Hello everyone, did a little search didn’t find too much, my friends wife wants to buy him an ice auger for Christmas present I was thinking battery powered possibly maybe 2 cycle also, I own a two cycle myself I don’t mind mixing gas and oil but I know my friends not too crazy about it, would you guys stick with a two cycle or would you go to battery operated route thanks,Steve
Ice Fishing
Ice Auger
Fished yesterday with a buddy who just bought a new ION 40v ice auger. I've had my Jiffy propane for almost 5 years now without any issues, starts instantly, maybe 2 pulls when cold, overall love it. I was really impressed with the new electric. We had 16" of ice and I did the old 1000-1 1000-2 type count as he drilled, it took roughly 5 seconds to drill through. My propane was roughly double that.
He also paid roughly $550 for it so certainly not for everyone. The part that impressed me the most beyond the speed was it felt as though it was pulling itself down through the ice, no pressure by me when using it.
Long term remains to see how it holds up, a spare battery is also pricey, not sure if needed. Wouldn't say run out and buy one, but I was really impressed over all.
Edit: Just to followup, he fished the next day and estimates he drilled 60 to 70 holes through 16/18" of ice before he needed to recharge the battery
I have a jiffy white lightning that’s probably 10-15 years old. Really good auger other than replacing blades that thing drilled a ton of holes. The main thing for me is it’s a tank. I don’t have an atv or sled so I’m walking. Now I’ve switched to the Milwaukee drill and mora 8”. It works great and is extremely light. I’d like to get one of nylon flighting ones made for a drill but just haven’t yet. I live in SE WI and we don’t see 18-20” of ice very often anymore so it works perfect. The Jiffy is still in the basement though can’t and won’t sell it, too good of an auger.
SW-I would highly recommend using the Clam plate. It makes the whole setup easier and safer to use. It also takes a lot of the stress away from the drill. The drill itself is probably the most important part of the whole thing. I personally use the Milwaukee and I’ve put together 6 other setups for others using the Milwaukee drill. It’s like the Ford/Chevy argument. As long as the drill has the torque needed it will work. I’ve built both 8” and 10” setups and I used the 1200 inlbs models. Batteries are all relative. The bigger the battery the better. I use a 9ah, but (2) 5ah would work too. I don’t know about you, but I want my stuff to work every time, all the time.
Well I have an hc40 propane..love it.. pulled it out of the shed a few weeks ago 3 pulls and it fired right up. After that first initial fire it starts on 1-3 pulls every time cuts great and is simple to use but...today I tried my step dads 24v strikemaster...cut around 60 holes through 7inches of ice... living in southern Wisconsin we rarely see ice over 15in.. this auger was so light and easy to use I don't want to carry my propane anymore. Only thing currently holding me back is more intell on these plastic auger bits? Has anyone ever had 1 break?
I own all 3 types gas propane and electric all jiffy augers but which ever brand you prefer in the end they all do the same thing is to drill a hole. And how many holes you drill in a day will steer you from on style to another.like others have said I also prefer to use my gas auger when ice is 3'+.But any style will still cut 3' of ice.
Cosmic- electric augers have been around for 30+ years. It’s the drill/auger setups that are relatively new. Where did your information about Strikemaster come from? People in the upper north that deal with 3’ plus of ice will always need to use a more efficient gas auger.