was able to return it to Cabela's for a full refund.

So, that leaves me looking at either a Strike Master or Eskimo. As I understand both models have Chinese engines as well, so apparently there's no way around that issue. One thing that worries me on the Strike Master is the plastic handles. Obviously lighter weight, but how brittle do they become in cold weather and what happens if it gets dropped on the ice? I know very little about the Eskimo models. How do the warranties compare on these two brands? I'd like to stay with the chipper type blade the Jiffy had too....
Any suggestions? I know I'll probably get equal support for both brands, but I'd like to hear some personal experiences, pros and cons of each model. I have a Cabela's discount promotion that ends next weekend so I could save about $85 if I buy it by then. Thanks  

[Junior58]

Strikemaster uses the Solo engine, which is German. I also went through the "deciding phase" and went with the Strikemaster Electra Lazer. It's in the other thread "gas or electric" below in this forum. I have been hearing bad things about the new Jiffies as well.

[xcr440]

I bought my eskimo mako 2 years ago. I drill 200+ holes in a season. I have had no issue with it. Has a primer and choke. 2-5 squirts of the primer and 2 pulls at most and it is running. You can start drilling right after it fires. It needs no warm up time. I really like the serrated blades and the starting point. It doesn't wander a bit. Only issue is the blades may freeze up a bit if you don't spin the auger a bit after your done drilling holes. Steel handles rubber coated. Only plastic on it is around the muffler. Doesn't blow ice and water on your pant legs like a jiffy. I have no experience with a strike master.
Any more questions on a eskimo just ask.

[lake snake]

 Nils Master. The Tanaka engine runs great and the cutting head kicks butt.

[rowdyredneck]

Strikemaster uses the Solo engine, which is German.

Are they actually built in Germany though? I heard once they were German designed but actually built in China, so I'm not sure. I know we live in a world where its hard to find something not made overseas, but Chinese stuff has never impressed me with quality and durability.

[Ice Hopper]

German engineered but built in China...at least Tanaka is a gas engine built in Japan and it does scream. But I'm an Ice Gator drive guy with a Nils drill.  Great gas free combo.

[rowdyredneck]

After much research and consideration, I think I'm going to get a Nils hand auger. Way I see it, I don't drill that many holes per outing. I figure the Nils will be a night and day difference between my current Laser hand auger. Drilling through 2' of ice with that thing was exhausting work. I'm not impressed with either the Eskimo or Strikemaster power augers; I want something that will last for many years. I'm still undecided whether to buy the powerhead along with it right away, or if I should try it for a year first. Thing is, I have a discount coupon from Cabela's good for $100 off a $500 purchase which expires this weekend, plus another $150 card that expires in January. That would bring the price of the combo unit down from $600 to $350. Hmmm

[fishlessman]

if your not buying it with the power head, the regular nils hand auger has a different mount that only accepts the handle, not a power head. fish 307 last year sold me the hand version with the powerhead mounting. the nils cuts so fast by hand its hard for me to imagine how fast with the power head. the trick is to just spin it, you dont have to push down

[rowdyredneck]

I looked at fish307 and the picture of their auger looks different than Cabela's. Here's their version (which is out of stock)
http://www.fish307.com/nilsmasterhandaugers.aspx

And here's the one Cabela's has:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Ice-Fishing/Ice-Augers|/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104395680/Nils-Master-High-Velocity-Hand-Auger/1089564.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-ice-fishing-ice-augers%2F_%2FN-1100504%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104395680
Does Cabela's model already have the power head adapter?

[stumper]

Not sure,but the pic from fish 307 might be an older model.Cabelas is the powerhead version.

[fishlessman]

the one in the cabellas pic is the right one, fish307 had both last year or when i called they took the hand auger out of the powered auger box.

[Allen66]

Two of my buddies have Strikemaster, both have broken handles.

[ICE KID]

if your not buying it with the power head, the regular nils hand auger has a different mount that only accepts the handle, not a power head. fish 307 last year sold me the hand version with the powerhead mounting. the nils cuts so fast by hand its hard for me to imagine how fast with the power head. the trick is to just spin it, you dont have to push down

You should in fact never push down on the auger, the first time me and the old man went out for the season we brought our brand new nil's hand auger, I drilled 10 holes through a foot of ice as easy as could be without ever pushing down, my dad used it for 1/2 a hole befor it just started to spin in the hole, guess pushing down on it causes it to mess up the blade angle

[Tainterslayer]

Maybe check the bolt that holes on the head? I know it comes apart so maybe it somehow shifted when he pushed down on it. I find it hard to believe that the actual cutting blade was bent unless he really forced it badly.

[rowdyredneck]

Thought I'd give everyone an update. I bought the Nils last fall but never had a chance to really put it to the test until today. All I can say is wow...I cut through 20" of ice in about 35-40 seconds. I sat inside my tent laughing as I timed several guys around me drilling with their gas power augers. I timed it from the second they hit the throttle until they broke through the ice and none of them did it in less than one minute. I can't even imagine how fast this thing would cut with the powerhead, don't really see any need for it after seeing how well it performs. Another thing I like is how smoothly it cuts; it doesn't catch on the ice when breaking through. I was a little fatigued after drilling four holes in a row without a break, but there's no way I could have done it that quickly with my old hand auger.

[esox_magnum]

21" of ice today in 8 seconds with the Tanaka and 3 year old blades.

[rowdyredneck]

Wow...unreal. Wish I had bought one of these years ago.

[natedogg18]

Its sucks you had troubles with your new Jiffy.  I have the same model STX Pro 2 3HP 10inch.  It is a great machine and cuts and runs extremely well.  Ive owned just about every brand of auger there is and I love the new jiffy.

[Youcanttuna Fish]

Thought I'd give everyone an update. I bought the Nils last fall but never had a chance to really put it to the test until today. All I can say is wow...I cut through 20" of ice in about 35-40 seconds. I sat inside my tent laughing as I timed several guys around me drilling with their gas power augers. I timed it from the second they hit the throttle until they broke through the ice and none of them did it in less than one minute. I can't even imagine how fast this thing would cut with the powerhead, don't really see any need for it after seeing how well it performs. Another thing I like is how smoothly it cuts; it doesn't catch on the ice when breaking through. I was a little fatigued after drilling four holes in a row without a break, but there's no way I could have done it that quickly with my old hand auger.

I can guarantee if it took me a minute to drill a hole in 20" of ice, the auger would be going in as soon as the hole was done!

[esox_magnum]

I can guarantee if it took me a minute to drill a hole in 20" of ice, the auger would be going in as soon as the hole was done!

 I would say 1 out of every 25 power augers on my lakes cant cut 20" in the same time that an 8" Nils will do by hand. Never tried mine by hand on anything over about 4". I time many guys every time out taking well over 1 minut to puch  hole sometimes with 2 guys pushing.....