Author Topic: hand auger (Read 900 times)

59Cummins · « **on:** Dec 16, 2013, 07:24 PM »

Auger question. Used my garage sale special blue Eskimo auger for the first time Saturday and it was rough going. It took me a solid 20min and I think a stroke to get through 12". It just walked and jumped around. Its a 8" auger but when it was all said and done I had a 14" hole.
So tonight I took a closer look and the blades had been resharpened. Seems to me the bottom of the blade should be flat not beveled like they are? Also if I stand it up on the work bench and hold it level only one blade touches. Shouldn't both touch in the center? Nothing appears bent and the blades aren't adjustable so I'm stumped.
Anyone got some insight as to the problem? Is something tweeked or do I just need to true up and hone the blades?

Another idea I had on top of all this was to get a heavy thread lag and cut it off and weld it in the middle. Kind of like a center punch. Anybody done this or is that a dumb idea?

Need to get her tuned up befors the weekend cause after Saturday's action I'm hooked! Thanks for the help.

pirkaus · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 07:39 PM »

Some pictures may help with finding the issue
But the blades may be ruined by bad sharpening, or installed incorrectly
Additionally the blades may need to be shimmed to get the alignment correct
Hope this helps, and welcome to the site
Pirk

spudsaway · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 07:48 PM »

Hay guys I am at work and cannot see my auger I am pretty sure this guys blades are in upside down. Bottom should be flat bevel on the top. Almost positive but my auger is home in the garage not here in my car. And if upside down would they also not be in backwards.. By the effort he put in even dull blades and a bent auger he would of been done quicker that that.

The truth is that a good augar banged down hard by some fool looking to knock off the ice will get warped and messed up.. They have to hit the ice at just the correct angle to cut smooth. I think your blades are in wrong, that would be the best thing for you. If you can a picture would tell the guys out here on line all you need to know.

Fishrmn · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 08:30 PM »

One more thing to watch out for. Are you drilling with both arms? Or are you drilling "brace and bit style"? I watched a real comedy of errors one day while three guys tried to use a brace and bit style auger using the both arms motion. They drilled the type of hole you're describing. They couldn't figure it out. They even tried with two guys holding the shaft of the auger, trying to keep it straight while the other guy drilled. After I quit laughing I walked over and showed them what they were doing wrong.

DON'T put a lag bolt in the center. I know a guy that tried that too. Of course he would pound that into the ice and then try to auger into the ice. He asked to borrow my auger when he couldn't get his to even get to the blades. When he pounded my auger against the ice, I lost my composure. Screamed a couple of obscenities and told him to never do that again. I asked him if he would take a drill bit out of the chuck, hammer the bit into a piece of wood, or metal, put it back in the chuck and start drilling? Or just put the drill against the material and start drilling?

Indiana_Lou · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 08:50 PM »

59, Sounds like the blades are installed wrong. The flat is on the bottom and the bevel on top as "Spud" said. And also sometimes a metal shim to tweak the angle works. I've used small pieces of an aluminum beverage can as a shim. Lou

Iceaddict12 · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 09:20 PM »

Try welding a screw into the auger that way it pulls into the ice

FG Steve · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 09:21 PM »

If the blades aren't installed wrongly, then it's replacement time.

59Cummins · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 09:43 PM »

Alright got some pictures to clarify.

As you can see the "flat" side is down but there is a bevel to it. Is this supposed to be like this or is this the results of someone resharpening incorrectly? I would assume they should be flat as the bevel would cause lifting. Also you can see how the tips in the center aren't level. Seems to me if both tips aren't touching with even pressure on the ice it would cause my wondering.

As far as proper technic I only see one way to use it with one hand on top applying steady pressure and the other cranking away

spudsaway · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 10:56 PM »

Blades look pooched by who ever tried to sharpen them.. You need new ones. I think the bevel was a Little messed as well , but the new blades will make a big difference.

gsp · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 11:24 PM »

Just do yourself a favor and get a fin bore auger. The are a wicked hand auger and available in canada. Its the best ice fishing purchase i have made yet. Even with new blades on your auger it wont cut half as good as the old fin bore. Just my 2 cents.

Crappielover89 · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 12:40 AM »

ya.... replace them.... they are spent..... it will be worth it.....

jimyoumook · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 06:45 AM »

the blades are toast time for new ones

rdhammah · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 06:54 AM »

aren't the blades the wrong size?

shaftthrower · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 06:58 AM »

Quote from: rdhammah on Dec 17, 2013, 06:54 AM

aren't the blades the wrong size?

Looks like it to me also! Plus looks like bottom of blade was filed on.

59Cummins · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 09:11 AM »

Ok. So blades are spent and possibly the wrong size. What size do I need? Are they not supposed to stick out past the auger? Is this why it doesn't sit flat? The fact that it doesn't sit flat has me puzzled. Don't want to invest in new blades if its tweeked.

boder · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 09:24 AM »

i agree i think those blades are the wrong size which would explain one of the reasons you got such a big hole when you were done drilling. i would assume you need 6" blades but could be 7" to. only thing i would suggest is trial and error as far as which ones are the correct size.

tomturkey · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 09:28 AM »

It appears to me that you can use Mora blades on the auger. They are way better quality blades than the Chineeeezy blades that Eskimo uses.

3300 · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 09:32 AM »

call/email manufacture to find out right length or pull a new one out of a box and measure them for the same one you have or go to a shop and measure the replacement blades for what yours is supposed to be. but then then it will say fits such and such auger and just buy them or a better auger, you'd think

the blades you have looks like some one ground the bottoms of it and thats a no no too beside being nicked hard and worn/ground out of shape

i wouldn't fool with that one any more
in fact, if you come over i will give you one in better shape than that one for free, just to get it out of my house

major257 · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 10:34 AM »

Stop wasting time and money on a used auger. You may put new blades on it and find out that the thing was bent and it still won't cut. I hate to see anyone buy a used auger of any type. There has to be a reason it is for sale.

59Cummins · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 12:44 PM »

Alright, after looking at the replacement blades for $30 and a new auger at Cabela's for $50 I'm not going to take the chance. The old man I bought it off said he go a power auger and the thing worked great. Guess you can't trust folks any more

Looks like the brother n law is getting a hand me down auger for Christmas

Thanks for all the help.

By chance 3300 where are you located in Colorado?

3300 · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 12:57 PM »

visited there at grand junction and have family there too, but nope, in michigan
if you get over this way some time, it will probably still be collecting cob webs and dust tho. so pm if you want it

i have three of them one blue and 2 blacks. i'm keeping the black ones. the blue was a hand me down too and was paying it forward

59Cummins · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 01:36 PM »

Alright, well I don't see myself back in the mid-west before Sat. so I will just have to buy a new one. Thanks for the offer and a Merry Christmas to you.

rabbittrapper · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 02:09 PM »

Wrong size blade and the look like they are put on the opposite side than their supposed to be on.

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Author Topic: hand auger (Read 900 times)