Strikemaster Solo not drilling properly

[fisherman-andy]

Since purchasing the Laser Pro Solo 8" I am finding that it really doesnt cut any faster then say my 9" Eskimo Z51. I think this has to do with the Auger & blades itself not cutting properly.

I know that your not suppose to push down on the auger as its own weight is suppose to drill for you. I'll add I never had to do that with the Eskimo either. I've also never had to prime 5-8 times and pull 3-8 times just to start it like the Solo. Im seeing some cons in that.

Right out of the box it seemed fast and furious. Spins faster then any auger i've ever owned and it did seemed at the time to drill down by its own weight.

Well I today I decided I would tighten the blades cause I didnt do it right out of the box after watching the strikemaster video. Made sure they were nice and tight.

Took the Solo out to the lake and it would not drill by its own weight? Check the ice, check the blades, checked everything in working good order. I noticed after tightening the blades the screws dont sit flush on the blades bottom.

Tried drilling in some different areas of the lake and found that it would drill differently? Im guessing this is due to how the ice forms on that area of the lake? Some spots it would just drill about a foot and no longer drills further. Just keep spinning. Regardless it doesnt drill by its own weight after about a 1/2 - 1 ft cut deep.

Even if I push down on the auger during the drill I find it difficult that it isnt cutting the ice like it supposed too. Finally frustrated with it I put it away for the moment and pull out the reliable Z51 Eskimo which has Zero issues. Im almost having a feeling if I put the Eskimo bit on the Solo it would cut like raging ape.

Someone please tell me what is wrong or what I am doing wrong.

[jwmiller33]

With the symptoms you are describing, it is usually one of a few things. My first guess would be dull blades and/or center point. Try replacing the blades or filing the center point. If the blades and center point aren't dull, then I would guess your auger shaft is probably bent. Another possibility is the angle the blades are sitting is wrong. In your case, it doesn't sound like the blades are grabbing enough of the ice.

[fisherman-andy]

I dont believe so. The blades are brand new and the Auger has only been out of the box 2 weeks old. The center point is sharp and not dull. The Solo was used last week and it cut without any down pressure. It only exhibited this behavior after I tightened the blades. It does not wobble.

I have cut using other Solo's before too and it feels the similiar however those would cut with their own weight. Only mines wont cut properly. If I bring it to a different parts of the lake it does cut fine then if another hole it doesnt? Its got me scratching my head.

[Northlander]

I think you through the pitch off when tightening the blades down. Maybe too tight. Loosen them up a tad and try it. If it still does it get it to strikemaster and have them check the pitch.

[fisherman-andy]

I think you through the pitch off when tightening the blades down. Maybe too tight. Loosen them up a tad and try it. If it still does it get it to strikemaster and have them check the pitch.

I was thinking of that. But didnt bring any tools with me on the lake. Will have to see if that would work as the only thing I changed was the tightening of the blades...

[jwmiller33]

So obviously when you tightened the blades, you tweeked something. The only thing you that would be able to be tweeked by tightening the blades is the angle they are sitting at. The area you are on the lake should have no affect on your ability to drill thru the ice.

How loose were the blades before you tightened them? If it was cutting fine before that, I wouldn't have messed with the blade tightness. The old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. My logic tells me you tightened the blades too much, causing the angle they sit at to be off ever so slightly which makes a large impact on how well the auger cuts because it either grabs too much or not enough ice.

[fisherman-andy]

It cuts the ice very very fine now that you mentioned it. It leaves the hole a lot cleaner then it did before too. If I add some light downward pressure it will cut the whole. The result is the same with heavier down pressure.

I guess the next step is to back track like you said and undo the changes.