Auger that wont drill?

[Trytti]

So here's the deal. My older 8" Strikemaster auger (XL3000) wasn't running right but would still drill 1 hole at a time if I primed it like 5 times. So I took it in and had a carb kit put in it and now it runs great. Only problem is now it won't drill a hole... I try to drill and it just sits and spins and shimmeys on the top of the ice? I checked the blades which are fairly new and they are razor sharp. I looked at it and on one of the augers there is a little gap (1/8-1/4") between the blade and the auger itself on the outside part of the blade. It appears maybe the auger is a little bent. Has anyone ever had anything like this happen and is there a fix? I am thinking I just need to bring out the hammer and try to straighten it but I am afraid I will do more damage if I go that route. Is there something I am missing here or just dumb? There is also a little bit of play between the powerhead and the auger itself but that has always been there with no problems... so I went from an auger that wouldn't run but would drill to an auger that runs fine but won't drill... Guys at work were being smart and asking if I had it in reverse, so feel free to join in the fun if there is something obvious I overlooked...

[jwhjr]

It sounds like the pitch is out of whack. I picked up a used Lazer, and the first time I tried using it, it just spun on the top of the ice as you described. The blades were razor sharp but they wouldn't grab. I stopped in at Strikemaster in Big Lake and they fixed the pitch and threw a new set of blades on it. Now it cuts like butter.

[Nutty Fisherman]

Even though the blads feel sharp, they could be dull. I would try a new set of blades first.

[folke2000]

Give Strikemaster tech's a call, and get the right advise the first time....They have great customer service, and will take good care of you. If you happen to be going by Big Lake stop in and have them take care of it for ya. There number is 763.263.8999.

Good Luck

[PierBridge]

I would agree the the pitch is out of alignment.

[vexilarkid]

I had the exact same thing happen last year. Take it to strikemaster if new blades do not solve the problem. It will take the technician about 10 minutes and your auger will cut like new again.

[Waters]

If you hit sand or some dirt on the ice that will kill your blades also

[Trytti]

Thanks guys I will try some new blades and if they don't work give them a call!

[slipperybob]

Frozen ice on your blades can also make is seem like the pitch on the cutting edge appear to be off. Pretty simple when you put auger on ice and it spins some and ice is melted and glazed on your auger momentarily from that. I experience that with my hand auger.

Then one of those chipper augers, with that cylinder guard had slush frozen in there so no ice shavings could travel up the screw was pretty bad one time. Just spins around in the hole. Super fast hole drilling with it does drill. Leave it to the hand auger to save the day on that one.