Hand auger trouble

[bigace]

Went fishing for the first time this season with my dad. Got to the lake and our 5" laser wasn't cutting through the ice. It would just spin on top. Blades seemed like razor blades but idk. We wanted a bigger auger anyways so we quickly ran to the bait store and picked up the 8" nils with the offset handle. Day one it performed great, second day we made holes for our tip ups and jogging rods. Fished a few hours then decided to make a move. It would just spin and spin and not catch onto the ice. There was a lot of water on top of the lake and it was all freezing so there were two layers of ice but idk what the deal is. We had the laser for 3 years and it never gave us an issue. Now with  this auger too. Blades are brand new. No dents no dullness. My dad slices his hand open trying to see if the blades were dull. Anybody know what was the problem? Freezing cold making the water on the lake freeze to the blade and not catch on??

[Gimper]

I opened this thread thinking he was going to say it wouldn't start 

Ice on the blades will stop the edge of the blades from making contact with the ice and not digging in.

[Idahogator]

If you've had a wind storm over open fields ~ possibly sand was blown onto/within the ice.

Only takes a couple of turns and the blades will need touching up or sharpened.     

That's just a guess, as you haven't taken pride in your location by listing it in your profile.   

[skifisher]

I had a similar problem with my Strikemaster 8"...ice on the blades. Once I got it to cut, everything was fine. Now when I cut a hole, I shake the water off and replace the blade guard. No more issues. The other thing I found is banging the auger on the ice might cause the blades to become off true, another reason it won't cut. Hope this helps. (And like Idaho said, sand and grit in the ice.)

[Adkslabslayer]

I'm thinking ice on the blades too

[SHUBA]

I would guess possible ice build up
on blades there is also the possibility if
you slammed the blades on the ice trying to
break off frozen ice and jump start the drilling you
might have slightly bent the blades throwing it out
of tune (should never do this) try sharpening them or get new ones
should fix problems
stay safe and FISH HARD WATER

[Big Ice Hole]

Just a thought! Are you turning it in the right direction?

[SHUBA]

Just a thought! Are you turning it in the right direction?

that's a real good thought it could be like one of those
left handed screwdrivers lol

[Idahogator]

Just a thought! Are you turning it in the right direction?

     I know !

    You thought this was the joke thread.   

[bigace]

Yes it's being turned in the right direction lol!!! you would think having a degree in criminology and criminal justice I'd have some knowledge of how an auger works

[skifisher]

...I have a "degree" in iceology and augerism, and I still need to make sure I'm screwing the right way! 😜😝😂
Big ice was just trying to help.

[bearlake16]

Use your pistol to start the hole.  strange it would not dig and your dad cut him self. Hope it was not to bad. Every hand auger I have had always cut. Do you leave the auger in a half cut hole to keep it stored while on the ice? I see people doing it all the time and it will bend damage the blades. Or get ice build up.

[aschack]

Really

[Pickeralpicker91]

I'm almost positive it was ice on the blades.   It happens to me on cold days and when there is lots of slush around/in the holes. I just very very carefully tap the base of thr blades where they attached to the auger with something solid until the ice falls off.  Don't go anywhere near the edge of the blade or hit it hard.  Just give it some light taps until the ice comes off.

[VTMatt]

Ice on blades for sure.

[Yoopergirl]

I've found if its really cold/slushy and get ice buildup you can just start drilling another hole (just a couple rotations) after your last one you plan on using and it will clear the water/slush off the blades.  Then put the cover on.  This doesn't really help with buildup on the rest of the auger tho, that just gets knocked off with the scoop.

[fricknfishn]

Bring out a small torch or a lighter and heat up the blade a little before you start or when you think ice starts to build up. Or your heater

[fishonthebrain]

I've hung my auger in a open hole to prevent ice build up. Same concept as an underwater tip-up spool being submerged.

[jiml]

Iced up blades or you bent them by putting it down hard on the ice.

My brother borrowed my Nils a few years ago. I had that thing for 5 seasons and it cut like a Lazer. He uses it one time and they were all bent up. He was slamming it on the ice to "dig it in" before drilling. Yeah he paid for a new blade.

[Lobes]

Double check tightness of the mounting screws for the blades. If they're just slightly loose they won't stay at the proper angle to the ice.
Also -
 if the blades ever came off for resharpening or for any other reason, make sure someone didn't put them back on upside down.

                                                                                   
Lobes

[fishermantim]

Bottom line...check the blades FIRST.

If loose, tighten
If coated with ice warm up to release the ice. **DO NOT BANG IT TO TRY AND DISLODGE THE ICE**
If blade(s) get bent, replace them and start over again!

I only replace mine when they really don't cut at all, and that's usually after running into stuff buried in the snow and ice (sand, dirt, wood ash, ETC...)

Take care and they should last many seasons!

[dekatronic]

I've broken a blade while drilling which ended the day pretty quickly. Ever since then I pack an extra set of blades and a wrench. I don't know why your augers aren't working, but I'd recommend bringing extra blades so you're still able to drill holes.

[perch chacer]

Your problem is ice frozen between the two blades at the center.  Once this area is plugged with frozen ice our auger will not cut or cut badly.   The way this happens most often is when you lay the wet auger end in the snow and the snow turns to slush and freezes between the blades.   Do not try to hammer the ice free, guarantee you will hit the blade edge and damage the blades.  Hold over your heater and melt it away or best yet, when you lay your wet auger down kick away the snow down to the ice than lay the blade end down.  Even the pros will forget and freeze up their blades.   One good thing, you probably have two good auger now, the old one and the new one.

[Gavins1800]

I've never had the problem maybe try a different location