own SM laz 224, thinking of buying a Nils

[rocki]

can you tell me your experiences with the nils, my lazer likes to lose blades because of loose bolts, and the collar bolt is always loose, its a great auger when its in full operation, but is the nils all of the lazer and then some??? SM has good customer service so im not knocking them, just looking into something bigger and better. I need to re-open holes in the perm often, with a lot of running and gunning outside the house also.

[mike morris]

We've had our Nils for 3 seasons now, and we love it. Cuts smooth, and it doesn't take much effort from the operator to drill a hole either. It drills fast, and it doesn't kill when you tip it sideways like others do.

[blueroof]

Rocki, so your saying you want to trade your man-blue auger for one of them baby blue ones!? Hopefully they'll have a pink arctic armor suit out next year to go with it... Just kidding..

I have a 224, been lucky and never had a loose bolt yet. I checked all the nuts and bolts after reading another post about the same issue you mention.. I really wanted to ask to try out Deitz's Nils at the Kids FM get together, decided it would be best to not start drilling tons of extra holes with all the little feet running around. Nils would certainly be my first choice if I were to need a new auger, they are quick and light, well designed from what I've seen. I've seen them in action a few times, never tried one yet.

I would either buy a wrench, possibly some new locking nuts. Or test out a nils and see if you like it...

LB

[rocki]

Rocki, so your saying you want to trade your man-blue auger for one of them baby blue ones!? Hopefully they'll have a pink arctic armor suit out next year to go with it... Just kidding..

now thats good!!! haha, made no decisions yet!!

[harvey lee]

My expierence with a Nils seems to be the same as all the others I know that own one. Its fast, light and cuts very well. I have been using one for 2 ice seasons and have not had an issue with it. As far as the blade goes, the only time I have seen any ice be hard on it is at Upper Red lake where there is or can be some sand in the ice. Due to the fact that the blade is a shaver type blade, that type ice can dull it a little faster.

I can usually go one ice season with the same cutting tip and that is with probabaly cutting approx 100 holes on Upper red also.

very happy customer here.

[muc33]

Dan, one of my fishing partners wanted an auger last year, and I talked him into the Nils. We didn't know what to think for sure, but really love it. I still have my trust Strikemaster and it works great, but I must confess, I recently decided to purchased another Nils for myself. It really is the cats meow.

The process is really easy too, no there is no store I went to http://www.outdoorprostore.com/ here on the site and made the purchase online. I got all my questions answered here online and I believe it was Rick that had a great conversation with me about it that really helped in the breaking in process and how the operation worked. It is a decision myself and my friend have yet to regret!

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I am going on my second year with a Nils.

Great auger!

I probably cut close to 1,000 holes a winter!

I have had to replace the blade only once. Sent the old blade in and had it sharpened. I swear the resharpened blade cuts better then the orig.!

Cliff

[Jim Almquist]

I have cut around 300-400 holes this year with my Nils and there are some good points and some that need to be addressed. The auger is very light and cuts super fast. The thing runs and runs no matter what way you lay it down so you will have to use the kill switch if you want to shut it off. With the ice depth being as thick as it is you will find it a pain to clean the holes because it is a shaver not a chipper so you need to lift the auger every now and then to remove the shavings so when you break thru you don't have to scoop so much of the shaved ice. I think that it has make me a better Ice Fisherman due to the fact I don't have a problem moving cause I have to LUG a 3hp motor with cast iron sleeves from hole to hole and that in turn will allow me to find more active fish. If you ever want to test my Nils let me know cause I am open to trying all sorts of new lakes and I feel one should it try out before making that type of investment.

[DTro]

I love my Nils!

Couple of things I really like is that I probably won't ever need an extension and also it is light enough to be mobile all day long.

[Jim Almquist]

I just reread my post and I realized that I did not even talk about how easy the auger cuts. Because it is a shaver there is very minimal resistance so there is very little fatigue when you cut a bunch of holes which helps with that whole body building and hole drilling thing

[DTro]

rocki, if you happen to be around the St Cloud area on Sat I will have my Nils out on the Horseshoe Chain and your more than welcome to give er a whirl.

[Eric Wettschreck]

rocki, I'll toss this at ya.

It sounds to me like your SM needs some new lock nuts, bolts, and a wrench.

I'm not trying to start an auger war. This is my opinion only. No matter the name brand, augers arn't cheap. If a small investment of a couple bucks for some new lock nuts gets you back in the game then why switch? Myself, I believe in using a piece of equipment until it literally falls apart, then I weld it back together and use it until it explodes in my hands, but that's just me.

Having said all that, if you are in the market for a new auger, you really need to check out the Nils. I don't have one, but I've used enough of them to know that they are the lightest and fastest cutting augers I've ever seen. Take DTRO or Jim's offer to use theirs and you will surely be impressed. Nils augers re-open holes real well, also.

[rocki]

good info guys, keep it coming, like the strikemaster, is there bolts and srews on the nils that are always coming loose? were do you get the nils serviced if needed???

[Northlander]

I have ran a Nils I think this is my 3rd winter. Anyways I love it. Starts great, (Amsoil Saber in it) runs great, cuts super fast, light weight, no extension needed unless you get the midget version , good on gas, very very easy to cut with and it helps me move more and drill more holes wich usually means I catch more fish. Its nothing for me to drill 50 holes in 1 small area and with my Nils its not a chore anymore. I remember a older 3 horse 10" I had. Man that was a back breaker and my forearms were sore for days after lugging that thing around. Not anymore with my Nils.

If your the type that moves a lot or drills a lot of holes than a NIls is well worth every cent you pay for it. And like I tel everyone no matter what auger you have, carry a extra set of blades with you at all times and break it in good.

Im not sure how many holes I have drilled with my Nils but its a lot (More than any guides I know) and its never let me down.

[mike morris]

Any word on whether Nils is going to come out with a larger blade, 9" or 10" perhaps? Or does the design they have now work best with the 8"?

[Surface Tension]

I have a Nils. As others said, its light, cuts fast, and with hardly any torque. The Tanaka is a superior grade industrial engine made for everyday commercial use. There aren't any of those pesky quirks with this high end powerhead. For the icefisherman that means a reliable powerhead that'll last you a lifetime.

2 Stroke vs 4 Stroke: From Tanaka's site.

"Many people ask us, "When is Tanaka going to build a 4-cycle?" The answer is "We are not!" You don't have to switch to 4-cycle!

Two-stroke is not going away. As other manufacturers push lackluster performing 4-cycle products, Tanaka is committed to providing you with two-stroke powered products now and for the future.

Less moving parts, better power-to-weight, and outstanding throttle response are just a few of the advantages Tanaka products have over 4-cycle or hybrid 4-cycle powered products. Here are some more:

1. Service Costs

Due to the design elements and the additional internal components, labor costs for service and repairs of 4-cycle engines are considerably higher.

2. Maintenance

Standard compact 4-cycle engines utilize oil reservoirs, however their extremely small capacity requires that the owner check it constantly and change it regularly. Since these engines do consume oil, the likelihood of lubrication related failure is significantly higher.

3. Power-to-Weight

Two-stroke engines are usually smaller in size and up to 30 percent lighter than compact 4-cycle engines with the same power rating.

4. Performance

Tanaka two-stroke engines provide more usable power and torque at RPMs most suitable for effectively powering handheld products.

5. Internal Components

Compact 4-cycle engines utilize four times the amount of components as Tanaka two-stroke engines. Many of which are moving and subject to excessive wear."

Less Emissions:

"On March 1, 1998, Tanaka became the first two-stroke manufacturer to certify to the stringent C.A.R.B. Tier II emissions regulations. While most other manufacturers tried to fight the standard and say that it could not be done with two-stroke, Tanaka said, "WE DID IT!"

Today, all Tanaka products comply with EPA phase 2 regulations and all Tanaka product groups are C.A.R.B Tier II compliant. "

Sorry for all the reading but its your money.

Since I've owned a Nils blades the blade has been put through the test. It wasn't till its third season that the blade needed to be sharpened. That was not fault of the blade, I had nicked it on a shovel. Downside is not a lot of retailers carry the blades, that'll change as more retailers put them on the shelves.

Best to have a spare set and you won't miss a day on the ice.

I do sharpen the Nils and you'll have the blade back in 3 days, excluding Sundays and Holidays.

No bolts to come loose, the Nils blade and shaft to powerhead uses lock nuts.

I haven't heard anything about a 9 or 10" coming out but if they did I'm sure they'd step up in CCs.

[Schloogs]

Nice post frank. Good info.