more Nills questions

[just mike]

I just got an 8" Nills hand auger due to all the positive feed back. Yesterday I walk 3/4 of a mile out on a lake at 0430. I go to drill a hole, so happy to be using this auger and nuthing! I finally figured out if I am very carefull, go very slow push like hell and hold it dead center straight up and down, it will cut. slowly. is a bad head from the factory possible? thanks.

[Pail Rider]

Don't push like hell.  Start slowly and be sure you are moving both arms (off-set handles)...it should dig right in.  Pushing like hell could bend the blades, and it will never bite for you.  I have an 8" Nils and absolutely love it.  We have around 8-10" of solid black ice right now, and I can buzz through it in 10 seconds or less.

[mdrobny]

never used a nils,BUT I learned last year 8" holes are a b***h to drill by hand.used a6" mora for 15 yrs. wasn't hard to drill a foot of ice. bought a 8" mora last year and it about did me in.  almost twice as much area in an 8" compared to a 6" hole.
wasn't going to do it this year and bought a MAKO 8". just waiting to get it out!!

[just mike]

I have had an 8" lazer for ever so the size is not an issue. with out applying pressure I could not get it to bite.

[fishlessman]

have had mine for three years, even after 3 years the first hole i was wobbly with the offset handle, was fine by the second hole, no pressure. no pushing, just nice easy spin paying attention to keeping it straight, after 3 or 4 holes dont even think about it for the season

[twodogs02]

never used a nils,BUT I learned last year 8" holes are a b***h to drill by hand.used a6" mora for 15 yrs. wasn't hard to drill a foot of ice. bought a 8" mora last year and it about did me in.  almost twice as much area in an 8" compared to a 6" hole.
wasn't going to do it this year and bought a MAKO 8". just waiting to get it out!!

They take a few holes to get the hang of it.  Like said above - no pressure needed and make sure you turn both arms, this keeps the head straight, if you don't do this the head is offset in the hole and it will wobble.   I cut probably 50-80 holes per days using my 8" and there has never been a problem, I can sometimes beat my buddy through the ice with his gas auger.

[WiscoJiggin]

I have not used the 8" nils, but my fishing buddy owns the 6".  You definitely need to get used to the off-set handles compared to a traditional hand auger.  Also dont push down hard!  Thats definitely hard on the cutting head and it should not be necessary.  Once you start the shaving at the top of the ice just focus on nice steady turns and keeping the auger nice and perpendicular to the ice.  If you are teetering back and forth that could be making you miss the cutting edge.  We like the 6" so much we rarely fire up the gas auger because it is so much heavier to carry out! good luck and let me know if you have other problems.

[stanmo]

It may be a bent head. Mine worked great last year when I bought it. One day it just would not cut. Absolutely nothing. Not even scraping sounds. I sent it to a Nils repair guy. It was slightly bent, but still razor sharp. He Fixed it and it's good as new. I don't even know what I did to bend it, but the cover is on at all times except actually drilling. If it is brand new exchange it.

[MoreTroutPls]

I use two tricks to make sure my 8" Nils tracks straight and cuts easily.  First, to start gently rest the auger tip on the ice.  Stand it vertically and balance it on the tip of the blade.  Then, moving both hands, turn the crank while you focus on the top of the auger screw (the flat spot just above the handle attachment bolt).  Keep that spot in exactly the same place and don't let it wobble back and forth as you crank. 

Also, if the blade collects ice, it may not cut as well.  Let the ice chips and water drain off the blade before you set it down and don't set it down in the snow.  Put the cover on to protect the blade, people, roaming dogs and shelter fabric.

So far, my one year old Nils has cut over 200 holes and is still cuts like new.   

[just mike]

I would return it but I bought it from Cabelas bargan cave. No returns. Nills sent me to a guy in Minnesota who is going to look at it. I hope its a messed up head or I'm stuck with a hundred dollar auger that I'm not coordinated enough to operate.

[Piatu]

Nils/ur-auger blades can try to make sharpen at home too, but couple of things.....

-Newer touch outside (side witch touch to ice) of blade...always inside and DONT use any machines.
-Best results can make thin abhrasive paper by hands, like grade 800/1000/1200.

And carefully.