Why Nils is better???

[Coach1310]

It is getting to the point where a new auger is a must. I have a Strikemaster now(that has been used and abused for many years)and any issue I have had the customer service with it has been TOP NOTCH. I also really like the idea they are just over in Big Lake in case I would have to run it in. It is getting to be that time when Augers are to be had a little cheaper than any other time of year. Why is Nils better? I have heard and read the countless posts on the topic, but are the parts that much better than anything else?? The design?? The technology??? Why are they better? Thanks for any help.

[Note from admin: You can see Nils Master Augers at OutdoorProStore.com - Nils Master Ice Augers for fishing ]

[Jim Almquist]

Coach1310 if your auger still works why do you want to get rid of it ? If it seems like it is a lot of work to drill a hole or if it is a weight issue then you might want to consider something different. When I bought my Nils it was not because I could not drill holes with my Jiffy but I hated the weight. My Jiffy was 20 plus years old so it kinda tells you how long I have been ice fishing with it and the durability was outstanding but the weight was stopping me from searching when I knew that I could catch more if I would only drill more holes and search more. I like the quality of the Nils with the industrial motor and all steel handles so it will take a beating like my Jiffy has but at 22 pounds and the thing cuts very effortlessly I feel Nils has improved my success already. I find it strange when people want to shop by price alone when over the lifetime of the auger it is only a couple of dollars.

[Northlander]

Its simple. Lightest out there for its length. (the 4 stroke out is much shorter and you will probably need a extension late in the season on some lakes up North)I havent needed a extension with my Nils anywhere. Fastest auger I have ever seen or used and I have use them all. Quality motor and the blade design is 1 of a kind and very very sharp. Also my ears dont ring after drilling a bunch of holes.

I do agree that if you have a auger that works I wouldnt spend a lot of money on a new auger unless your sick of the old one. I know I got sick of my old 3 horse 10" Jiffy in a hurry once I used a Nils.

[DTro]

I would say the four things that the Nils a good choice are:

1. Weight

2. Blade design

3. Reliability

4. 48" Standard auger length (no extension needed)

[Coach1310]

First off, thanks for all the replies. I could "get by" with the auger I have, but in reality I think I would fish more, catch more and have more "fun" if I had a new auger Nils or otherwise. That being said we could all "get by" without a Vexilar or Marcum. We could all "get by" without our GPS and mapping capabilities. Bottom line is we fish more because of it all, we catch more thanks to all our toys and we definitely have "more fun" with our gadgets.(This is just me rambling in hopes of convincing myself that I NEED a new auger)

I would appreciate if anyone can elaborate on the following items regarding Nils Master Augers:

What is so great about the blades?

How often do they need replacing?

What is their customer service like?

Are there places close that I can get them serviced?

Thanks again for all the info.

[DTro]

What is so great about the blades?

They cut sweet and fast

How often do they need replacing?

Varies on the type of ice you are cutting through. I think some guys have gone a couple of seasons on one blade. I haven't had mine long enough to replace or sharpen. We now have someone local to send them to for sharpening Click Here for info

What is their customer service like?

Cannot honestly answer that, as I've never dealt with them.

Are there places close that I can get them serviced?

Any small engine repair shop that deals with Tanaka engines should be all you need.

[zamboni]

I know Nils makes a great auger, just wondering why the switch

[Ice Ranger]

If you do decide to buy the Nils, it pays to upgrade to the auger blade with the center point addition. It guides it much smoother, and it seems to cut faster and cleaner.

You can sharpen your own blades if you know what you're doing... But I'd recommend sending them in. It's too easy to screw that up. Then you have to start all over and buy a new one. That's the only negative with the Nils auger. You have to order the parts.

[Northlander]

I believe all Nils power augers come with the center point blades now. I have gone 2 seasons without needing a blade sharpened and I drill many mnay holes. Heck just this weekend I went through well over a tank of gas on my Nils. Thats a lot of holes.

I had to only deal with Nils customer service once and that was when I bent my auger shaft. All my fault and they took care of me in a timely manner.

They are a smaller growing company and arent local but I was impressed how quickly I had me new shaft.

After running my Nils for 3 seasons I wont settle on any other auger. It truely isnt work cutting holes any more. I know I cut way more holes with it because it is so easy to use. I also think Im catching more fish now because its easier to find that spot on the spot when cutting and moving around isnt so much work.

If you do get a Nils make sure to buy a extra back up blade just in case you have a problem and need a new one. I always have at least 1 extra just in case because most stores dont have them.

[Spazzums08]

Does the Nils come in a 10"?

[Borch]

 Originally Posted By: Coach1310

I would appreciate if anyone can elaborate on the following items regarding Nils Master Augers:

What is so great about the blades?

How often do they need replacing?

What is their customer service like?

Are there places close that I can get them serviced?

Thanks again for all the info.

The term blades do not really describe what they are. It is a very sharp drill bit. All I know is that you hit the gas and just hang on. No need for additional pressure.

My blades lasted two seasons and I could have likely pushed it to three if I wasn't so picky. I picked up a spare drill bit so I wouldn't lose any fishing time in case I hit something in the ice. The sharpening service turns the bits around usually in less than a week depending on where you are shipping it from.

As far as customer service goes I did need to use it this winter. Took 4 days to get the parts I needed and get it fixed. There are many Tanaka service centers around MN. I had 4 to choose from within 30 minutes of my home. They worked hard to meet my timelines. Much will depend on the shops you take it to be serviced at in regards to how long it will take. 1-2 weeks for the busier shops I talked to.

I do love my Nils. I have had several strikemasters as well. They make good augers. But to be honest, I won't be trading my Nils for one anytime soon.

[Ice Ranger]

Does the Nils come in a 10"?

They only have 8" still.

[Jim Hudson]

Nils are making a good auger now.

I will give them credit in that they drill like mad. They do come with a short shaft version now, which is good for shorter guys. The short handles seem differant to me.

But, like anything, its up to you and what you like in the design in something. Check em out and see what you think.

[Surface Tension]

My blade needed sharpening on its 3rd season, that was only because my buddy dinged the blade on a shovel.

Tanaka makes a wonderful powerhead. That same powerhead and gear box is used in other commercial applications. Type in Tanaka in any search engine and have a look for yourselves. Any small engine shop can service a Tanaka, they are well know in the commercial industry as a quality engine that stand up to everyday use.

That engine is 26cc but still you have a high rate of rotation off the gear box. How is it this little powerhead can cut so fast and effortlessly? Its all in that Nils bit. A perfect combination of powerhead, gearbox and drill. That in turn makes for a lightweight, compact design with very little effort for the user. The theory here is "bigger isn't better", thats so true for the runner and gunner.

So you've heard that Nils is light weight, smooth and fast cutting.

Why buy a Nils when your old auger still works? I guess we can say the same thing about our trucks, boats, snowmobiles. My old truck still works but its not anything like driving a new truck. The choice of upgrading is up to the individual. All one needs to do is drill a few holes with the Nils and that old auger won't seem so good. So you can continue to use old faithful or upgrade, its whats important to you that matters.

I'm not brand loyal to anyone. I'm not proud of any of my equipment or feel I have bragging rights to what is the best. Why would I? I had nothing to do with its development so what

is there to be loyal or brag about. All I want is getting what I payed for.

So I'll say this, if your in the market for a new auger consider the Nils.

Yes I do offer sharpening for Nils. I can get your blades sharpened and delivered in two days. As the Nils becomes more popular you'll see more and more retailers selling blades and Nils augers.

[Northlander]

Jim those small handles work great in houses and save tons of room when storing in a portable during transport. I never found them cumbersome or akward. I actually have found them very comfortable. I never did like offset handles like on my old Jiffy. With my NIls Im able to keep my forearms/elbows at my hips and this helps keep "solid" while drilling.

I like how small and compact the Nils is but yet its a fast, light workhorse. To each his own though.

Like Frank says I am not brand loyal. If something comes out I like and I think it will do what I need I buy it. After I do some homework on it of course. If I dont like something I dont buy it. No matter what brand it is.

[muc33]

I agree with Northlander... The handles work great. I think part of the use of augers in the past has been, nice wide sturdy handles. Why, to add pressure for a deeper cut. With the Nils, you need NO downword pressure, heck half the time you actually need to lift a titch because it cuts so fast. The cut is effortless. I can honestly say it takes more energy to pull the cord 2 times (average pull start) than it does to cut 2 feet of ice. I still have my old SM but, and have, like you been sceptical of buying something new when my own is not really broken. BUT, with this, you will not be sorry. I asked a lot of questions, talke with the reps quite a bit and went to the Nils Master at OutdoorProStore.com and did the deal. We have had happy cutting ever since!

The handles design is also very condusive to storage and hauling like Northlander said.

[shamrock7]

Another reason why the Nils doesn't need the wide handles: It doesn't catch at the bottom of the hole just before break thru like so many others do.

[randallt]

So how much exhaust does it put out? Wondering if it is a good option for a wheelhouse?

[muc33]

It is great, running the Amsoil at 100:1, No more black lung for me!!!!

[Northlander]

I run the amsoil sabor and have very little exhaust. Much less than other oils that I have tried.

[Coach1310]

WOW!!! Thanks for all the info! Gotta love this site for getting good, solid info about the products you are looking at. I'm convinced, but if I see any of you on the ice, I may just head over and ask to drill a few for myself to see what these things are all about.

Thanks again for all the great info.

[ernie21e]

Just to remind any new nils users. most bait shops don't tell you how to use it. I found out the hard way , maybe I am hard on things but you might be to. Please just hold the auger and let it drill like mad on it's own. It works well that way. If you put pressure on this auger it will might sticky because it trys to take out too big a chunk of ice. If you do get it stuck, take it easy getting it out so you don't eventually bend the blade a little and perfomance will go down.

[muc33]

One of the best parts about spending your own money on things, is that you get to decide your own preference. If I read Coach's original post he wanted suggestions on why the Nils, I am not sure anyone bashed anything else, just made answers available on the positives of Nils like asked.

You make the call that suits you best Coach, and know that your money is yours!!! Enjoy your decision, you have done what some haven't and that is asking questions and researching a product. Good Luck!

ernie you bring up an EXCELLENT point. There are many here who can tell you, and in many posts have told people how to get the most effective production out of most any product. I call that expierienced knowledge. That is part of why this site is SO benificial to all of us!

[Windy]

I just purchased a Nils and I will try it out tomorrow morning. I have tried Jiffy(which I still have) and Strikemaster so I am excited about trying this. I went out on a limb buying one as I had never seen one before but when I took it out of the box, I really like the handle and throttle and like I said, I am excited to try it. I will post my opinion tomorrow night what I think of it.

Jason

http://www.hardwateradventures.com

[email protected]

[muc33]

Windy, make sure you fire it up in the garage and let it run a bit tobreak it in. PLEASE make sure you do this... Not that I know what happens if you don't, because we did this when ours came, but the reps all say to do so.

Windy, have some happy cutting, I will have to stop out and see you Ice Wheels when I am up in March!!! Looks cool!