fishwacker1

hsolist I just won a 2704 with 2 5a xc batteries with a charger and hard case brand new for 203$. Ive been looking for deals and was tired of waiting. So i went to the auction page

I started with a Jiffy 30 - heavy beast (sold it). Went to a Strikemaster... the 224 bit was better than the motor (sold it). Bought a 6" NILS hand auger for the walkable fishing times. Light weight and not a big deal for holes up to 12" thickness. Found a Tanaka power head TED-270 for 270$ a couple years ago. I use the 6" bit / Tanaka motor combo whenever not in the wheel house. This year in March I bought a 10" bit for the ION on sale for 112$ and had my machinist friend make an adapter for the motor. Spins true just need ice to test it out. I figure if a battery can spin it - so can the rpms of the Tanaka. The 10" holes for the perm will be nice. I have the 8" nils drill with both heads, power point and regular. Not the very best for reopening holes - and brought me to research the ion bit for that. If this setup works I'll be selling the 8" nils to fund some other crazy idea I've got. I'm into GAS motors!!! There are many options out there. Sometimes you need to think out of the box.

6" Nils hand auger. First and foremost you need to get through the ice. I have never used anything easier by hand and sure others will agree. Even with 30" of ice I could drill a couple holes by hand without a heart attack and fish some gps coordinates for an afternoon. I bought mine on clearance for 90$ 3 years ago. I just seen some in stock going for 109$. Have to be on the ball when these go on sale. They go fast. Save your change, recycle, ten dollars a week into a kitty etc until you have 360$ for Tanaka TED-270PFDH. Only thing I have done to it is replaced the stock champion spark plug to a NGK just on preference. Industrial Grade. Sure many people are not fans of 6" hole. For my permanent I recently purchased a 10" ion bit and having my friend machine an adapter to spin it with the Tanaka. Figured if a battery can spin it so should the Gasser.

You need angle iron at the middle pin for side to side movement.

I was always a believer since buying a 6" hand auger what seems like a decade ago. I've had the Tanaka power head and 8" bit now for two full years of ice. Never been really happy with it. I get the death wobble and think that the bit tightened to the collar is not machined right. I've done countless searches and saw comments about adding crush washers, check the bit for warpage, how to tighten the bolt to the flat.. etc. Considering the amount of posts about having to send new blades to Frank for correction after just being bought and my issue leaves me sad for what should be a great product. Frank does do a great job and even better customer service responding to emails. The wobble affects the cut at the end of a fresh hole and if I ever want to reopen a hole in the perm. It is so bad that I often think that the blade will be damaged permanently. The strike master 224 that I sold to buy this never gave me any problems besides bit ice up from using it so much. Anyone with suggestions or know of a Tanaka or Nils dealer representative that could try my auger and tell me what to do? I have the power point and regular blade for it. I like the power point because with the wobble its easier to guide and start a hole.

I work outside in the arctic circle. When I get home it's harder to get motivated when it's winter. My bones are frozen for two weeks at a time.

Insulated Neos overshoes do it for me. The ones I wear in the Arctic Circle everyday for work are great. Search Explorer STABILicers Mid, Black. Wear over your regular insulated hunting boots. Just slip off in order to drive back home. Ice studs built in so no slipping. I wear these in temps to -60 up here near Deadhorse AK over my Chippewa Arctic 50 work boots everyday.

Insulated Neos overshoes do it for me. The ones I wear in the Arctic Circle everyday for work are great. Search Explorer STABILicers Mid, Black. Wear over your regular insulated hunting boots. Just slip off in order to drive back home. Ice studs built in so no slipping. I wear these in temps to -60 up here near Deadhorse AK over my Chippewa Arctic 50 work boots everyday.

I've got a "cabin" medium Canvas Craft in Waconia. Set up with bench seat. I'll be home December 14th for a week. Let me know if you want to check it out. Jesse

I have a pair of white beta bunny's I'd trade for a case of suds. Size 9m. I wear a 10 boot. I live by Waconia MN. Jesse

I want to throw in my two cents. currently I work up by Prudhoe bay Alaska doing inspections for the pipeline. They issue everyone a pair of insulated "NEOS OVERSHOES" for the arctic weather. Specifically the Explorer STABILicers Mid, Black They go on and off fast and easy. Warm as hell over your normal insulated work or hunting boot, and have screw in stabilizers for the ice. I have a pair of Cabela's Saskatchewan Pac Boots that stay in the closet now because they are difficult to drive in and switching boots to drive stinks cause after a day on the hard water who wants to put on cold driving shoes. Check it out, and hope this info helps at least one person...

Best hand auger hands down. Bought the power 8" to compliment my arsenal and love it. Fast and light. Only problem i've had is reopening holes. I bought on the previous postings that it worked fine but have had issues of it opening them back up. Even after blade change, and sharpening from Frank. Need a different solution for the wheel house.

Honda for strictly work. Yamaha for fun while working, trail riding and hole hopping.

I've used mine in my Aluminum Lund Boats since owned. I just dump a Bottle of water back by the plug and lay my transducer next to it. The sound travels through the aluminum and gives me accurate depths. Use it for depth more than for fish location. Although I did notice a school and sure enough stopped boat and nailed crappies.

If you guys are near Waconia I'll let you try the NILS any day of the week. Jesse

Thanks Jim, Just was not sure if the head of allen was recessed and flush. Your pics solved it. Will take the silver adapter to the store with me. Have a good one. Jesse

Any specific length and diameter that I need to search for at the hardware store??? Pic on assembly would be awesome.

Just received the new NILS 8" with Tanaka Power head TED-270PFDH today. I am currently doing the break in with 50:1 amsoil saber idling it for 20 minutes then going out and running it at various throttle speeds for a minute or two. Also am cycling choke back and forth at full speed because I read it lubricates something or another. Anyway. Can anyone tell me or post a picture how the bit attaches to the motor? The Tanaka head has the silver adapter with one hole bigger on one side than the other. There was no hardware shipped with it "as a bolt" to mount the shaft(cutting bit) to drill adapter.. Any help is appreciated. Thank you for reading. Jesse

I had the same issue with my pivot axles a few years back while going to Ridgewater college in Hutch. The welding instructor told me that his Dad does repairs and also sells fish house trailers. Google Eastling Welding in Cokato. Close to Buffalo back roads. With repairs made, new winch system painted think it came to 750.00$. They moved the pivot to about 6" back from center too so the tongue was not so heavy. Previous welder never thought of picking it up off the ice for moving. I think it was a good repair at a fair price. I do not have pics though because it never got out of farm storage this year. Good luck

Where are you from? Might get better responses if we all know your location. JK

Test.

Look, I had a Glens Army hub for one season that had no issues with what so ever. Believe they use the clam hub system. I sold it since not used for a year working - no fishing, and recently purchased a Eskimo quick fish 3 since I cannot find a way to bring the quad and Otter along with no trailer. It's been a month now and 2 poles have went out of socket. I am tired of the repairs by "ME". After all the research on this site I thought the Quick-fish was good to go. Will FFarm take this back after buying it DEC. 22nd? I still like and need a hub shack. Anyone with suggestions? Plus... I take the best care of all my equipment. There was no way possible that operator caused this. That"s why I am so disgusted. You can clearly see where the aluminum in the hubs is wearing and letting the pins plow through. JK

I bought a pair of Arctic Spurs many years ago from Gander. Still going strong. Easy and cheap.. The bands have been fine in cold temps, keep them in my truck. So impressed have another pair in case these go bad. For 14.99$ best I have found. I did add a 1" key chain split ring to the inside to make hooking easier on both cleats.

Seen a white house with a corner in on Black Lake "Minnetonka" today. Waconia East side access is chewed up and partially open. JK