Jiffy Auger Problems

[Rigs]

Hello All!
Recently a friend of mine borrowed me his Jiffy 30 to use fishin'. He hadn't used it in about 5 years so after we drained the gas, cleaned the carb, float bowl, and the plug, she fired on the first pull.

Here's the kicker....in ice of about 12-13", she would stop cuttin' just as we broke into water. I made sure to lift every so often while cuttin' to clean out the shavings. Is this possibly a clutch problem, or maybe just time to change the blade?

He said he probably never drilled more than 20-30 holes with it in all his ice fishin.

Thanks in advance,
Rigs

[REW]

You may not have any problems at all. It might simply be the nature of your particular auger.


Depending on the design of the cutting blade or blades, many augers will jam as they break through the ice. This happens, because in most cases the auger is never absolutely straght. Also, in most cases, the ice is not absolutely smooth on the bottom. i.e. in the case of the bottom of the hole, it is quite likely that the ice may be a bit thicker on one side of the hole as compared to the opposite side of the hole.

If you don't have dull blades, and you might. If the blades are allowed to rust - the rust will destry the razor edges very quickly. If the blades are stored on a bare floor, with no guards, they may be easily chipped, or bent. If, when drilling, any dirt is struck that might be frozen in the ice, or if you happen to hit the bottom of the lake in very shallow water, and hit mud and dirt with the blade, you can quickly dull the blade. If any of these conditions have occurred, you might have a blade that is dull and needs to be resharpened or replaced. Also be sure that you don't have a bent end on the auger. It is very important that the blades are in perfect alignment. If the auger happened to be stepped on, or driven over, the blades might have been bent. If the blades are bent or misaligned, this will cause binding in the hole.

Finally, you might only have a problem with the operator. With most augers, you have to be very careful when nearing the backside of theice. As you stated, frequently clear the ice from the blades, and be ready to feather or joggle the throttle up and down as you near the end of the ice. i.e. as you near full penetration, be prepared for an ice grab, and really back off on the pressure that you are exerting on the blade. Even pull back on the auger, so that you are cutting very very slowly. If you do this, all sides of the hole may be evenly shaved, and jamming will be minimized. By doing these procedures, I suspect that you will eliminate your problems.

Take care

REW

[Backwater Eddy]

REW has very good point's!

I would add that in my experance if the auger cuts well tell it hits bottom, and then starts to lock or chatter, I suspect the outer tip of the cutting blade to be chipped or worn.

Once it reaches the bottom the outer most edge finishes the cut off, an if it is in poor condition it will bounce from side to side and wedge.

When sharpening I make sure to plane the full surface of the cutting edge of a Jiffy blade. I do this with a flat diamond impregnated stone in a circular motion over the entire top surface of the blade. Take care to keep the 15 degree pitch it was designed to cut with.

If you visually see large chips missing from the outer edge you may be better off picking up a new blade.

Hope this is of help.

BE.......><,,>

[jack]

i have the same problem with my old jiffy, but all i do is just lift it up in mid air and put it to full speed and then put it through the bottom of the ice

[Don]

I have have mine for about a year now. Today after only drilling less than 75 holes on two outings in that year, the pull cord rewind "part" let lose inside. This unit was a demo unit that I purchased last year. And yes when you come close to drilling thru the ice the unit does struggle a bit, other than that the unit works good.

[Mattman]

A friend had a similar problem with his. Found out that the blade was at too severe of an angle and was trying to "bite" too much. He had someone who know the correct angle straighten it out and then I think he even threw a tack weld to it to beef it up a bit.

But I'm guessing what you're talking about is what is common with auging holes. Mine binds up too. Just keep the chips free and when you start breaking through the bottom lift up a bit.

[Ferny]

Hey Guy's here's the solution: Get a Strikemaster Lazer Express!
That's what I did!
I sold my Jiffy 30 this year. I was tired of wrestling the heavy, hard to start and keep running thing! I didn't like the way it sprayed water on me also. OK enough Jiffy bashing.

I can't say enough good about the Lazer, man these things cut like they're going through butter!
They're light, easy to start, cut great, and cost the same as a Jiffy 30.
Just my opinion.

Later,

Ferny.

[AquaMan]

Thats the nature of a single blade auger. I have one with a sharp plade that catches teh ice as it exits the hole on the bottom. Slow your decent as you begin to break through. This will allow the bit to remove more ice before you break through.

Without bash, cuz Ziffy make a fine auger, Lazer went to a dual blade to offset that problem. However, they have their own set of problems as a result. If one blade gets nicked or dulled, the auger wants to "walk" in the hole.

In anyevent, be sure your blade will shave your arm and keep it as perpendicular as possible when drilling. Keep your fuel clean with the right oil mix. Let up a little as it begins to break through and your auger should provide 1000's of holes.

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

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"