Hand Auger

[skillett007]

I use a Ryobi to push my 6" lazer. It sure does make it easier on us old goats. Last winter I bit up and switched to Lithium batteries and that is both lighter and packs a better punch so long as it is not extremely cold. My third season with a drill adapter, too. I got the Kluge adapter from Vexilar. It costs a bit more, but I am completely satisfied with it after three seasons. The 6" size hole has also been more than enough for my needs.

how many holes can u punch per battery?

[Crappie 1]

I have a Strike Master that I have had for years, it's an 8"

[no1son]

how many holes can u punch per battery?

Per foot of ice, best guess at this point is something like between 6 and 10 holes per battery. The high side would be lithium batteries, warmest temps, sharpest blades. Dull blades will cut the number of holes by as much as 2/3 and more. NiCad batteries yield something like 2/3 the guts of the Lithium, but cost a whole lot less. Two of us got enough holes to fish in comfortably through between 2 and 2 and a half feet of ice last winter on two Lithium batteries, fully charged to start and kept warm (inside coat) between cutting holes. We do a little hole hopping, but no real run and gun stuff, and we are walk-on bucket fishermen rather than portashack types; so we avoid the worst cold.

[UFCreel]

Better get a 5 inch lazer and a Milwaukee 18v lithium ion drill. My nephew fishes the NAIFC and can get at least 35- 50 holes per battery. Plus hot water bottles to keep batteries nice and warm Myself i use and old Mora 6 inch for ice less than 10 inches anything more and the 8 1/4 inch power auger is put to use.

[skillett007]

thanks for the info, might have to go that way for night time stalking, when ice gets over 8", i have a older jiffy 3hp auger and u talkin bout loud

[scoremaster]

i have a 8 in. mora gave to me froma fella that went gas and i got some new blades in the deal man oh man what a cutter i have no problem but you have to pace yourself kinda like drill a hole set you tip up drill another or maybe drill two than set your stuff so on and so on . before then i used my buddies gas auger when i went with him or i didn't go lol
and i'd say there are 150 -200 holes on my blades for to start off this year if the ice ever gets here lol.
hope they make it this season as i tried to sharpen the old ones and they will shave hair like no ones bussiness but just shave the ice like a blender chunks and all not wrth a hoot but them new ones whow can you say slushy anyone .

Scott

[monklej]

6" Lazer up to 8 inches or so then gotta get the electric 8" Lazer out.

[Williefast]

I have an old hadmedown mora 7 inch.. Tried to sharpin blades with no success. New blades and she cuts like a champ. I've since bought a used gas auger but still use the ol' hand one. Perfect for early ice.

[Tank 1]

I have a 8" Mora, 6" Mora, 6" Lazer, 5" Lazer, 3hp 10" Jiffy and this year I bought a 6" Nils. The Lazers perform better than the Jiffy's in my opinion and if we ever get ice I'll report on the Nils.

[jepik]

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..