Auger question

[AKSweetpete]

I have a question.  Lets say you are out on the ice and have a problem with your power auger. Can you take the auger bit off and use it as a hand auger if you had a handle for it?  I have a Eskimo 8 inch Mako auger.

[fl18guy]

nils augers you can. I think you can on some others. Not sure which one. I own nils .

[pike4some]

Thats a very good question. As far as I know that the nils is the only one you can. I think most hand held screw together rather than a pin or bolt in a power auger.

[eyefish2]

If your auger has a chipper blade, I have never heard of people doing what your are asking.    If your auger has lazer type blades such as the nils, then probably doable.   Nils advertises it.  I have not seen other companies advertise it.  Keep your auger maintained and make sure it always starts in a few pulls and you should never have an issue.

[fishfighter]

My auger has a chipper blade but I don't think I'd be able to get it to work without giving myself a hernia.

[dbike988]

Power auger bits like yours are a little heavier than hand augers.  Yours should have shaving blades on it so in theory it is doable.  Borrow a buddies handle, try it and let us know!

[Big Burk]

It works, first trip of the season this year I didnt get around to fixing the recoil rope and had a handle from an old auger so I tried it. But once was enough for me, turning that 10" strikemaster by hand wasn't pleasant but was a good work out I guess.... Buy a cheap hand auger if you really need a back up auger.

[AKSweetpete]

Thanks everyone, as usual lots of good comments, I am so glad for this web site, a huge help for a newbie like me. I don't have a nils so it sounds like if I wanted a back up then it would be a hand auger.