Nils Master - User Tips Needed

[thirdeye]

Being a long time chipper auger owner, I'm having a little trouble adjusting to my Nils auger. I'm not getting the life out of the power heads that I should be. Some of the problem is the fact I fish western plains reservoirs and sometimes blow sand will be in the ice. I also think my old habits are responsible for knocking off the alignment or tuning of the tip. (The last ones I sent for sharpening exchange appeared to have an okay edge, but would not cut)

After visiting with JP and a few other folks, I'm guessing some re-training is in order. I'm doing my darnedest to take care of the tip, and when drilling to let it do the work. Anyway, if any of you have some detailed tips or techniques to share I would like to hear them. I'm starting off this season with 2 fresh tips and rearing to go.

[WifeKidsandDog]

The biggest tip is to NOT PUSH DOWN!!!! You can rock it if you wish but don't push down.

Let the auger do the work for you, I assume you were talking about auger blades not power head.

These tips go for any auger, be sure to not bang the blades more than needed. Don't drill over old car tracks or sandy snow/ice. Fact is avoid any vehicle tracks because they often carry gritty debris. One more thing is be careful who you let use your auger. Most will be tempted to push down which causes faster than needed wear on any blades.

I'm sure you will really enjoy this auger. It's light, fast, industrial grade and easy once you start using it like an auger should be used - to do the work for you

[Borch]

The not pushing down and just hanging on and letting the auger do the work is the biggest one. The fact that you are fishing ice with snad blown into it you will not get the same life out of the auger bit. I'm on my second year with my current bit and it stiff cuts like a charm. But I have minimal dirt/sand issues on the lakes I fish.

Good Luck!

[Northlander]

I know any shaver blade will go bad in a hurry if your cutting into sandy ice. I have had strikemasters go south due to the sand, oar dust etc.

My Nils last year went dull after 2 weeks of drilling into some oar dust covered sand. I didnt think anything of it until my blade went dull and then I was like DUH! I should have known better.

If this cutting in sandy conditions is going to happen a lot I dont know what you could do but try and get as much of the dust off the top of the ice but then theres always the stuff already frozen in the ice.

This is where chipper blades excel.

Also is there any wobble to your shaft when you hit the power? If so make sure the nut/bolt are tight. If you still have a wobble take the bolt out and put in through the other way. 1 way your lock nut will have about 1/2 the thread left. The correct way the lock nut will be completely on the bolt. I know some people dont figure it out.

Also make sure your shaft didnt get bent. I had a accident where I drilled into a frozen in log and jammed my blades into it bad. I had to get a wrench on the shaft to get it out. I bent the shaft in the process. I went through a set of blades very quickly after that. I got a new shaft and its working like new again.

E-mail me if you have any more questions.

[thirdeye]

Thanks guys, lots of good info. Sounds like the sand is way more dangerous than I ever thought. The warning of not cutting over tire tracks really drove that point home. I don't think I can ever get away from the sand factor. Wyoming is really a high plains desert and the wind really moves the landscape around.

Quote:

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I know any shaver blade will go bad in a hurry if your cutting into sandy ice. I have had strikemasters go south due to the sand, oar dust etc.

My Nils last year went dull after 2 weeks of drilling into some oar dust covered sand. I didnt think anything of it until my blade went dull and then I was like DUH! I should have known better.

If this cutting in sandy conditions is going to happen a lot I dont know what you could do but try and get as much of the dust off the top of the ice but then theres always the stuff already frozen in the ice.

This is where chipper blades excel.

Also is there any wobble to your shaft when you hit the power? If so make sure the nut/bolt are tight. If you still have a wobble take the bolt out and put in through the other way. 1 way your lock nut will have about 1/2 the thread left. The correct way the lock nut will be completely on the bolt. I know some people dont figure it out.

Also make sure your shaft didnt get bent. I had a accident where I drilled into a frozen in log and jammed my blades into it bad. I had to get a wrench on the shaft to get it out. I bent the shaft in the process. I went through a set of blades very quickly after that. I got a new shaft and its working like new again.

E-mail me if you have any more questions.

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I figured out the bolt direction immediately and actually wondered about the shaft, but compared it to a second shaft I have for hand drilling, so that ruled that out. I appreciate the offer to e-mail you for troubleshooting, I'll keep that in mind. It's a good thing I have access to a chipper.

I really need to decide if I need to keep the Nils or not...I really like that motor! I have three tips, two shafts and the hand crank, so it's a nice set-up.