how do you sharpen augers?

[Cha-Chi]

I have a 7 in" auger and i have to rotate it at least 30 or 40 times to get it through about 5 inches of ice. How do I sharpen it?

[mscy2dog]

i just seen a sharpening tool at walmart can't say how good they work didn't buy one but they were about $8.00

[iceyes6]

 Use a bout a 1/2" wide honning stone and oil. Like the ones in a knife sharpening kit. Important! Be sure to keep the same original angle on the edge. Take your time! Use a vise or something to to suport the cutting head in a comfortable possition. Hold the stone flat on the edge and go in circles until the burr is gone and the edge becomes almost invisible. You can check it out better with a magnifying glass. Probably take about 15 min. on each side. Make sure you do not sharpen the bottom or use any kind of grinder or power tool. This is for sharpening a Nils Master type head. The Strike Master style uses replacable shaving blades. This works for me and is the way Nils Master advised me to do mine.  Hope it helps!

[Ice Gido]

Check out: http://www.tonydean.com/equip.html?sectionid=3004

[elkman]

I set the blade up in a vise low enough so i can use the vise to keep the original angle and then use a hand file.Only work on the cutting side until its sharp.Then knock any burrs off of the back side and you are done.Can get a blade razor sharp this way and save alot of money doing it yourself.Just make sure to keep the original angle.

[Cha-Chi]

Thanks guys- just what I was looking for.!!

[raleigh]

In my oppinon dont sharpen the blades unless you realy realy know what your doing. Trying to sharpen the blades might do more damage than good. I found that out the hard way. Unless you realy know what your doing i would recomend just spending a little extra money and bye a new set.

[1_Pappy]

  Raleigh has the best advise you could get.  After you put your new blades on, THEN you can play with the old ones   8)

[kaptainkosmic]

i use a lansky knife sharpener. it holds the blades in a clamp & holds the stone @ any of 3 selected angles. i remove & sharpen 1 blade @ a time & i only sharpen the top! makes them razor! sharp cuts like a dream just touch them up as needed.

[reelcharacter]

I made up a wood jig with the right sanding angle and screw-attached the removed blades to it. I then fine tune adjusted the belt sander angle to the blade angle. Pivot the blade on the moving sandpaper.

Made my hand auger cut as good as new.

-reelcharacter