Couple of Auger Mods

[McGurk]

I have spend a little time looking at my auger and came up with a couple of ideas. Nothing life-changing, but not to shabby, either.

First, I had the shaft come loose a couple of times last winter, and used the supplied allen wrench to tighten it up, but didn't want to really wrench on it, either. So I looked at lock washers and nothing stock fits. I had some 1/4" locks the had the same external diameter as the bolt head, but the bolt was too large for the hole. So I clamped it down in a bench vise, and drilled it out (5/16" maybe???) Worked like a charm:

Bolt, Modified Lock washer, stock Lock washer, supplied Allen wrench.

I also remember hearing that you shouldn't store your auger with the shaft hanging or leaning it up, and I don't have a lot of wall space in my garage anyway, just shelves. So I whipped the Auger Head mount up.

It is notched for the handle, notched for the throttle, and has a hole for the shaft with room to spin. Now I just pull this all off the shelf a couple of times a summer, check the gas, and start her up all on the mount. Not a big deal, but I prefer it.

[gvg_uwec]

Very nice stand for the auger head. Might have to do that next summer with mine. I have also heard of people that bought a longer socket head cap screw that goes completely through the shaft and then put a lock not on the other side. Which reminds me I need to check if I can do that... I never remember to recheck the bolt during the season so thanks for reminding me to get on that!

[Bobb-o]

dont know if the strikemaster's hole goes all the wa through , but on my jiffy, i took the bolt out and put a pin with the circle clasp on to connect the power head to the auger, this makes it a lot easier to get the power head off and put the extension on when needed. I also dont have to worry aboot losing the bolt or having it come loose

[Squirtis]

Has anyone tried just using Locktite?

[Ferny]

Since I never take mine apart I just ran electrical tape around the bolt and shaft. I also taped the allen wrench to the shaft so I didn't lose it. Never had a problem yet.

Ferny

[McGurk]

All good ideas, but I'd like to keep a threaded bolt and not have to bring any more tools out if I need to tighten/ disassemple it on the fly. The electrical tape is a good thought to not ever lose the bolt. I have no idea why I would have to take the head off while on the ice, but I do know that I had to tighten the bolt occasionally, and this may help for darn near no money.