New Nils won't cut

[JScott]

I finally got my new Nils auger all set up and out on the ice yesterday. I was really looking forward to using it after all the good I have heard.

For some reason, it won't cut a complete hole without hanging up. The motor just won't power through all the way.

The blade is extremely sharp, and it cuts about an inch or two down and then can't get the rest of the way. The motor runs great and doesn't quit running.

Is there some kind of adjustment I'm not seeing with clutch engagement or something? It seems like the blades take an awfully big bite. I wonder if they are at the wrong angle or something.

I hooked it up to my old Mora bottom half and it cut through fine.

[harvey lee]

I have no problem with putting the guard back on. I always put it on the same way I took it off. The guards shapes to the blade and needs to go back on right.

As far as the Nils in Cabelas that is a very good question. I dont understand why anyone would return such a good cutting hand auger. Another question is why they have so many of alot of other name brand good items in the cave. I see they have many Optronics remote beam lights for the front of a boat and they also are a very good spotlight, maybe the best on the market.

[Orlip]

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I have no problem with putting the guard back on. I always put it on the same way I took it off. The guards shapes to the blade and needs to go back on right.

As far as the Nils in Cabelas that is a very good question. I dont understand why anyone would return such a good cutting hand auger. Another question is why they have so many of alot of other name brand good items in the cave. I see they have many Optronics remote beam lights for the front of a boat and they also are a very good spotlight, maybe the best on the market.

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So you have seen it as well. That does not make a good selling point in my book. I wonder why Marcum flashers and cameras stock there shelves as well????

I think I'll keep my Vexilar (4 years old), Strikemaster (16 years old),and Aqua Vu (3 years old).

[Surface Tension]

I've had problems with the auger cover too.

Then I figured out what I was doing wrong.

One bungie goes under where the flute and bit meet.

It'll stay on very nice now.

The Nils auger starts and runs like a champ.

When the engine is cold, Prime and full choke. Once it starts(mine takes 3 pulls)take the choke off and let it idle for that warm up. No matter what brand auger you have, that warm up will increase the life of that engine.

With any auger you'll need sharp blades. My Nils went 2 1/2 winters without a needing to be sharpened. Then I dinged the blade. Stay tunned, I'll be offering sharpening service for Nils auger blades.

[GotOne]

I'm another guy who will stay with my Strikemaster. Seems kind a crazy to have to burn a tank of gas or two, just sitting on the ground waiting to "break it in". You think that they could figure something out on the manufacturing end so consumers ..... buy it - start it and let her go. OK, you Nils fans, let me have it:). What, you can't hear me -- your still breaking in your auger. Just having a little fun...........Merry Christmas..................

[JScott]

Well here I am again. I'm the one who started this thread. Got the Nils broke in, and it cuts great. Fast, lightweight, starts good. Very nice. Well worth a little extra one-time preparation. With that saber 100 hardly any smoke.

I did have a little panic time there when it wouldn't complete a hole, but it works fine now.

What a great forum we have here for solving some of these equipment issues. I would have not known there was a reliable alternative in augers for me had I not visited this site.

Thanks again for all the info. folks.

[Borch]

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I'm another guy who will stay with my Strikemaster. Seems kind a crazy to have to burn a tank of gas or two, just sitting on the ground waiting to "break it in". You think that they could figure something out on the manufacturing end so consumers ..... buy it - start it and let her go. OK, you Nils fans, let me have it:). What, you can't hear me -- your still breaking in your auger. Just having a little fun...........Merry Christmas..................

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Well I've owned several Strike Master and they are great augers. But if you're saying they don't need to be broken in your kidding yourself. Everyone I owned bogged at the bottom of the ice until they cut a 100 holes or so. Then they just got better with use. That constitutes break in in my book. They aren't as tight as the Nils. But all augers benefit from break in.

[harvey lee]

I also needed to break in my Jiffy. Seems all augers will need a good break in period to perform at 100%.

[Surface Tension]

jjohnson, thanks for getting back to us with an update.

All engines go through a break-in period. After that break-in you'll see improved performance. Could be an outboard, auger, snowmobile, car, or what ever.

A little time to let an engine warm-up is needed also. When I start my snowmobile I need to let it warm-up before I take off. If I don't it'll bog. Its also very hard on the engine to put it under load or higher RPMs without a warm-up. Same is true for most engines.

Modern cars can be started and driven with a cold engine with no notice in lost performance. Thats because of FI, emission controls that are ever changing and adjusting to temps via a brain. Still a short warm-up will prolong that life of the engine. With all the advances in automobile engines there are generations that don't know better when it comes to engines with carbs. Its turned into a turn the key and drive away deal. That basic understanding about engines is lost.

Augers use a carb thats set to perform best at operating temps. There is no brain to richen to fuel/air mixture between hot and cold other then a choke and that choke is for starting purposes and till the engine warms.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Glad to hear jjohnsons problems are over.

I don't know of a single motor out there, 2 stroke or 4 stroke or diesel that can go from sitting in the back of a pickup at -10 wind chill, to wide open throttle without a warm-up period of some type.

[GotOne]

Warming them up is one thing-running two tanks of gas while sitting on your garage floor is a different deal........just my opinion. I start my StrikeMaster, let her run for a minute-at the most two and "get her done". You guys that use Nils are probably the same guys who use MarCum's. I'M JUST HAVING FUN.....DON'T TAKE ME SERIOUSLY!! MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Hookmaster]

Wow, what does that make me. I use a Marcum but use a 12-year old Jiffy Model 76. I'm still on the original blade!!!

Happy Hoidays

[GotOne]

A classic!

[Surface Tension]

Breaking in an auger wouldn't stop me from getting out fishing. It'll break in drilling holes too, its just that after break in you'll get better performance. Just let it warm up. The Tanaka is a great little engine. The Nils auger is going to last you a long time so a little time and gas burnt breaking in isn't a big deal for me.

[Jim Almquist]

I just took off the lower unit and let it sit on the deck and every 20 min. I would go out and rev it up.I went thru 4 tanks of gas but the first time on ice it ran perfect. I ran it with 2 of the pillow packs of amsoil to a gallon of gas to break it in and from now on I will go to 100:1.