Ice Augers

I figure its time to start thinking about a new auger. My current one is over 20 yrs old and quit running on my last day out last year. So, rather than another repair, I’m going to replace.
I need interchangeable auger sizes for 6″ and 10″, good blade design that doesn’t need to be sharpened every 20 holes, starts no matter how crappy it is out, very good bar stock for the auger so it can handle 20 yrs of use, and not cost as much as my wife

what do you like and why?

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I figure its time to start thinking about a new auger. My current one is over 20 yrs old and quit running on my last day out last year. So, rather than another repair, I’m going to replace.

I need interchangeable auger sizes for 6″ and 10″, good blade design that doesn’t need to be sharpened every 20 holes, starts no matter how crappy it is out, very good bar stock for the auger so it can handle 20 yrs of use, and not cost as much as my wife

what do you like and why?

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New or used? Reason I ask is very few people will have any experience with the new augers offered by Strikemaster or Jiffy for the upcoming ice seasons as both companies have had to completely redesign their lineups when Techumseh stopped making motors for augers last winter.

If you want a new auger… the solo from Strikemaster is incredible. I used it most all of last winter in a demo / testing capacity and it is quite the machine. It uses a German powerhead and is available in a 2, 2.5 and 3 HP variation all of which weigh nearly the exact same so there’s no weight penalty for the extra ponies. For that reason I have a 3 HP Solo sitting in my garage right now. As always all Strikemaster auger bits are interchangeable with all their power heads.

I cannot comment on what Jiffy will offer as they’ve been very quiet about what they plan to release and they’ve not updated their website YET with their product line for the upcoming ice fishing season.

I’m sure you’ll get a bunch of different responses here, but I’ve had great luck with StrikeMaster augers. I’ve had the same 8″ StrikeMaster auger for over 10 years and I drill a ton of holes, I’d say conservatively somewhere between 15-20 thousand holes in that time. It’s still ran great, so I sold it to a good friend of mine. He loves it. This year I’m going to get the new Solo. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the new power head so I can’t wait to get it out on the ice.

Also, the blades stay very sharp. I only had to change blades three times in that 10 years I had it. I can’t say one bad thing about them.

Not to keep going on and on, but their customer service is great! I never needed it but I brought a friends auger down to the factory because he dropped it and broke the handle. They fixed it right there in a couple minutes. Great company, I wish more companies were like this.

I am thinking new, but not oposed to looking at a quality used one. My old one was a Strikemaster 2hp with a Techumseh. Milemark714 can confirm the thousands of holes we drillled over the last 20+ years chasing perch on Mendota and elsewhere. I think my wife paid about $95.00 at Shopko when she bought it as a birthday gift for me. LOL I’m sure they cost a little more than that now

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I am thinking new, but not oposed to looking at a quality used one. My old one was a Strikemaster 2hp with a Techumseh. Milemark714 can confirm the thousands of holes we drillled over the last 20+ years chasing perch on Mendota and elsewhere. I think my wife paid about $95.00 at Shopko when she bought it as a birthday gift for me. LOL I’m sure they cost a little more than that now

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1000s of holes is an understatement,ya more than got your moneys worth with that one.I think that drill was 89.00 back then

Let me know on what you plan on going with,I will be getting one myself,more likely than not a Strikemaster.The last few Jiffys were iffy.Sounds like the Strikemaster solo is the way to go.Lot’s of good reviews on here.

I’ve only run the Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express & 224 models. I’ve always had the 2hp motor in both 8 and 10 inch lazer bits. Been using once since they first came out with the lazer technology. Can’t speak to the Jiffy, haven’t run any of their new technology. Watch the classifieds, I’m guessing there will be a few of us with fairly new/used augers looking to upgrade this year.