I’m 41, and while still sucking down Prednisone to help an asthmatic get over Pneumonia I’m noticing even when fully healthy dragging 30lbs of auger around sucks.
I’m torn. I have a Clam Drill Plate and Auger, and would look at a Milwaukee Fuel M18 for $200 to drive it at around 12lbs
For $300 get a Propane Auger on sale today
Or for $399 grab a Lithium Lazer at Scheels. (Semi worried about fires, has this been addressed?)
SM did a recall a season and half ago in the Li Lazer due to the fire. They were running the current through a switch that was under-rated. They now run the current through a relay activated by the switch. I have not heard of any issues from the “new gen”.
Who has propane augers for $300 today?
I’ve heard both bad and good about propane. I have heard that they work great for only a couple of years then they start to not work so good. They also don’t have the power (I’ve heard) that gas augers do.
Dicks has 25% off everything. Both the Jiffy 4 Lite and I believe the Eskimo come in around $300-$325
not interested in an ion? at 22 lbs its very light and easy to work with. they are also available today on sale 25% off through dicks.
not interested in an ion? at 22 lbs its very light and easy to work with. they are also available today on sale 25% off through dicks.
+1
I for whatever reason have no interest in an Ion. It seems the batteries are more susceptible to cold and they seem to cut slow.
I would do a Lithium Lazer or the Milwaukee Fuel + K Drill before I did one of those but at $400 its a killer price with reverse today
I’ve owned an Ion for 3 seasons now, never an issue…I have the $20 Ion Battery case, but a $5 wallyworld insulated lunch box would do the same thing…
Since you already have the plate and auger I would jump om the Fuel….At that price you could add extra batteries and have a heck of a drill…
I too are a fan of the ion cuts faster than a friends strikemaster electric and faster and lighter than gas augers that I have used
Nils-light, fast, dependable, no expensive battery to replace-few fumes at a 80;1 mix. Get the shorter shaft and skip the power point. Good old gasoline has 10x the power per lb. as the very best battery in the world.
I’m 41, and while still sucking down Prednisone to help an asthmatic get over Pneumonia I’m noticing even when fully healthy dragging 30lbs of auger around sucks.
I’m torn. I have a Clam Drill Plate and Auger, and would look at a Milwaukee Fuel M18 for $200 to drive it at around 12lbs
For $300 get a Propane Auger on sale today
Or for $399 grab a Lithium Lazer at Scheels. (Semi worried about fires, has this been addressed?)
This will be my 5th season with a 10 inch propane with no problems or degredation.
Rusty – Is your propane an Eskimo or a Jiffy?
Bob,
I know SM had some problems with their switches the first year. What other reasons are they considered junk compared to all other electric augers. Their lazer blades have always been popular on most of their gas augers. What personal experience have you had with them? My buddy has one and has worked flawlessly.
Rusty – Is your propane an Eskimo or a Jiffy?
I have a Jiffy Pro 4 that I bought at the end of the first year they came out. Had to replace the hose last year. Only problem I’ve had.
I will say the propane has tons of power. You touch the throttle and it’s instant. Mine I bought off of Jiffy ‘ s website as a demo used by prostaff and gone through by factory. Zero issues with it last year. Love the instant start also 2 pulls Max.
Doug, thanks for starting this thread! I’ve been waiting to buy my new propane auger ’til after I had my shopping done for everybody else, but this deal was too good to pass up! Thanks again for the heads-up! $325 OTD for the Jiffy Lite propane auger from Dicks. Merry Christmas to me!
You will love it! That’s what Pete Maina told me after I called him to ask what he thought of the unit. He said he used it 95 percent of the time and the pro 4 the other 5. He ran the first demo they came out with. Said he wouldn’t have his face on the commercial if it wasn’t awesome. You got a good deal.
If a heavy auger is a turnoff to you, are the propane augers really much, if any, lighter? I have used a jiffy propane and it seemed like a heavy warhorse to me. It started fine, cut well, etc, (except when very outside and the propane bottle was also very cold), but it seemed to be heavy. I admit it ran well, and the lack of exhaust fumes was nice, but to justify one due to weight seems like a stretch to me.
Fwiw – after ever increasing neck and back issues, I broke down and bought a k-drill this yr. I am curious to see if it lives up to its reputation. I hope so. My Eskimo Z51 10″ will be hitting the auction block shortly.
T
Not really. The electrics go from 22-24lbs. Propanes 26-30
That K Drill may be calling my name at 12lbs Would make a world of difference. Super tempted today but will be going the Milwaukee Fuel or Ridgid X4 route!
I have no experience with the new rigid models, but I did have a five tool kit from them 6-7 years ago. The tools seemed a lot better quality than the top 3(makita,dewalt,milwaukee) but, I did have a lot of problems with my batteries not charging when too hot, and one went bad with in the first year.
Not really. The electrics go from 22-24lbs. Propanes 26-30
That K Drill may be calling my name at 12lbs Would make a world of difference. Super tempted today but will be going the Milwaukee Fuel or Ridgid X4 route!
quick question, how many holes will you get from a Milwaukee/ridgid battery in 12″-15″ of ice with a 6″ bit (ball park)
I think with 6″ about 40 on a 4ah or 5ah battery believe it or not
The key is a 6″ hole. Even Milwaukees will crap out pushing an 8″ after a year is my understanding
The key is a 6″ hole. Even Milwaukees will crap out pushing an 8″ after a year is my understanding
Clam came out with a gearbox adapter for the plate that’s supposed to reduce the torque needed to power an 8″ bit…..
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Doug Larsen wrote:</div>
The key is a 6″ hole. Even Milwaukees will crap out pushing an 8″ after a year is my understandingClam came out with a gearbox adapter for the plate that’s supposed to reduce the torque needed to power an 8″ bit…..
Geez…next thing you know they’ll be mounting gas powered engines to these things.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mudshark wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Doug Larsen wrote:</div>
The key is a 6″ hole. Even Milwaukees will crap out pushing an 8″ after a year is my understandingClam came out with a gearbox adapter for the plate that’s supposed to reduce the torque needed to power an 8″ bit…..
Geez…next thing you know they’ll be mounting gas powered engines to these things.
I will never touch gas again. I fish high elevation (9000+) lakes and gas augers struggle way too much at that elevation even when properly tuned. I started out with a strikemaster electra lazer and it was better than gas but still just ok. Sold it and bought a lithium lazer last season and am super convinced!!! I drilled over 50 holes in 2′ of ice and still had juice to keep going. Best part is I don’t have to throw my shoulder out pulling on a rope only to have the auger still not start. Electric gets my vote time and time again. Havent messed with ions personally but watch g various youtube videos the lithium lazer beats the ion in cutting speed
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