auger has trouble breaking through

[tonka]

I have an 8" strike master with the lazer blades and the blades are a few years old. When i first got them they cut like a million bucks but now they seem to cut ok but they have trouble breaking through the bottom of the ice. Anyone encounter this problem? Do I need new blades or do you think its a problem with the auger not turning true? Any help will be appreciated

[Norm1980]

the blades, From my experience the lazer style blades need to be sharpened each year to keep the auger cutting like new.

[Dave]

Had the same situation....ya need new blades.

[tonka]

Thanks for the advice! I figured i would ask before spending $40 on new blades.

[BartmanMN]

Before you buy the new blades, double check the 2 screws holding each blade on are nice and tight. If they are, then new blades would likely be needed.

[CAMAN]

Yup, tighten blades first, if that doesn't work get new blades.

[ozzie]

before you spend $40 go up to strikemaster in big lake and exchange them for a fraction of the cost and they will put the blades on for you and you can have them check the pithc of the auger and make sure everything is ready for the season.

[usmcjsy]

Try lifting up a bit on the auger as you break through. Just enough to to take a little pressure off. I usually have the same problem when re opening holes. That is what I found works best.

[marshmallow]

It's a Bit More Work Drilling Through Early Ice // Thin Ice.. Than Through 10" Plus Inches .. The Thicker The Ice .. The More The " Auger Flutes " Have A Wall .. To Help Drill Straight Down .. Instead Of A Bit Side // To Side Motion When Getting To Bottom Of Hole In Thin Ice .. Thus , Making It Easier To get The Blades Through In One Motion .. Any Non - Believers Of This .. Oh Well .. Thats My Thought And Stickin' To It ..

[spotty]

try buying a simple knife sharpener. Its the one with the handle and the two stone that sit in a v. I use it on my chipper blade and you won't believe the difference that little bit helps.

[Deitz Dittrich]

your blades may be out of tune too.. sometimes its important to adjust the angle of the blades, they may need a shim or something... as others have said, pull up slightly on the auger as its busting though too..

[Esox_Magnum]

One should always have a spare set of blades along no matter the brand or style of auger....

[tonka]

UPDATE: installed the new blades and it breaks through the ice just like it should. Thanks for the advice! I think I will take a "V" blade sharpener and try and sharpen my old blade for a backup.

[moraarcher]

Want to hear a funny one. My brother and cousin went togeather and bought an auger at an auction a few years back. It was a heavy older style but started and ran fine. They got it on the ice and fired it up and it wouldn't go down more that 1/2" and they were hanging on it. They took it to the local bait shop where the owner told them that was a mighty fine post hole digger....

[gman2002]

as far as the strikmaster blades go , don't use the hand sharpenener. I have a sharpening buisness and have seen many many blades that they tried to sharpen with those and pretty much just rounded the edge, in fact i just had 3 sets dropped off yesterday that they tried to use the hand sharpener and it wasn't pretty. They would probably work for a touch up on the ice for jiffy blades or any flat blade but don't try it with strikemaster blades. for what i can sharpen them for just give me a call