auger

[hitthebricks]

went to use my auger for the first time in 3 years but it cut poorly and wobbled all over before it started to cut and cut about a 10" hole instead of a 8 one when it finally did.

Any ideas.

Thanks

HTB

[Surface Tension]

Needs to be sharpened and or re-pitched.

[20lbSloughShark]

As in the blade wouldn't bite into the ice and just moved around, or was the auger shaft actually bent? The first one can be fixed with sharp blades. If you bent your auger, the best you can do is try to straighten it with a mallet.

[leech~~]

What auger is it? Shaver or chipper blade? Sounds like a shaver if it bounced around like that. What does the chisel tip look like?

[WalleyeSlayer21]

If your thoughts are iffy Get A JIFFY!!!

[hitthebricks]

It has shaver blades and no chisel tip on this model. How would I check if the drum is bent?

[redneckdan]

Lemme guess, strikemaster with no centering point?

The issue is that your auger shaft rusted to the gear box output shaft. This connection needs a free running fit in order for the auger to function properly. When the auger sits without the shaft being properly lubricated it rusts together, non-concentric. Then when you fire it up to go drill a hole the head dances around and tries to beat the hell out of you. Keep using it and you WILL bend the shaft if you haven't already.

I can't tell you the number of strike master augers I have bought cheap or been given that had this issue. They sat for a few years and then suddenly they won't function properly. Ten minutes of work and I flip them on craiglist for a few hundred bucks...

[hitthebricks]

It is a old Strikemaster with a Laser auger. Put new blades on it and it cuts like a champ again.