IceLeaders Platinum Sponsor - Nils Master Ice Augers

[croixflats]

Yes, the blade does cut through butter like a hot knife. Twice last year my blades dulled. First time was my fault I fished next to a sand bar that was wind swept onto the ice, the blade didn't last the day. I purchased a second bit, lasted the rest of the winter, and I was mindful of where I drilled but I was fishing in an area with a lot of traffic and that blade needs to be sharpened now.

I just wish they would offer a chipper blade for cases like this. The power head undoubtedly can handle one. Either way I am sticking with the Nils. Love it.

[buddha]

I have an odd question. The coupling where you bolt into the shaft seems to have an unusual amount of play. The shaft isn't bent at all, but where you attach the auger shaft to the powerhead, the silver piece, the shaft wiggles and is more pronounced when drilling. I checked the bolt again today to make sure it was tight. Does anyone else have that issue? Love the auger to death but I swear it's been that way since I bought it.

Did I explain this ok? Do I possibly have a defect? Any info would be great. Thanks,

[DRH1175]

Does the outdoor pro store have a location? Or is it an online store only. I have never seen the nils in person and am going back and fourth against the strikemasters and want to see them. Or is there anywhere else that sells them in MN?

[Esox_Magnum]

Mine wobbles a little to but don't affect the drilling.

DRH I'm sure someone in your area owns one and would gladly let you try it out, your welcome to try mine buy you'll have to come to NW Iowa. You wont be dissapointed.

[Nilsfisher]

DHR,

I have had my Nils for 3 winters now and I have not had to sharpen the blades and I love the auger. I have the 8 inch and won't go with any other auger. the great thing too is that the power head will bolt right up to the hand one if I ever want to go power, but I like the light weight and ease of use that the hand auger has.

If people are worried about the play between the coupler and the auger shaft, take a bike inner tube or metal shim and put it on the shaft and then put the coupler over that, it will help with the play and not put any wear on the paint or steel on the auger shaft.

[buddha]

That's a great idea on the inner tube idea. I will do that this weekend.

Thanks,

[Mike Stark]

just got my blade back from surface tension....the blade is sharper than when i first got it!

thanks frank.

[Todd_J]

Started up my Nils tonight after sitting idle for 8 months... Started on the third pull. Let'er Rip!

[Nilsfisher]

had the Nils hand auger out on the ice saturday. 7 inches of good solid ice and cut through in 10 seconds. I wasn't putting pressure on it at all. augered about 10 holes no problem and wasn't tired.

Nils is the way to go.

[fishmaster LOW]

Where can a guy buy the yellow auger bit cover? I was out on the lake last year and didn't notice it fell off. Went back but couldn't find it. I have one from my spare bit that I'm using now but would like another.

[Warren]

Directly from Nil's Master

"We have all 3 sizes available. Your cost $10.00/ea for the 4.5" and 6" covers and $15.00 for the 8" cover.

Brgds,

JP

[email protected]

[Bassinbob84]

Just got my first nils. The first day I took it out worked amazing. After that the blade started getting stuck in the ice while drilling. I have figured out I have to lift up on the auger to keep it from happening. It's like the blade digs faster and harder than the motor can handle?By lifting it up it only gets stuck once every hole or two? Does anyone have any tips on this? I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or need to visit a machine shop for some mod work.

[Borch]

These Tanaka motors require a break in. Usually about one tank of fuel before they cut good. After that it just gets better and better.

[Bassinbob84]

I also have the gas mixed 30:1 for the first couple tanks. I thought about it after I posted. That could be part of the problem too.

Does the cold bloodness go away too?

[Jim Almquist]

I also have the gas mixed 30:1 for the first couple tanks. I thought about it after I posted. That could be part of the problem too.

Does the cold bloodness go away too?

If you are using standard 2 cycle oil at 30:1 that very well could cause your problem. Once your motor is broke in it will run a lot better. When I broke mine in I mixed up Amsoil at 80:1 and took off the lower unit and started it up and set it on my deck and every 20 minuets or so I would go out and rev it up and hold it wide open for a short while till I had ran out almost 3 tanks. I still run it today at 80:1 and it seems like it is still breaking in cause it seems to get better with age. I am on my 3rd year and have cut a ton of holes.

[Bassinbob84]

The manual it cam with suggested 25:1 - 50:1 very confusing. I am using Stihl chainsaw oil. I wasn't really sure what to mix at so I figured run the first gallon a little rich at 30:1 then figured I would switch to 50:1. Maybe I should do so sooner by the sounds of it.

[Esox_Magnum]

Nils recomended me to break mine in at 50-1 using Amsoil Saber, after break in they sad anything up to 100-1 was ok as long as I used Amsoil Saber.

[Todd_J]

I broke mine in with 50:1 using the Tanaka 2cycle oil. After breaking it in over three tanks I switched over to Amsoil and now I run that.

After a full season of use, the engine just keeps getting more torque and "umpha"

I can see running it @30:1 would make it rum boggy or with less power....

My advice is to lose the Stihl mix and switch to something with a better formulation.

Cheers.

[Gordie]

I got to use a Nils for the first time on saturday and I was really impressed I have never ran an auger that cut that nice I own two SM and my sis inlaw works there so I always thought that would be the best auger to get but I belive I am WRONG and the next new auger I purchase will be a NILS Master

Thank you for letting me cut those holes with your auger Dtro.

[DTro]

I got to use a Nils for the first time on saturday and I was really impressed I have never ran an auger that cut that nice I own two SM and my sis inlaw works there so I always thought that would be the best auger to get but I belive I am WRONG and the next new auger I purchase will be a NILS Master

Thank you for letting me cut those holes with your auger Dtro.

I seem to get that a lot Elwood.

Glad you liked it. Hope your auger elbow is doing better.

[Bassinbob84]

I'll have to go pick up some amsoil saber does fleet farm sell it?

Thanks for all the help

[thedeadsea]

Just purchased a Nils manual auger and am very impressed.

Where can I buy the coupler to mount it to a powerhead?

Steve

[BuckyBadger]

Hey Guys, breaking in my Nils, took it to the ice the first time this weekend. As suggested by others on here, I am running Amsoil Saber at 50:1 for breakin. I ran one and half tanks through without the auger attached. Does take awhile with it running on the deck at idle. Some things I have noticed/questions for you Nils owners.

1. I was getting some vibration at idle, not always but then all of a suddent it would vibrate like crazy, I will adjust the low idle screw as suggested on the board. I noticed at idle when I put the auger on it would spin, so sounds like I need to dial it down or should I wait for the 50:1 mixture to be done first before I mess around with this? also maybe a dumb question, is my true idle the speed when the choke is full/closed or off/open?

2. Questions on choke/running, I fire it up after 5 primes and about 6 pulls with choke closed/Full, I can only bump the choke open a tiny bit to keep it running at idle, if I go to half or open on the choke it quits unless I have throttle applied. So this weekend I would start it and let it warm up at idle with choke just above closed/Full, I would then need to hit throttle and open the choke up at the same time to keep it running and punch some holes. But have to keep feathering the throttle between holes. Is this due to break in? Seems to be getting fuel fine, I see some air bubble in the fuel line from the vibrations. Should I be able to open the choke to half or open and have it idle or do I need to wait to I change to an 80:1 or leaner ratio?

3. I had some play in the auger when I attached it, the "wobble" it cut fine, but I took it off and then reattached and put some strength to the screw when attaching and it took care of almost all of the wobble, it if comes back I may try the rubber bike tire trick.

4. Finally, what a cutting machine! The good news the last two days is I got more breakin than anticipated when my friends would punch holes with it and say wow.

maybe getting ahead of myself considering I am only on the 3rd tank of gas at 50:1 but wanted to make sure all was going well so far.

Thanks for the help.

[Northlander]

On warm days I dont choke at all. On cold days I hit the primer ball 2-3 times and start at no choke. After 2-4 pulls it fires up and then I switch to full choke, warm it up a minute and then go swiss cheese some ice.

If you have wobble you either have tightening to do or have to turn the shaft assembly 180 and then tighten up. One will take care of the problem. No tire/tube should be needed.

[trapperdirk]

Wow you actually let others run your Nils ? I have let a couple guys just try mine and as soon as they punch the first hole and still have that shocked look of surprise and amazement in their eyes I'm grabbing for mine back .

Don't let anybody use your Nils other than maybe a single hole as a test while you stand over them with a chisel or bat .

You can watch but not touch is mostly my motto when it comes to my Nils .

TD