Auger cutting slow

[Cruizin for Fish]

Have any of you had this happen before? My Nilsmaster has been cutting phenominally on the first hole I drill then every hole after that it just will not catch and dig down. I never push down on it but end up reducing the speed and then sometimes it catches and digs the way it should other times it looses its grip once it catches. The weird thing is that if I let the auger sit for 5 minutes or more - the first hole I cut goes down incredibly fast again - then on the remaining holes it just spins and does not catch. I would say I have drilled 1200 to 1500 holes and have not had it sharpened yet - I assume that is the problem - but why does it cut so good only on the first hole of each drilling session - are the blades getting iced up?

[upnorth]

Check to see if you are getting a build up of ice on the blades. If you get too much ice on bottom of the blades they can't dig in.

[Cruizin for Fish]

I will check next time I am out - this happened on Sunday when the temperature in Duluth area was close to 0. If it is the blades getting iced up - what is the best solution for getting the ice off?

[opsirc]

cruizin

try spraying PAM cooking spray on the blades.

O

[TTfromBlaine]

on those cold days I've found if you open the throttle for a few seconds between cutting each hole the water will sling off before it freezes, which usually gets me several more holes, but the ice will eventually build up enough where you'll have to do something about it.

ICE-DOG 1 out

[eurolarva]

You can test the ice theory by drilling a hole about 2/3 down stop and drill another before you hit water. If that works you will have to start a second hole after hitting water fast then only go about half way down. By then the water should be off the blades. I used to have to bring a propane torch for my hand auger. Blades iced up like crazy when weather was cold during the winter.

[Gadgetman]

trade it in for a Jiffy Who wants to drag along a propane torch or a can a pam for cryin out loud!

[upnorth]

If it is really cold and there is snow/slush on the ice make sure you either clear the snow/slush from where you are drilling the next hole.

[Cruizin for Fish]

Guys - thanks for all the suggestions - there was no snow or slush - it was just 18" of rock hard ice. I will try the pam and I definately will test the icing up theory by cutting several holes without breaking through. Thanks again.

Cruizin