So it seems that an eight inch auger is all I need for my new fish house. Now it’s about getting a gas or electric? New or used? Ice fishing isn’t something I done very often and don’t see myself doing much more than drilling holes in the house and some outside for a tip-up.
Strikemaster electric all the way. No fumes and they cut great.
DT
(FYI I have no knowledge on electric models.)
If your going to use it inside a house 90% of the time or more there is no question to go with propane. Period. Cleaner, easier, Next to no fumes and quieter. I would look at the Jiffy Propane models, and I wouldn’t pay more for the newer “lightweight” version for an in house only application. The lighter version will cut slower and costs more.
I am currently looking for an all around auger, mostly on the move drilling and searching. I was really sold on the propane augers but decided I wanted the lighter weight and faster cutting of a strikemaster gas unit.
I second the Jiffy propane. Bought one last year and man does it cut fast. Starts at 5 below in one to two pulls. Never fiddling with chokes. Love it. Clean, neat but a little heavy. I do find the heavier weight helps drill the hole though. I never have to put downward pressure on the unit. Just hang on and the hole is cut before you know it.
So it seems that an eight inch auger is all I need for my new fish house. Now it’s about getting a gas or electric? New or used? Ice fishing isn’t something I done very often and don’t see myself doing much more than drilling holes in the house and some outside for a tip-up.
What did you ever buy for a generator?
WS
For a generator I’ve decided to take the advice of everyone here and go with a Honda, so far 899.00 plus tax is the best deal I’ve found. Hoping that maybe better deal comes around before the season starts.
Vern, since you’ll be in the shack most of the time I’d say electric is the way to go. I had a chance to try the new Strikemaster Lithium at Joe’s ice fishing event this weekend and it blew me away at the performance for an electric auger. It basically weighs the same the Honda 4-stroke and cuts way faster than any electric I’ve ever seen. It will definitely be the next auger purchase I make.
Will
I had the chance to run the Strikemaster Lithium Lazer a few times last winter and I’m very impressed. It cuts like a banshee, and I believe gets 56 holes in 24″ of ice, and that’s conservative. Like Will said, if you’re in the shack a lot the cold won’t affect the battery. If you were doing a lot of run and gunning outside in -20 it’s hard to beat gas in that case.
The two aspects that sell it for me are no fumes, and it cuts like a gas auger, not electric.
Here is a video where the Lithium Lazer is stacked up against the ION and the Jiffy Propane.
My only concern is how long the battery will last at $250 a pop. I think it is only warranted for 1 Year.
Mine are closer to $150 but I’m going on the 3rd year now with this one. Even if I had to buy one every year I would still go electric in a permanent house.
So what are the up and down sides of something like this? A power drill and auger shafts?
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So what are the up and down sides of something like this? A power drill and auger shafts?
Most of the guys using electric drills as a power supply are turning 5 and 6 inch bits and fish areas where they’re punching holes in ice measured in inches, not feet. If you’re going to have a permanent ice shack on Mille Lacs where 30+ inches of ice is an every year deal and you want to run a 8″, maybe even 10″ bit, the handheld drill route is going to be severely underpowered in my opinion.
I do know a lot of guys like those handhelds when they’re fishing panfish in areas that don’t usually see a lot of ice cover.
James, thanks. So much to learn, so much fun doing it.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Buzz wrote:</div>
So what are the up and down sides of something like this? A power drill and auger shafts?Most of the guys using electric drills as a power supply are turning 5 and 6 inch bits and fish areas where they’re punching holes in ice measured in inches, not feet. If you’re going to have a permanent ice shack on Mille Lacs where 30+ inches of ice is an every year deal and you want to run a 8″, maybe even 10″ bit, the handheld drill route is going to be severely underpowered in my opinion.
I do know a lot of guys like those handhelds when they’re fishing panfish in areas that don’t usually see a lot of ice cover.
James is right on this one. I use my 18v cordless almost exclusively (with great success)on ice up to 15″ inches or so but after that I break out the old gas beast. I move a lot and drill a lot of holes, so I stay light weight/mobile as long as I can…if you’re shacking it and for the most part not drilling a ton of holes, you won’t regret the other power auger suggestions. Good luck out there!
So guys…who wants to send Buzz and I new augers to demo this winter??? 
I just heard from Thorne Bros that a NEW “High Compression” Propane model is being released this year from Eskimo. Just FYI
If your going to use it inside a house 90% of the time or more there is no question to go with propane. Period. Cleaner, easier, Next to no fumes and quieter. I would look at the Jiffy Propane models
“Next to no fumes” I’d be real real careful with this statement. Propane generates carbon monoxide fumes, an odorless poisonous gas.
I’d go with electric for an inhouse application. The other option is a stinky 2 cycle auger which stinks up the house so bad you are forced to open the door(s) for fresh air. (at least you will know your being poisoned.)
Ben, thanks for posting the auger wars video, I have been waiting to see the Lithium Lazer in action and that video just about sums it up… holy cow that thing cuts fast!
I second the Jiffy propane. Bought one last year and man does it cut fast. Starts at 5 below in one to two pulls. Never fiddling with chokes. Love it. Clean, neat but a little heavy. I do find the heavier weight helps drill the hole though. I never have to put downward pressure on the unit. Just hang on and the hole is cut before you know it.
You should not put downward pressure on auger, no need to do so.
NO DOUBT !
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I’ll third the jiffy propane. Bought it a year and a half ago and it cuts fast. What I like about it is I used only one propane tank all last year and I punched millions of holes. I just replaced the propane tank three days ago when I was fishing.
Go with an ION
I got one last year, LOVED IT!!
id go with the jiffy propane you can cut hundreds of holes on one tank they start on one pull and r quiet
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