Gas Powered Ice Auger

[1775prov]

I'm finally breaking down and getting rid of my hand auger. I am leaning towards a Jiffy Legend, but I have a stupid question. I see it comes in 8,9 & 10" bit sizes. Which one should I get and why? Thanks-EB

[Eyecrosser]

have you looked at the strikemaster laser? Great machine, cuts like warm butter. I personally perfer the 8". I think the bigger holes let in too much light, and are more prone to swallow anything that hits the floor.

[Northern Manitoban]

Depending on what your fishing for.Myself i have an 8 inch jiffy i fish alot for walleye's,but when i'm fishing for lakers and big Rainbows i like using my friends 10 inch.I find it nice having the 10 inch easier to bring the fish in the hole when they are scrapping,but with the larger hole they can turn around in the hole also.and for viewing in a shack or tent the 10 inch is awesome just like watching t.v.As for to much light? don't understand that one?FISH ON.

[Phil T.]

Just how much of a hurry are you in? The 2hp augers are also available with an 8" auger. If you're shopping at a local tackle store, they may let you try carrying that 3hp Jiffy down the block and back. Then carry the smaller 2hp version. I wish now I'd bought the smaller, lighter model. In fact, unless you're fishing for big pike, a 6" hole is plenty, and weighs ever less. Of course, if a snowmobile, ATV, or pickup is going to do all the carrying for you, what do you care how much it weighs?

[AquaMan]

Bigger is not better in this case unless you are working from a permanent house with 4-6 holes that you can drive to...or...you have been lifting weights for a long time and have the endurance of a Clydesdale.

The 10" auger is heavy and cumbersome if you plan on drilling lots of holes in a day, but the large holes will not freeze closed as fast as the 8" either. The 10" will sometimes prove difficult in a house due to the hole's proximity to the wall or the size of the cut out in the floor. Also, because a 10" typically requires more torque, you might have to deal with a larger motor on top.

I have used the 8" for 10 years and got used to that. A buddy bought a 9" auger the fit my Jiffy and we tried that last year. It was nice to have the extra inch in really cold weather and the weight was not that much more but it was a tish heavier.

Personally, if I were to buy a brand new rig, I would go for the 9" It splits the difference and would be more versatile in the long run.

IMHO.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Grey Wolf]

I agree, if you are carrying it, the 10" is awfully heavy. However I really like my 10", and couldnt imagine fishing out of a smaller hole.

[Eyesrfn]

I have a 3HP jiffy with a 9" bit. we fish a lot of tip-ups and i like the 9" for a couple of reason, first that the holes don't freeze in as fast and second the tip-ups that we use set across the hole real good. This jiffy has never failed to start with more than a couple of pulls even in cold weather. Eyesrfn

[THE BAIT SHOP GUY]

I've been running the 2hp Jiffey legend with the 9 inch blade for the last 6 or 7 years and couldn't be any happier. The padded handles on the legend series are a big plus. It may take slightly longer to drill a hole than the 3hp model, but at about 10 pounds less I can live with it. Lets face it, no matter how long it takes, It's still faster than drilling by hand! I can't say I've noticed a big difference in performance since they've added the de-icer armor. The teflon coating is supposed to make it easier for the drill bit to shed the ice that forms after drilling a hole. It may help in colder areas like Minnesota but it doesn't get THAT cold in northern Michigan. It does look nice, so for the extra 10 bucks I got it. I did have one customer that had problems with the hex nut coming lose where it held the coated part to the rest of the bit. I've never had a problem with it - just something to keep an eye on. That's another thing, IF you do have problems with your Jiffy it's easy to find parts and get repair work done. Had lots of people come in that have had problems with strikemasters and eskimos. Even tho the powerheads are made by the same company for all of them, they use a lot more plastic parts on the other brands. Thats why they're usually a little cheaper. Spend a little more and get the Jiffy, you won't be sorry you did.
CHRIS WAHL
www.baydenoc.com/bayviewsports

[Chad]

I have a 10" 3hp lazer Mag. I got for Christmas a couple of years ago.

The machine is great but if I were to buy one now I would choose and 8" 2hp. The 3hp is pretty heavy and the 10" holes are a little dangerous. I dont know how many times someone has stepped into the hole and went down to their cratch before hitting the ice. Also, dangerous for kids to fall into.

an 8" will be plenty big to get 99% of your fish thru. The smaller hole prevents fish from turning in the hole also. I have a buddie that goes with a 6".

Go with an 8" and a 2hp.

[rngrfshm]

I just bought the 2hp Strikemaster Lazer Mag ultra 3 blade design. I used to have the Jiffy 3hp 10" Model 31 50th Aniversary but the unit was just way to heavy for me. I put the Jiffy on my scale and it read 40lbs. I put the 2hp on the scale and it said 27lbs. There is alot of difference on the weight, but I have not tried it yet so performance I cannot give yet at this time for reports. I will let you know how it goes. Any of the 2hp models would be the way to go in the 8" or 9" design like the previous posts state. My 10" was nice for not freezing up right away if you can handle the weight. I have arthritis so the weight is a factor for me.

[1775prov]

Thanks alot to all who replied, I really appreciate the input, I made me think of everything I had to consider. I bought my new auger last night, a Strikemaster Lazer Mag Ultra. It's 2 hp, but uses a three blade design to SUPPOSEDLY really punch holes quickly, at a really low overall auger weight. I also picked up one of those Ready Rig zip up storage sacks that you put around your auger for transport. I will report on how this thing works as soon as we get some ice here. Now as long as I can get the empty box thrown away before my wife finds it!!! Thanks-EB