Rookie with a Power Auger

[akcarpenter]

HI all,

Was hoping for some basic instructions on the use of power augers.  I have a 9' Eskimo Mako, and have drilled about 12 holes with it so far and have had a few questions come up while doing so, and hopeful someone can clear up or help me work out a better technique.

1.  The Ice is about 36" thick, i often drill about half way than pull the auger out than start anew, seems to work better than just drilling all the way down.

2.  At times the auger seems to get stuck and i end up having to "pump" it up/down a few times to get it drilling again, is this normal?

Any tips on auger use/ease would be most appreciated.

Thank you,

Paul

[snopro31]

use some weight when it gets stuck. 

dont bang it up and down or your blades will be crappy. 

i currently drill through 40+inchs of ice now and i use and extension and just power my way through.  just lean on your auger to get it through some of the ice as the old ice is at the bottom and is usually the worst ice.

[akcarpenter]

Thanks for the advice. 

[Walltrout]

use some weight when it gets stuck. 

dont bang it up and down or your blades will be crappy. 

i currently drill through 40+inchs of ice now and i use and extension and just power my way through.  just lean on your auger to get it through some of the ice as the old ice is at the bottom and is usually the worst ice.

I use the opposite tactic when an auger bogs down at the bottom.  I lift it up so it gets going again. Then I set it back down and don't use any pressure at all.  That way it lets the blades do the cutting without being bogged down.  Sometimes it takes a couple of trys. 


I would think adding weight would cause it to bog down more.  Anyone else have any advice?

[Medson25]

I agree. I always pull my auger back up a little until it gets going again, then put it back down very gently so the blades do the work and not the weight of the auger or me.

[Mainedog]

I think clearing the snow and chips out of the hole, creates less resistance to the turning drill.
Just don't bang it up and down.  Bend/dull the blades.  My 2hp Jiffy, I put no pressure, let the
drill do all the work.  My 3hp Jiffy, I put all my weight on it at times.  Maybe I need to sharpen
my 3hp's blades. 

[akcarpenter]

Ok seems i have the basics down than, first year with the power auger and cant believe i waited so long to buy one.  Used to be as soon as the ice passed the 2 foot mark i stopped fishing for the year.

Paul

[Mainedog]

Fishing is just getting good when it passes the 2' mark.

Heck, was out in the rain and slush the AM, the ice was still 3' thick!