Nils auger issues

[addicted2fishin]

So here is my story real quick. I purchased a nils 8" PowerPoint hand auger an took it on the ice a few times with a friend who used my old auger (lazer) an punched 3 holes to my 1.  the blades were not catching properly an it took me forever to catch the last bit of ice. So I contacted nils an they advised I send it out to be inspected. So for one reason or another I thought it might be the PowerPoint giving me the hard time so I ordered a new blade w/o a PowerPoint  (btw runs 80$) while I wait to see what had already messed up the other. Anyway I got it put it on today an took it out. Didn't even cut the 1st layer of ice!  Almost dumped the whole auger in the trash after that.. Anyone have issues like this with a nils? 

[Sharp Nils]

  Don't take this the wrong way.  Is there any chance your not used to the offset handle?
 

[dkfry]

Check the flighting to see if its straight. The shaft of the Nils auger and the flighting is pretty thin (thinner than the Jiffy, SM and Finbore hand auger I have/had) and then they weld the entire length of the flighting to the shaft. Welding the entire length can cause warpage and a drill assembly that is not straight. Sometimes they also get bent in shipping.

[addicted2fishin]

No I'm happy to hear any feedback. I need to find a solution to this problem because the frustration of have to use someone elses auger to pop a hole or to use my old auger after spending enough $$$ to purchase a power auger on this nils is liable to kill me! I use it as other posts an manufacture suggest no downward pressure keep the shaft straight an turn with both hands. Is that how you use them?

  Don't take this the wrong way.  Is there any chance your not used to the offset handle?
 

[addicted2fishin]

Check the flighting to see if its straight. The shaft of the Nils auger and the flighting is pretty thin (thinner than the Jiffy, SM and Finbore hand auger I have/had) and then they weld the entire length of the flighting to the shaft. Welding the entire length can cause warpage and a drill assembly that is not straight. Sometimes they also get bent in shipping.

Good idea dkfry how do I check the Flighting to make sure it's straight ? Thanks

[Sharp Nils]

   Yes something like that.  The auger shaft should stay straight(vertical)with no wobble.

[dkfry]

Good idea dkfry how do I check the Flighting to make sure it's straight ? Thanks

One of the easiest ways is to look down the flighting of the auger and see if it is bowed.

[Dog-duster]

I'll start by saying I'm not all that familiar with this auger's design but it sounds like a point that I thought would be a good idea on my old Mora 7". When I first got it I was a bit younger and had a hard time starting it on the ice. I decided to weld on a stainless spade between the blades to provide a point to get it started. It was good and sharp and it didn't stick far past the blades but it impeded the cutting severly. You might try taking out the power point or making sure it's seated deeply enough to keep it from allowing the blades to engage the ice. Just a thought...

[Gordo]

Do you know anyone else with a Nils hand auger. Maybe someone that is used to using one could try yours and compare, and you could try theirs. If they have a problem with it, then you should send it back for a new one.

[addicted2fishin]

Thanks guys for all the info I'm getting another new PowerPoint sent  in the mail from redrocks (btw these guys are awesome they have been nothing but helpful an I always buy all my gear from them)  an hopefully that'll fix it but if not it must be the Flighting as dkfry suggested.

[BS-BARN]

Yeah it has to be some sort of Weird defect in yours because after one hole with
Mine there really was no technique to it it just sliced right through. Maybe something's up with your PowerPoint. Good Luck with your auger.

[surflizard]

Remove the handle and roll the bit cross a coffee table, something narrow enough that the red bits don't hit and see if it thumps or jumps, easy way to check the flighting alinement ! For the big chunk of change they ask for them, I'd return it for a New one !! Just my .02, Good luck !

[fourstar]

I got the same problem but I don't have the powerpoint.  There are times I can drill a hole no problem and sometimes it will catch.  It will always start out good but in the middle of the drilling it'll not catch. I don't think it's the auger though, I think its just me not used to the offset handle.

[CT-iceguy.]

Have you ever hit either head on anything? I had a friend who after I told him very firmly, not to bang the head on anything, whaled the thing on the ice. After that it, it shined the ice more than cut it. I got a new head a few days later and it has cut great ever since. I agree with everyone, youve gotta keep it straight up and down on the initial cut.

 BTW I don't use the powerpoint, a friend steered me clear of that, he had the same problem as you, and fixed it by buying a regular head..

[fourstar]

I've read too many warnings about banging the head on the ice.  I make sure I'm extremely careful with the head.  I just got my auger last weekend.  I bought it used and noticed there's a dent on the head going upwards.   I figure that might be the problem but as long as I can drill I don't complain much.

[addicted2fishin]

Just received the new blades for mine I'll let u guys know what happens in the next couple days when I get a chance to hit the ice

[Ice Foot]

I bought a Nils 8" hand auger last year and it drilled fine until I handed it to a friend, who drilled a hole and handed it back.  I wasn't watching real close to what he did, but when I went out on the ice the next week, it wouldn't cut at all.  Maybe he tapped it on the ice.  I don't know.  Whatever it was, it was shot.  I sent it in for resharpening and now it works again, but still spins a bit without cutting.  I've ordered another head for a back-up.  These things are delicate.  I hadn't heard about not pressing on them, as posted above.  Will definitely not press on the new head, tap it on the ice, look at it cross-eyed, etc.

[addicted2fishin]

So I checked the Flighting last night of my auger an it's off on 2 flights by about 1cm not enough to make it wobble but noticed if examined closely. It's the 2 closest to the auger head. Also talked 2 a nils rep about the situation I was having an they assured me the Flighting would not cause me to be unable to cut any ice. Seems logical since it doesn't actually do any of the cutting. What can the Flighting being off a centimeter at the base of the auger do? Thanks guys

[evobassfish]

Can you take a pictur of the handle? Just wondering if the handle is bent or what not

[bigredonice]

I bought a Nils 8" hand auger last year and it drilled fine until I handed it to a friend, who drilled a hole and handed it back.  I wasn't watching real close to what he did, but when I went out on the ice the next week, it wouldn't cut at all.  Maybe he tapped it on the ice.  I don't know.  Whatever it was, it was shot.  I sent it in for resharpening and now it works again, but still spins a bit without cutting.  I've ordered another head for a back-up.  These things are delicate.  I hadn't heard about not pressing on them, as posted above.  Will definitely not press on the new head, tap it on the ice, look at it cross-eyed, etc.

yes, the only problem with Nils, they are fragile.  This exact scenario has happened to me countless times.

[addicted2fishin]

So went out this morning with only one way to go up or in the dump my nils went.  to say the least I still have the auger an it worked great. Maybe I should threaten it more often cut effortlessly finally like I expected it to do when I first got it but the only 2 issues I have are how fragile these guys really are An with the Flighting being off slightly probably due to shipping it does not cut the last layer of ice like I know it can. Whatever though atleast I put holes in the ice an pulled out some fatties an I didn't throw 200+ $s in the dump. One word of advice if ur putting a hole in the ice do it yourself an treat it like a baby.