Nils Power Ice Augers

[Down2Earth]

How is the Nils for reopening holes? I currently have an auger about on it's last leg.

[Northlander]

I ran a Nils for years and loved it. fast and light. I ran amsoil sabor in mine and it started great no matter how cold.

This year Im going the Honda 4 stroke route and I will report back how it performs for me.

[Diago]

I tried a nils 3 years ago and it was faster and lighter than my strikemaster. The only problem was it left so much sluch in the hole It took a long time to clean it to the point where I could get a lure through. In the long run the strikemaster was faster becouse the hole was cleaner. Have they made any improvements on the blade?

Thanks,

Jim

[FISHINGURU]

Did Esox delete my post so he could talk more about his Nils?

[Esox_Magnum]

Did Esox delete my post so he could talk more about his Nils?

I have no powers in this forum....

[Savage Brewer]

I tried a nils 3 years ago and it was faster and lighter than my strikemaster. The only problem was it left so much sluch in the hole It took a long time to clean it to the point where I could get a lure through. In the long run the strikemaster was faster becouse the hole was cleaner. Have they made any improvements on the blade?

Thanks,

Jim

I remember hearing about them making changes to the 8" blades to address that issue, but I am not 100% sure.

[Esox_Magnum]

Yes they have redone the blades to closer match the flighting...

[Lawrence Luoma]

Take this with a grain of salt since I've never used their Power auger, but I have a Nils hand auger. I have to believe the secret is the combination of the power head and the blade paired together. The hand auger cuts so much easier than it should it's silly. I can't help but think an easy cutting blade combined with a smaller/lighter than average powerhead makes this the combo that so many like.

You can believe want but there is a reason why the Team USA Ice Team only used Fin-Bore or Lazer hand augers last year at the World Championships. It wasn't because they were sponsored by them ether as they didn't have an auger sponsor last year. Most of the team all own Nils augers also. Pretty sure they didn't use Fin-Bore and Lazers cause they wanted a slower auger. Just ask Michael Thompson he even borrowed my Fin-Bore for the competition as his Nils just wasn't up to par.

Even if you do believe the Nils auger is the fastest you make up the time by not having to scoop slush out by using a different drill unit.

[fisherman-andy]

Take this with a grain of salt since I've never used their Power auger, but I have a Nils hand auger. I have to believe the secret is the combination of the power head and the blade paired together. The hand auger cuts so much easier than it should it's silly. I can't help but think an easy cutting blade combined with a smaller/lighter than average powerhead makes this the combo that so many like.

[gill man]

You can believe want but there is a reason why the Team USA Ice Team only used Fin-Bore or Lazer hand augers last year at the World Championships. It wasn't because they were sponsored by them ether as they didn't have an auger sponsor last year. Most of the team all own Nils augers also. Pretty sure they didn't use Fin-Bore and Lazers cause they wanted a slower auger. Just ask Michael Thompson he even borrowed my Fin-Bore for the competition as his Nils just wasn't up to par.

Even if you do believe the Nils auger is the fastest you make up the time by not having to scoop slush out by using a different drill unit.

I'm sure we'll both continue to believe what we want.

I don't think I ever mentioned the Nils being FASTER than the others. It may be, it may not be. I've used Lazers and while they are a nice auger, I remember them taking more force to turn. I'm not a tournament angler trying to squeeze 3 minutes out of a 12 hour day. I appreciate the ease of use the Nils gives me and ability I have to drill many holes in a day without wearing out. People complain about the slush with Nils but it's never bothered me.

Drill hole, pull up to remove slush, plunge down again and lift out. Couple quick scoops with a ice scoop and I'm fishing. That might take a few seconds that a tournament guy isn't willing to take but I can handle it.

What I believe is a Nils is a fantastic auger for ME!

[aczr2k]

I've had my Nils for quite a few years now and I would not recommend them for opening up holes. A Jiffy chipper blade does a much better job. Having used both it's what I recommend.

[broman]

I've had my Nils for quite a few years now and I would not recommend them for opening up holes. A Jiffy chipper blade does a much better job. Having used both it's what I recommend.

I'll second that. Jiffy chippers are the best at re-opening holes.

[Surface Tension]

If you fish out of a perm shack you have to drill old holes.

No problem with a Nils. I have the Ice Hogger attached in this clip.

[Surface Tension]

broman, nice score on the garage sales Nils.

You'll need it sharpened for sure.

[broman]

broman, nice score on the garage sales Nils.

You'll need it sharpened for sure.

I'll probably be sending it to you for some sharpening. But I'm going to wait until I see some ice to test first. You never know, it might be sharp enough.

[aanderud]

broman, nice score on the garage sales Nils.

You'll need it sharpened for sure.

[broman]

Those blades are pretty finicky. I'm guessing it won't work if there was any contact between the blades and concrete. What I'd do, if I was you, is freeze a 5 gallon bucket of water in your freezer at home (or even a 3 gallon bucket).....then try drilling into that. Gives you a chance to test it now and then when the ice comes you don't have to be experimenting and be mailing off the auger when you could be fishing

Good idea. I'm guessing my wife is going to give me some funny looks this weekend when I'm out on the driveway drilling holes into a bucket.

[bee]

Trust us and send it to Frank. He will make sure its correct and you will have it back in a couple days.

[FISHINGURU]

Yep, when I owned my Nils I sent the blades out to Frank, only took a couple days and got them back as good as new (maybe even better).

[Fred_Bear]

If everyone doesn't know the secret isn't the Nils Auger but the Tanaka power head. Pair up the Tanaka power head with what ever ice drill you want and you'll have the best there is for performance.

Put the smaller Tanaka on an 8" Strikemaster or 8" Eskimo (8", not 6") auger and make a video of it... that way those of us who "don't know the secret" can be enlightened by you!

[Down2Earth]

1. How come some say "forget trying to drill old holes" yet by the looks of the video it seemed to have zero problem?

2. Does the power head fit on a Eskimo auger?

3. What is so special about the blade that a regular Joe like myself can't sharpen it (I have no problem sharpening the blades on my eskimo if that matters)?

4. Can one find replacement blades fairly easy? What is the price?

[dfeste]

I don't own a permanent house so I don't open old holes and can't answer your first question but I'll take a stab at the rest.

No it will not fit an Eskimo auger.

The cutting head is sharpened on a curved surface unlike any of the other brands. You don't just sharpen a pair of blades with a Nils. For the $20 it costs to have Frank (Surface Tension) sharpen the blades with the proper equipment I've never even thought about trying to sharpen on my own. IMO money very well spent and they'll come back as good if not better than new.

You won't find replacement cutting heads in too many tackle shops or out of the way places. The two places that pop into my head most quickly are Marine General and Cabelas. I've always got a replacement with me when I'm out.

The cutting heads, like the auger, are not cheap. On Marine Generals HSOforum they range from $50 for the 4.5" to $105 for the 8" with power point.

[Hobey]

I have two spare cutting heads. Frank does a great job sharpening blades. I had brand new blades and opted for his newly sharpened one just to try them out last year. They cut better than the brand new ones I had on so I left them on.

[Esox_Magnum]

I have two spare cutting heads. Frank does a great job sharpening blades. I had brand new blades and opted for his newly sharpened one just to try them out last year. They cut better than the brand new ones I had on so I left them on.

I agree I had my new spare on when I got my other back from Frank so had to try it and swear it's sharper than the new one...I look at it this way, my cost a few years ago was $80 for a new head, got 5 years out of the original, cost $20 to resharpen so figure $20 a year invested ( could have got a few more years outof it but hit debris in the ice) When I owned my Lazer I put at least 1 set a year on at $50

[hamms-scooter]

Frank which powerhead is that in your video?