Nils Master Auger

[Rick]

I know a number of you have used the Nils Master Auger. I finally used one for the first time this past Saturday.

It's not the speed that is impressive but the EASE of use when cutting through the ice. The other plus is that I like to cut a lot of holes and travel a bit on foot at times. This baby is light as well making carrying it much less a chore.

It's a nice easy running auger and it also blasts a hole very quickly. So that is a plus as well.

I've also done some reading on the Tanaka engine and they are a commercial graded engine rated with a 600 hour service.

This compares to our old reliables the Strikemaster and Jiffy's tecumsah engines consumer graded engines rated with a 240 hour service life.

The only drawback is that they run around $499.

I think a lot of folks who try these babies out will convert in the next year or two regardless of the price. It sure looks like a solid value to me.

Those of you who have a Nils Master Auger or have tried one, what are your thoughts?

[Ray Esboldt]

My comments were something on the order of, "Holy ship, that's a nice auger! I'm buying one."

Rick let me pop a hole with it yesterday, but I was sold on it before we even torched it up. The thing doesn't weigh much more than the old Mora hand augers. I'm not kidding.

Other than that, it's fast, super sharp, quiet compared to the Tecumseh power heads, and it looks cool. Plus, the blades are supposed to be self sharpening. Someone will need to explain how that works.

It did have one good/bad point. The drill bit looks to be about 6 inches longer than Jiffys or Strikemasters. That's good because it reduces the need for an extension. However, the auger might need a sturdy support system if your strapping it to the rack of an ATV and pounding across the ice. Moose Hunter will invent something for us to plagurize I'm sure.

Apparently, it's a great mud drill as well. Rick can explain that.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I must have drilled about 20 holes with the nills yesturday.. it too was my first time with this brand auger. I hvae always beena diehard jiffy fan. The one thing that I noticed right away was this.. My jiffy when you get to the end of the hole bogs a bit once the tip pushes threw, its nothing horrible, but you have to let up a bit and let the auger finish the hole.. with the nills master, this was non-existant!.. it blew right threw the ice and asked for more!.. very imprssed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kylersk]

I too got to try out the nils.. I was very impressed with how easy it cuts! But that 'one drawback' is a rather large drawback for me.. At least this year. I think I've spent enough this year on gear.

[mnvikingsfreak]

what is the horsepower on the nils master? I heard its only 26cc

[jltimm]

I think it is 1.6 hp if I remember correctly.

[Ray Esboldt]

I believe that is true. It is a smaller engine. However, the bit is quite a bit lighter than other brands. It's not lighter because it's cheaply built; it's lighter because the auger (what's that called, is it the fluting) is not quite as wide. The plus to this is the auger is lighter. The minus is it leaves more slush in the hole. I'll take a light auger anyday and can ignore the slush issue. So smaller engine, less bit weight; I guess it balances out.

[iffwalleyes]

These things sound pretty sweet. I am like Deitz though I am a diehard Jiffy man so I will have to see to believe myself. Will there be any available to give a test drive on up at Burnside? Might have to look at a new auger next year. I wish they had a 9 or 10 inch though. I am so used to 10" it feels like I am fishing in a pop can when using a 8".

[Matt Johnson]

Yep, that Nils is one sweet auger! Incredibly fast and very, very lightweight! Being a panfish geek, I like to punch a lot of holes and cover a lot of area using the least amount of energy and there is no better auger than the Nils for just that type of situation in my opinion.

Here's some shots of some FMer's trying out the Nils this past Saturday at the Medicine Lake event...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[lars0926]

Yeah, the nilsmaster is a really nice addition to any icefisherman equipment checklist. Weighs in at only 21lbs. The 1.6 horse cuts as fine as any competitor 3 horse because the RPM are much higher. The price is good at $489. Nilsmaster USA created that powerhead specially in conjunction with Tanaka. It's cool because you can switch blade sizes (I personally use a six or eight depending on time of year and species), and even comes with the hand crank for early ice. I believe it's quite a value. You can get one for yourself at Nils Master - TC .

Here's a couple of my own experiences and observations:

1. If you want to keep the engine running tip-top, they recommend you pull the gas out of it each time. Like who in the world would do that, right? Just try my trick. Put in 2-cycle synthetic to one gallon of gasoline and use that mix. (the synthetic matches the ratio to one gal. of gas). It will run even better and will keep the carb clean and the gas stable over the winter season. But still take the gas out in the spring.

- Run 90, or as high as 91, instead of 89. Seems to fire better in the really cold negative temp weather.

-One of the aforementioned observations was about the length of the shaft and the problem with ATV's. I'm usually using my Otter sled, so it fits in there just fine. But when I'm not using the sled I just strap on a 2x8 off the back rack and bungy the nils on top of that. hangs off the back but it's well supported.

-The only drawback I've found with the nils is that because it's lighter, you need to focus a little more energy on punching a straight hole. If I take my eye off my work I always get a sloping hole. Other than that, one of the better investments I've made.

[Bob_D]

Well...I'm glad you guys liked it. I have had mine for over a year now and I'm still in love with it. I've had problem with my back and the lightness and ease of use of this auger has been great. With the shaft being a little longer I don't have to hunch over as much when I'm drilling 2-3' of ice and it's much easier to lift and carry.

It's by far one of the best pieces of equipment I've purchased.

Oh yeah......It's fast too. I can cut 12" of ice in under 4 seconds.

[eyewinder]

I bought an 8-inch Nils hand auger last year and was so happy with it that I felt like I could retire the gasser, at least here in Nebraska where ice rarely exceeds 10 or 12 inches. It cut smoothly, quickly and was well worth the $100 price tag.

[Redlantern]

I bought the six inch hand auger and can't believe how fast it is. The offset handle takes a bit getting used to but it just zips through the ice. Rick, can I get a replacement blade through this site? I want to have one handy in case I ding it up.

[Rick]

I've beenn cuting through 30+ inches of ice, so the 12" of ice is not the issue.

My guess is you got some sand, grit, or mud that dulled your auger blades.

[Captain B.R.K]

Quote:

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I must have drilled about 20 holes with the nills yesturday.. it too was my first time with this brand auger. I hvae always beena diehard jiffy fan. The one thing that I noticed right away was this.. My jiffy when you get to the end of the hole bogs a bit once the tip pushes threw, its nothing horrible, but you have to let up a bit and let the auger finish the hole.. with the nills master, this was non-existant!.. it blew right threw the ice and asked for more!.. very imprssed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

---

You scared all my fish with all the drilling you did on Saturday

I watched from a distance and the Nils Master Auger is a pretty piece of equipment if anyone is looking for a great auger! Cut like butter from what I could see. Genz, even the guys were holding onto it with 1 hand- ease of drilling holes just got easier with the Nils Master Auger.

[hanson]

Rick drilled a hole right next to me using one hand bracing the other side with his elbow and didn't have a problem. He had to react quick when the auger broke through but it seamed to be pretty effortless.

I don't think I could pull that off with my strikemaster, it has a lot of torque and requires a steady hold with 2 hands.

[Bob_D]

eyewinder,

Did someone hit the auger against the ice to "de-ice" the blades? I'm not sure if this is your issue, but shaving blades should never be hit on the ice. It changes the angle of the edge and stops them from cutting as good as the should.

[picksbigwagon]

does anyone know where to find one of these in the twin cities? I have a Jiffy, that I finally got back from a friend of mine. He doesn't have kids so he has a lot more disposable income than I do....I will have to talk him into buying one of these. I know after buying a new house this winter that a new auger would send my wife over the edge.

[BDR]

You can find them right here on FM. Tackle City- Nils Master

[WallEYES]

Glad you like the auger. The guys from out east and a select few from Minnesota been bragging these augers on this site 3 years ago when you started the thread for the original ice shanty gang members. I think these augers were the best then and thats what I believe today. I also believe that these augers need to be treated with TLC, they are not for those who are hard on their equipment. The head/blade will last forever if taken care of. Just my 2 cents and now I'm done talking about the Nil's. Good Luck fishin!

[eyewinder]

Thanks for the responses.

eyewinder

[Bob_D]

.

[Bagley]

Just had acouple questions about the Nills Auger.

1) How is it for re-drilling holes?

2) How do you change the blades on them? I saw a nills auger last week an it looked to me as though the blades were permanently affixed to the auger shaft. I didn't look too close though.

Bagley

[Bob_D]

The cutting head is one unit and is replaced by removing one bolt. Note: Do this with the cover on and it's much safer.

I recut holes with mine. It will "bounce" a bit, but I don't have a problem with it.

[Got_Ice]

Has anyone ordered from Tackle City? Just wondering how fast they get there orders out. I'm thinking about making a purchase but I don't want to wait till mid Feb. to get the order. Thanks, Ice