Strikemaster Auger Bit Question

[trffisherman4]

I just got a brand new Strikemaster Bit last winter and this winter I am having a lot of trouble with it cutting. I took it to the river and it was a little too shallow(dumb) and hit dirt. Ever since then it doesnt cut worth a darn. The blades are sharp, and it does have to tip on the end to keep it from dancing around in the hole, but it still doesn't cut! I don't understand it, I have to have 2 people bouncing on it to get it to make it through the ice. The only thing i can think of is if something get bent on the bit. So if anybody knows anything about strikemaster bits or may have a suggestion to what might be wrong it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[anyfishwilldo]

The blades can feel sharp to the touch, but are still dull. It doesn't take much to make them not work well. A small nick or something will render them useless. Also, you might have bent it out of pitch. Give SM cust service a call. They have one the best cust service departments that I have ever dealt with.

[danwilliams]

Same thing happened to me last winter....sand off a car parked on ice I guess....blades seemed sharp. Bought new blades and back in business....

[trffisherman4]

Would you recomend going and buying a blade sharpener? (ive recently just been sharpening with a fine file)... Or would i just be better off forkin over the dough for a new set of blades?

[PerchPounder]

I Have a hand sharpener for my lazer hand auger that works pretty well but I've had to use it quite often to keep them sharp. With a gas auger I would guess you could get by with less it is made with a guide on it so you get the correct pitch on the blade every time you use it. Another option might be to find a place that does a blade exchange it would be a little easier on the pocket book if that is an issue.

[anyfishwilldo]

 Originally Posted By: trffisherman4

Would you recomend going and buying a blade sharpener? (ive recently just been sharpening with a fine file)... Or would i just be better off forkin over the dough for a new set of blades?

If you have sharpened them with a file, and have the pitch off just a little bit they wont cut either. I tried that with my old mag III and f'ed it up badly. The blade was very sharp but the angle was just off ever so slightly. Buy a new set and send in your old set to SM to be sharpened on their blade exchange program. That way you will always have a sharp set. It has worked well for me for a number of years now.

[trffisherman4]

Perfect! Thanks everyone!

[OldBear]

Let us know how much better they work after you get some sharp ones back on. Lot of dirt in river ice and the sharpening is very critical of angle.

[LIVE4FISH]

this just happend to me last week. the problem ended up being that the screws for the blades were loose. hope this helps