Question about auger blades

[dam bass]

When you get to the bottom of the hole, and your auger bogs down, is that because the blade is dull? I just had it sharpened by one of my machine shop customers. It seems to cut ok, but, I have to ram it to get to go through the bottom. Any suggestions? Thanks, DB

[A7X]

I would say after the first hole you realize how thick the ice is... Upon reaching the last inch of ice pick up on the auger a bit to let it shave through the last bit, rather than break through and catch the blade on the edge of the broken through hole... that should do it if you're blades are sharp and auger is running well...

[fishermantim]

Ditto...

Let the auger do the work.
Whenever you apply pressure to the auger, be it hand or power, it could have a tendency to bog down near the bottom of the hole.

[SkunkLuvver]

I'm a hand auger guy and if the ice is thick the last few inches just plain suck. I'm not sure if its because the blade gets clogged or if the underside of the ice is uneven causing the blade to dig funny when its breaking through.
My solution is to reduce pressure on the auger (even lift it a little) and try to spin it faster.  … still sucks though.

[4426]

I'm a hand auger guy and if the ice is thick the last few inches just plain suck. I'm not sure if its because the blade gets clogged or if the underside of the ice is uneven causing the blade to dig funny when its breaking through.
My solution is to reduce pressure on the auger (even lift it a little) and try to spin it faster.  … still sucks though.

well i just thought I was just running out of steam by the end of the hole in thick ice haha, but yes lifting it and letting auger and sharp blades do the work does help

[kennyisfishin]

its just like drilling steel ,wood or masonry. a drill needs to have relief from the shavings or it binds!!! ice is no diffent