ION Auger....Jumps all over the place!

[unclewhoo]

I just bought a ION auger which replaced an old two stroke strikemaster and a old strikemaster electric auger.

When I auger a 'new' hole or 're-drill' a hole the ION auger jumps around. If I put extreme downward force on the auger it cuts, but not quickly!

My two stroke has a pin at the bottom to hold the auger in place when on the ice. The ION auger does not have a pin. Am I missing the pin on the bottom of the ION auger?

I held the ION auger up off the ice and started to turn the blades. I felt a wobble in the auger bit. Is this normal?

Could the auger have come with dull blades? Could the pitch be off? Could the auger bit be bent?

My plan is to return the auger to the store, but I wanted to hear people's comments before doing so.

Thank you for your comments.

[Steve Foss]

It shouldn't be jumping like that. I've used two IONs, and they both were smooth and good. No center point/pin is needed for them to cut correctly. Ice buildup on the blades will cause jumping in any auger, but it doesn't sound like that's the case here based on your description.

If you have to bear down to get an uniced auger to cut, something is definitely wrong with the blades or the pitch.

So I think returning it to the store for a different ION would be the best course of action.

[ski_otter]

Are the blades upside down?

I put mine on backwards on an older Eskimo with a similar blade design and it was all over the place

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Mine doesn't do anything like that at all. The only time it's jumped around is if I'm on uneven glare ice with no snow. I figured out that I just have to give the trigger a quick squeeze and release to spin it one turn or so and stop, creating a bit of a groove to dig in and go. A center point would definitely be an improvement.

There is definitely a problem with your auger if you have to put 'any' down force on it. I put none and it drills like crazy. It is faster than all the gas augers I've used, except a tiny bit slower than my Solo. Return that one for a properly functioning one and you'll be impressed.

[Hawg]

+2 on LRG's comment. Mine has no jump at all and reopens holes better than I ever thought possible. Mine takes absolutly ZERO pressure.

[broman]

My vote would be the pitch. When I brought my SM in to have the pitch checked the first thing they asked if it was jumping around when drilling.

[quickfish6]

you could try to shim the blade like you used to on the old strikemaster chippers.

[unclewhoo]

Thanks for all the comments.

What about the wobble? Does your ION's wobble when you hold it up in mid air?

[larryz]

I returned my Ion and went back to using my Strikemaster Strike-Lite with the Robin 4 stroke. I had trouble with the Ion sliding on bare ice but it cut good for me. Just not where I wanted it. I also did not like the switches. I don't know if it wobbled or not. I had no reason to try it in mid air. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Thanks for all the comments.

What about the wobble? Does your ION's wobble when you hold it up in mid air?

No.

[Hawg]

No

[Steve Foss]

If the shaft is bent and it wobbles, the blades will not maintain the correct cutting angle, so even if they are sharp it'll be hard to cut.

[Schlimer2]

I haven't had any of the problems you describe

[Cliff Wagenbach]

No such problems with my ION either!

Is the bolt that holds the auger to the motor loose or installed wrong?

I would take the auger back and get a new one!

Cliff

[JSK76]

+2 on LRG's comment. Mine has no jump at all and reopens holes better than I ever thought possible. Mine takes absolutly ZERO pressure.

I drilled a hole outside of my wheel house just for the sole purpose of letting it freeze so I could come back the next day and see if it really "opens frozen holes with ease!" and I was blown away, it was just like it was new ice.

[JSK76]

I would take the auger bit off the power head and role it across the floor and pay attention to the collar end and look for wobble.

[unclewhoo]

I would take the auger bit off the power head and role it across the floor and pay attention to the collar end and look for wobble.

That's actually a great idea....I'll give this a try and report back.

[tj1962]

Bought one this year and its one of the best tools I have ever bought. Cuts great, is light, and so darned easy. I have no wobble and none of the other problems described. I love this thing! My advice...don't give up on it.

[ChompChomp_YANK]

Unless you bought it from a guy in the back of a van..... DOWN BY THE RIVER. JUST RETURN IT. It's brand new and your wasting valuable fishing time trying to fix a bad auger bit.