OT Ice Auger

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

Well-known member
Supporter
I don't ice fish much, but I do get out a couple of times per year. I've been using an old Mora auger for years, but arthritis in my elbow from an old car accident injury puts that off the table. I'm going to drill a few holes, probably never more than 10, for tip-ups and a jig stick or two. 8" holes will be fine, 6" too.

I don't have an ATV or snowmobile, so I'll be hauling gear on a jet sled. Light weight and compact size are key attributes. I'm not going to take this too seriously, but want something that will work reliably.

Multiple sites have a 33cc Eskimo gas auger for under $250 right now.

It looks to me like most of the electric augers are out of my price range. Another affordable option might be one of the drill mounted augers, but I'm not sure what I'd need for a drill and batteries to make that work well, and I have no experience with electric augers. For low weight and compact carry, a drill/batteries and a detachable auger extension seem ideal--and no need to haul a gas tank around.

Any experience with that entry level Eskimo? Anybody got a great drill/battery/auger that works great that might be affordable? Or do I need to suck it up and spend $4-500 to get something useful.
 
Jeff,

I have a Jiffy model 30 that I haven't used in years. I believe I bought it in 08. Ran fine last time it was used, comes with a spare set of blades. I went to electric in 2013 and never looked back. If you want it, it's yours. It's in Greenville, I'll let you know next time I'm heading up, or perhaps I could meet you on the way back south.
 
Edited to add that a Milwaukee M-18 brushless drill with 3 5 amp-hour batteris is on sale at Home Depot now for under $300. Unlike a gas auger, that's something I would use the rest of the year anyway. If I go that route--tell me about the different kinds of drill mounted augurs . . . . .
 
SJ Fairbank said:
Jeff,

I have a Jiffy model 30 that I haven't used in years. I believe I bought it in 08. Ran fine last time it was used, comes with a spare set of blades. I went to electric in 2013 and never looked back. If you want it, it's yours. It's in Greenville, I'll let you know next time I'm heading up, or perhaps I could meet you on the way back south.
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Great offer, but I'm thinking electric myself. See above--I'll use the drill for other things. A gas auger will just sit in the barn and collect mouse shit and dust all spring/summer/fall.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Great offer, but I'm thinking electric myself. See above--I'll use the drill for other things. A gas auger will just sit in the barn and collect mouse shit and dust all spring/summer/fall.
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That, plus the damn Jiffy turns the opposite direction of every other auger in the civilized world. :)

I've had gas Jiffy's, Nils/Tanaka, Strikemasters and Eskimos. The Nils/Tanaka setup is far superior to the others plus it is comparatively lightweight. #2 pick is the Strikemaster.

For electric with an off the shelf hand drill, I've tried Milwaukee with Nils and Strikemaster augers. Doesn't knock my socks off, but some guys love them. I also have a Clam plate for such a setup, it's a slightly fancier setup using the same components as above. Again, OK but not the bomb. If you go the hand drill route, buy a Strikemaster hand drill. Cuts great and easy to find new blades when you clip a rock. Nils cuts even better, but more $ and tough to get the blades sharpened.

I get that you don't want to have a garage queen for the summer, but I still strongly suggest consideration of the dedicated electric augers. I have a 1st generation Ion 40V and a 2 year old Strikemaster 40V. The Ion is a shaver blade and cuts with the least effort while the Strikemaster is more aggressive and tears through the ice but you need to hold on. Yes, they are more money than the hand drill/auger setup but worth it IMO. Buy once, cry once. (Guess I don't take my own advice.)
 
One other thing. Regardless of what you buy, treat yourself to a ColdSnap auger head cover. No more fumbling with the auger head cover and cutting your boots or worse, fingers. Been there, blood is quite vivid on the ice.
 
SJ Fairbank said:
One other thing. Regardless of what you buy, treat yourself to a ColdSnap auger head cover. No more fumbling with the auger head cover and cutting your boots or worse, fingers. Been there, blood is quite vivid on the ice.
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It'll mostly be for local pike fishing the infested lakes down around Augusta. My blood will be on the ice no matter what!
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Edited to add that a Milwaukee M-18 brushless drill with 3 5 amp-hour batteris is on sale at Home Depot now for under $300. Unlike a gas auger, that's something I would use the rest of the year anyway. If I go that route--tell me about the different kinds of drill mounted augurs . . . . .
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Either DeWalt or Milwaukee with minimum 5 amp batteries. List of recommended drill models; https://kdrillauger.com/info/cordless-drill-minimum-requirements.html


Pair that with a K-drill size of your choice. Smaller hole diameter is easier on battery life (number of holes per charge) Save some dollars by purchasing a rebuilt K-drill, should be nothing wrong with a factory rebuilt.
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