IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Ice Augers => Topic started by: LoneWolf on Jan 07, 2012, 02:19 PM
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I know many, including myself, have had problems with the cover for the Nils cutting head. It can be a pain to put on correctly under ideal conditions let alone when it's 5 degrees with ice frozen on it. Most just leave the cover off for the day but as pointed out in previous posts this is dangerous ... not only to yourself but to others.
I've seen modifications to the cover using magnets but I personally just didn't like that idea due to ice build up and I wanted something cheap and simple.
Here's what I came up with but I haven't had a chance to test it yet due to lack of ice. :'(
I went to HD and bought a 2 gallon paint bucket. It's about $2.00 and the ID is slightly over 8". I removed the handle and drilled a 1/4" hole through the indent that secured the handle on each side.
I installed (2) 1/4 x 20 (3/4" length) SS bolts with a 1 x 1/4 SS fender washer from the inside out.
I had 2 small brackets laying around so I placed those on the outside (over the extruding bolt) and then secured with a 1/4" SS washer and a 1/4 x 20 SS lock nut. (You can easily make the bracket)
I then used a rubber strap hooking one "s" hook through one bracket, then wrapped around shaft and and the other "s" hook into the other bracket.
So far it appears it will go on easily even with built up ice on the cutting head. It will enable me to keep the cutting head covered so as less likely to injure some one. The only draw back I can foresee is possibly the straps sliding on the flutes and loosening. As I said I haven't been able to give it a good test but so far it looks promising.
Any other solutions/ideas chime in.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/icepounder/NilsBladeGuardBucket.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/icepounder/NilsBladeGuardBucket1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/icepounder/NilsBladeGuardBucket2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/icepounder/NilsBladeGuardBucket3.jpg)
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I have thought about doing something like that, and actually putting a couple holes in the fluting for the top end of the straps.
Not sure if I want to drill holes in the fluting, but I don't think it would hurt anything or affect the performance of the auger.
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Good idea with the bucket.
I have thought about doing something like that, and actually putting a couple holes in the fluting for the top end of the straps.
Not sure if I want to drill holes in the fluting, but I don't think it would hurt anything or affect the performance of the auger.
If put in far enough from the edge 1" or so can't see how it would hurt. Just paint the hole after drilling to prevent rust.
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I have an 8" id pvc pipe in my sled for mounting the auger up right at all times and the factory cover for transport home. My question for Nills owners is. Is an attachment available for cordless drill use? Thanks.
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The 8" Strikemaster blade covers fit perfectly on the Nils 8". Two seasons ago I was swearing up a storm trying to get my cover on my Nils with -30 windchills and a hot crappie bite going on...My buddies' Lazer cover was sitting a few feet away, so I gave it a shot. Perfect. I ordered one from FishUSA when I got home that night. My Nils cover is collecting dust somewhere in my polebarn...
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Great idea. I'm wondering what you could put at the bottom of the bucket to protect the blades even more. Foam rubber & padding would probably get chewed up by the blades and wind up in pieces all over the ice.
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The 8" Strikemaster blade covers fit perfectly on the Nils 8". Two seasons ago I was swearing up a storm trying to get my cover on my Nils with -30 windchills and a hot crappie bite going on...My buddies' Lazer cover was sitting a few feet away, so I gave it a shot. Perfect. I ordered one from FishUSA when I got home that night. My Nils cover is collecting dust somewhere in my polebarn...
Is the SM cover that much easier to get on ? If you get a chance could you post a picture of it on and the straps ? The cover I see online looks rectangular.
Thanks !
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Here you go:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/bogeyjoker/IMG_20120108_133748.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/bogeyjoker/IMG_20120108_133738.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/bogeyjoker/IMG_20120108_133728.jpg)
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Thanks Todd that looks more durable and much easier .. I just ordered one. :thumbsup:
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I have an 8" id pvc pipe in my sled for mounting the auger up right at all times and the factory cover for transport home. My question for Nills owners is. Is an attachment available for cordless drill use? Thanks.
ice master has the adaptor
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Ordered an adapter last night, to go along with my new 8" Nils, heading up to Moosehead in 11/2 weeks to try her out!!!
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From day one never liked the blade cover, next Gander trip the SM blade cover is the first item I'm purchasing.
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I've had a drill adapter for my Nils now for 3 years, I can't recall who I bought if from, but he's a major player for drill attachments, on the net and ebay. I solved my cover problem a different way. I bought some of the small Neodymium rare earth magnets (very strong), drilled a couple of holes in the cover, a couple of small bolts through that and the magnets (they have holes in the center), and the head just snaps into the cover and sit's there snugly.
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Here is someone using magnets to hold the cover on, like mentioned above.
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I received the cover yesterday. As Todd said it fits like a glove. Easy on and easy off with one stretch cord.
Thanks Todd.
Doug
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I just ordered the Strikemaster guard. Sportsman Guide has them for 10.95
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I received the cover yesterday. As Todd said it fits like a glove. Easy on and easy off with one stretch cord.
Thanks Todd.
Doug
Glad it works for you Doug.
tg
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bogeyjoker
Thanks for the heads up on the SM head cover - Picked up the 6 and 8" cover
from Fish USA and fits great. HAd the 6' hand auger for years and purchased
the 8" Nils Power this fall - and man did I put the whammy on this season.....
Thanks again..
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I also got a SM 8". Works GREAT
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GOOD IDEAS GUYS KEEP THEM COMING
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Thanks Todd that looks more durable and much easier .. I just ordered one. :thumbsup:
LoneWaolf, you can always use that 2 gallon bucket to throw your fish in....it will take you no time at all to get a "Bucket Full"! ;D
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Anybody know if Strikemster 6" cover will work on the Nils 6" head?
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Anybody know if Strikemster 6" cover will work on the Nils 6" head?
It does. Much better than trying to handle that little piece of yellow plastic Nils calls a cover.
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This is what I did for an old mora auger I used to have.
(http://www.frontiernet.net/~jaycub/Folgers_auger_cover01.jpg)
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I removed the suspension harness off of a old hard hat strapped the hat to my nils auger
The round shape seemed to fit ok
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My Nils has the point on the tip, will the SM cover it with no problems?
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My Nils has the point on the tip, will the SM cover it with no problems?
I have the powerpoint too, just picked up the Strikemaster cover, it fits well but I have not had it on the ice yet. Much less work to secure one band rather than two ends of a chinese finger trap. I love the Nils blade, the Nils auger flite, and the Tanaka engine, but the head cover supplied with the blade sucks. Please read and hear this Nils, the head cover SUCKS. Fix the .50 cent part, that's all I ask. Your blade cuts like crazy, the Nils/Tanaka combo is lightweight and super reliable, I love them. I cannot recommned a Nils auger/Tanaka powerhead enough, it is awesome, just throw the head cover away and find a replacement. Absent a factory fix, I'm hoping the Strikemaster cover is the solution. Thanks for the other suggestions.
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Here is someone using magnets to hold the cover on, like mentioned above.
As long as your auger is ice and snow free, looks good!!
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If you use the magnets at the very least put some heavy tape over them. Not only will they dull the blade but they scratch the bottom of the blade. That type of damage is difficult to remove.
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I use a SM cover for my 6" Nils works great.
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Here you go, best accessory you can buy for a Nils...http://www.coldsnapcover.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=95/category_id=59/mode=prod/prd95.htm (http://www.coldsnapcover.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=95/category_id=59/mode=prod/prd95.htm)
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Even though post is old, was exactly what I was looking for; ordered 6" SM cover for nils auger today (12.18.18)!