Hand Auger

[no1son]

You may find that you can continue to use the Ryobi through deeper ice with the smaller auger, and if you can and are not doing so already switch to Lithium batteries. You will get more cutting from them for less weight, but it also pays to keep them warm, and of course charged up. The Lithium batteries don't bog down like Nicads do, but when they are done they just simply stop.

The best thing you can do for easier drill cutting is to keep your blades sharp. If what you got off Ebay is an older unit, you may still have to replace or sharpen the blades. Even new Chinese blades are better than dull Swedish ones. With sharp blades I have continued to use my drill all through the last couple of winters here in Minneapolis, and the last two winters had ice to cut through over two feet thick, more like 30 inches at times.

[Tank 1]

I just got a new 5 in. lazer yesterday from ebay..I think I got lucky because its says made in sweden on the box and the blades both....gander mt.and farm fleet both say made in china on theirs.. going to retire the 6 in. lazer..I also use a ryobi 18 volt for the last few years,till the ice gets around 7 or 8 ins., then the out comes the gas auger..the drill makes it a lot easier on this 72 year old body..

Yeah because my 5" Lazer I bought in Feb. 2010 was made in China and the blades weren't worth a crap. I contacted Strikemaster and they exchanged them for the Swedish blades at no charge.

[jepik]

the auger is brand new in the box..I keep the batteries in soft cooler with hand warmer..I try to go as light as possible on first ice..when the ice gets to 7 or 8 ins. out comes the gas auger and my old quad..

[no1son]

Gotta agree about the weight thing. Mostly I fish carry-on around the smaller lakes in the deep Metro where it has to be carry on by Park rules. No vehicles of any kind allowed and no permanent fish houses either on most of those I fish. No real big deal since some of my favorites are surrounded by parkways with street parking real close to most of the shorelines.

I carry my batteries in an inside pocket to keep them warm; a fanny pack under the parka or inside the bibbs also works pretty well.

[Mikeguard01]

I have a 6 inchMora, 8 inch Lazer, and two 6 inch Nils. All I can say is the Mora and theLazer have a lot of dust on them. The Nils cuts faster with the least amount ofeffort. I was fishing with a buddy whohas the 6 inch Lazer and I was half way on my second hole when he broke throughhis first. The blade is expensive and I have not needed to sharpen one due towearing down from cutting ice. I did slip and drop it on the road and had tohave it sent out to be sharpened. I now have a spare just in case. This is justmy opinion and what works for me. Sure beats the old days using a hatchet orspoon drill.

Mike

[Len]

Well I did get the new auger and added a auger rack to the back of the sled.Now if we just get any ice!!

[crappieman2380]

Looks like you went with the Lazer. Good choice. I got one last year and have not been disappointed. Blew through 6" today in about 10sec.

[Tank 1]

Finally had a chance to use my new Nils. It definitely cuts better than my Mora's and Lazer's. One thing I also noticed was that the Nils doesn't hang up on the last turn or two when finishing the hole.