eskimo mako problem or ice conditions?

[stealth3350]

i was using my new mako today and was wondering if this is normal... so i started drilling when i got two the last 2 inches the auger would stop turning so i would have to back it out.. now the ice conditions were 2 inches of white ice then the whole would start to fill with water..then 6 more inches of white snow.. 4-5 inches of clear ice.. the whole time drilling there was water in the hole.. would this be reason for the auger to stop?

[Ed Carlson]

Largely ice conditions I suspect. Find some hard ice, and compare it once.

The depth of the cut for the metering system on an Eskimo auger tends to grad in conditions like you faced. A few more outings with it and you should get the feel of the auger and what it's telling you.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Many augers have this happen. Its when the blade breaks through but the rest does not. The closer you get to the bottom of the ice, start to pull up on the auger, giving it less bite. .it will not grab as bad as you are describing. Just know. A lot of augers do this.

[Surface Tension]

That soft wet ice is harder to cut. Instead of shaving it off the blade takes a deep gouge and will stop the auger.

It is nothing to do with Eskimo as they all will do that. Once things firm up I'll bet that you won't have any problems.

[MN BassFisher]

I had this happen with my OLD Strikemaster Magnum III the other day (I don't have much experience with gas augers) and I thought it was the auger. Then the next two people I spoke with assured me a lot of augers do that. You just have to get the feel. When I would get hung up on the last inch or two, I thought putting more pressure on it would help....I was informed I was wrong. Your suppose to do the opposite and put less pressure on it or let up once you near the bottom of the ice. At least that's what my buddy and father said. The Mako is on sale at FF this week for $254!! I'm heading there to grab one today!

[mww24]

yep less pressure. It's just like a drill bit. When it starts opening the hole the blades want to catch on what ice is left. Forcing it will make it want to grab the ice more. Let the blades do the work. it shouldn't take much muscle at all. they are a great auger. I've had mine for 3 years and it has ran like a champ. Make sure you summerize it though. I didn't after my first winter. it gummed up the carb. After cleaning it it ran perfect again and has started right up the last two winters with proper care.

[Hakksaww]

Happens more with "agressive" bits! Whatever you do, don't bounce it!

Ease back up, crank her up, and ease through. Mine always grabs at the last bit.

[jBohmer]

Hacksa

Happens more with "agressive" bits! Whatever you do, don't bounce it!

Ease back up, crank her up, and ease through. Mine always grabs at the last bit.

Hakksaww,

You have won the best avatar pic in my opinion. One of my favorite wrestlers when I was young.