I borrowed a hand auger from a friend of mine to use for ice fishing this season. It is my first season ever ice fishing so I am new to the whole experience. I have been out a few times already and been lucky enough to either be with someone who has a nicer auger or find some holes that are barely frozen over.
The times that I have tried to bore a hole with mine I have noticed it does not cut through the ice at nearly the speed and efficiency of some others I have tried. I am guessing the blades need to be sharpened since it has not been used in years and stored in the garage at my friends.
What is the best way to sharpen the blades? Is there somewhere near Rexburg that will do a professional job? Or where can I buy some new blades and how much do they usually cost?
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I would just get some new blades. They run somewhere around $10-$15. You will find that new blades make a huge difference. I haven't had good luck having the sharpened. I usually buy mine online.
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You can buy new ones or you can them sharpened by sending them in.
C&R, Where do you get them for $10-15? Where I've been getting mine done I get them sharpened (blade exchange program) for $20 or buy new ones for $25.
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Sorry I was wrong on my price. I got 4 pair about 3 years ago so I haven't checked the price since then. I didn't realize they went up that much in price.
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I tend to use an extra fine file and resharpen the edge like that for a year or two then i buy a new set of blades. I bought a set of serrated blades 2 years ago and love them.
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This may sound wasteful but I found that new blades cost $25-$30. And a new auger costs $35. By the time I wear out the blades, the auger itself is usually worn out too, (cracked handle, connection screw stipped, or whatever). So I chuck the old auger in the recycle bin and just go buy a new auger. [
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Well it makes sense if you have issues with your hand auger to replace them both. I ditched my old hand auger after making 2 2' extentions for it and still not breaking though the ice in alaska. I was so worn out that i just went home. Then the wife got me a power auger and i have never looked back. That being said, is why i sharpen or replace blades over buying a new unit.
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Thanks for the info.
I looked into buying a new auger and the cheapest one I found around Rexburg was $45. I also found some blades at Cal Ranch for around $25. I think I just might try using my file to sharpen the old ones and if that does not work then I will probably buy a new auger and give this old one back to my buddy.
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Cutters are computer sharpened. I would try a sharpening stone to hone the blade. Most times sharpening with a file is to aggressive and just ruins the blades.
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The times that I have been succesful at sharpening my own blades, I used my crock sticks like a stone. It can work, but I've also messed up blades that way. My friend has one of these: [url "http://www.strikemaster.com/store/icefish_accessories/lazer_sharpener.html"]http://www.strikemaster.com/store/icefish_accessories/lazer_sharpener.html[/url]
but I haven't had occasion to try it yet. I don't think he has either at this point.
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I Know there is a guy in Pocatello that used to sharpen them for$10 but thats been about 5 years ago, wish I could remember his name, but he also does knives. Might try to look up guys that do knife and saw blade sharpening. Ive tried myself and i was so off i would start straight up and down and by the time i got done drilling my hole, the auger would be almost at a 45 degree angle, LMAO. So just got them sharpened by this guy and havent had to do it since and they are still working great.
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I have one of them sharpeners . I hope you have better luck with it . I cound not tell that it helped at all . I have also tried a file and a stone with no luck . I just change the blades at the start of the year . When I get a few used sets I think I will send them in for sharpening . Curt G.
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I went ahead and tried with the file and it made a little difference. Instead of not making a hole at all, it bored a pretty nice hole but I did notice it was a little crooked. For now it will work but it was still a lot of work to get some holes bored out in order to fish
On a better note we had a good day fishing. Nothing too spectacular but we did manage to get into some perch which was a lot of fun. We had 3 poles in one hole and pulled perch out on all of them...(We were lucky not to tangle the lines!)
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[quote FishingRookie]On a better note we had a good day fishing. Nothing too spectacular but we did manage to get into some perch which was a lot of fun. We had 3 poles in one hole and pulled perch out on all of them...(We were lucky not to tangle the lines!)[/quote]
Nice! I doubled on 2 lines in one hole last Saturday with only a minimal tangle. Was very surprised to double. A triple is awesome!
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good going on the triple. Man the must have been nice. If it was me i would be talking about it for years.
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Well a power auger is a different story all together. The amount of torque you get from the motor far out strips anything a human can generate for a hand auger. That is why attempting to sharpen the blades of a hand auger does not work, but I can see why it would work for the power auger.
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had to go Google a pic to see what they looked like. Looks like there removable from head so why couldn't you just put them in a vise and use a belt sander? we have a blade similar used to strip linoleum from concrete floors and that's what we do. It also works to turn belt sander upside down and use vise grips to hold blade. there are also polishing and sharpening stones for dremils that's what i use to sharpen my chain saw
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If the perch were anything to brag about I would...but 3 fish is a nice accomplishment
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Stop fighting dulling blades. Get a Nils master auger. My buddy has had his for 10+ yrs and has yet to sharpen it. Although he half mentioned it last year. Never went through with it after watching it out cut all but a few of the gas augers at Ririe. I've had mine for 3 yrs and it cuts through ice as quick now as it did new.
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[
] Try using an ice auger blade sharpening tool. They have a solid plastic handle and two very small sharpening pieces on the end. This tool only costs $ 6.00 or $7.00 dollars to buy. I have used mine for a dozen years or more and haven't bought a new pair of cutting blades since I bought it. Sharpens the blades at the perfect ankle to keep them razor sharp. It has a guard on it to keep from slicng your thumb or knuckles too. Fits in the palm of your hand. Try finding one at Sportsman Warehouse or Walmart where I bought mine years ago.
Never , never, never use a file on your blades! You will ruin the angle of the edge and in turn ruin your blades. Also never drill in very shallow water (less than 4 to 5 feet) or you're likely to hit rocks and chip the edge of your blades, then they won't drill any hole and it's new blade time. I know cause I've done it. [:/]
DeeCee
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