nils 6 inch auger blade

[MikeRaetz]

Well I just found out a couple nights ago that the 6 inch nils bit is bent and wont cut ice. I have looked and talked with cabelas and was told it would be 6 weeks before I would get it so now im in kind of a pickle. If anyone has or knows of any used blades that just need to be sharpened and not bent let me know.

Thanks everyone!!

[Surface Tension]

Mike, its pretty rare that a 6" Nils blade needs to be reshaped(bent)

but if it does, that is covered when I sharpen.

[DTro]

I’m not sure I understand? You purchased a blade from Cabelas, but then found out it was bent? Are you sure it was bent and not just dinged or dull.

Surface Tension (Frank) can work wonders on a Nils blade and if you still have it, I would send it up to him. I’ve heard of a lot of Bargain Cave buys of bad blades that were shipped to him and came back like new.

[harvey lee]

+1 on what Dtro stated.

[FearNoFish]

I to bought a blade from Cabela's and right away had to had have it sharpened, sent to Surface Tension what a great job. You might think new is good but send it to him and it will be sharp when you get it back. I thought mine was bent or screwed up in some way but it came back cutting like ice was nothing. Just waiting to get out this year.

[Jim Almquist]

If its in the bargain cave more than likely it was returned and for a good reason. Send it to Surface Tension and he will get it in better shape than new. At some point it is a good idea to have a spare as well so there is never any down time.

[GatorBait]

Yep, Suface tension just finished my blade up. I tested it out on my palm today, cuts like a hot knife through butter let me tell ya. Just need ice to really test it out truely but I highly doubt there will be an issue. This guy knows what he's doing.

[MikeRaetz]

I bought my nils augers from a private seller. The blade is very very sharp and would cut my finger clean off if i tried. I called cabelas since they are the only place that carry's nils and was told it would be 6 weeks before i could get a new blade because they are on backorder. im not to mad since i got 2 tanaka motors an 8 inch auger and 6 as well as an extra 8 inch blade for $150. I am more bummed that i can't use it right away. I put it on the ice to cut and nothing. It might need to be sharpened which i hope that is the problem. Frank, how much do you charge? I will send it right away!!

[Northlander]

Call Russ at Marine General in Duluth and see if he has any 6" Nils blades. I know he used to. They ship daily. If not e-mail me and I will see about getting you one as soon as I can. You have now found out why no matter what auger you have you should always have at least 1 spare set of blades.

[blackdog1101]

Why is it that Nils blades are so finicky? I got my 8" Nils last year and it cut like a champ. But this thread has me wondering if I'm just one of the lucky ones who got a good blade. Good advice about getting a back up blade. I'll be looking into that ASAP.

[Esox_Magnum]

I got 5years on my first blade, would have been more but hit some weeds buried in the ice.... Frank fixed it up better than new...

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I bought a back-up blade when I bought my Nils and never regretted that move. I have never had my blades get so dull that they would not cut but change them every fall and send the used blade to Frank for sharpening just so I have a spare in case I really do need it.

Cliff

[MikeRaetz]

Getting it packed up today and sending it out to Frank!!!

[Jim Almquist]

I used mine for 4 years before I had Frank sharpen it. I thought it was still cutting great until I used a sharp blade. Difference was Night and Day .

[Northlander]

Why is it that Nils blades are so finicky? I got my 8" Nils last year and it cut like a champ. But this thread has me wondering if I'm just one of the lucky ones who got a good blade. Good advice about getting a back up blade. I'll be looking into that ASAP.

I havent found my Nils blades to be any worse than any other shaver bladed auger I have ran. I send mine to Frank every year because I like them cutting like a hot knife through butter but I know I went 3 plus years on my 1st blades before Frank started sharpening blades.

You wont believe how sharp Frank can get them. I would say they cut better than new when he is done with them.

[laker1]

I have had a 8 inch Nils for 2 winters, still cuts like new ,does it get like some ice augars and just like a light switch and it won't cut at all? Or does it go down hill slowly?

Second question is I really don't know why I would need a 6 inch nils when the 8 inch cuts so easily. Does anybody have both ? How about you 6 inch augar owners,are you satisfied?

[dfeste]

I've got a 6" Nils and am very happy with it. I fish for crappie and stream trout and that is plenty of hole for me. The big advantage of the 6" blade is that it cuts through quicker and easier than a larger blade. I've had no problem going through 18" of ice with it on the hand auger.

Can't answer for sure but about getting dull but when I was making arrangements with Frank to get mine sharpened he asked if it was still cutting. Maybee they do fade quickly. I'll continue to get mine sharpened yearly to stay on the safe side.

[Surface Tension]

When they are sharp they'll cut great.

As time goes on they can dull but not from cutting 100% ice.

There has to be some sand or dirt to dull them.

That can happen slowly, so slow that you don't notice it and over time you notice a difference.

Or you can drill on ice with sand, drill in 2' of water and hit bottom or bang the

blade with something and it'll go from drilling fantastic to not drilling at all.

Yes the 8" hand augers drill fast and easy with a good blade.

The 6" drills even faster and easier.

The 4.5" is ridiculously fast and easy!

[laker1]

Thanks. Once with the Nor-mark ice hand augurs,brand new blade-1st hole up by Ely,I drilled thru the ice and hit bedrock. Last hole for those blades also. Just like you mentioned.

Getting back to the 6 inch Nil,I thought maybe getting that for panfish,you must not even know your cutting ice,it should be so easy I would think?

Another reason,thought if I got the 6 inch,than I could save wear and tear on the 8 inch,although in reality it would be cheaper to buy new 8 inch blades. Its just nice to have new toys and that would be my Christmas present to myself.

[laker1]

Turn around time with Frank sharpening them?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Turn around time with Frank sharpening them?

3 or 4 days if you don't hit a weekend or non-mail day!

Cliff

[Cyberfish]

Could be that the previous owner tried to sharpen it? It doesn't matter how sharp it is if it is not done right it will not work.

I will always keep a spare with me after last year I hit a stone imbedded in the ice and my drilling was done for the weekend!

[Esox_Magnum]

No matter what brand always keep a spare set of blades on hand...Nils cost about half of a new set for other brands new blades to get resharpened and stay sharp alot longer...