Sharpening Blades

[hedgesd]

I was wondering how you guys sharpen your auger blades or do you just buy new ones?
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[FlyFishingMoose]

[url "http://www3.sympatico.ca/sconnell/Polish2SharpBlades.htm"]http://www3.sympatico.ca/sconnell/Polish2SharpBlades.htm[/url]


[url "http://www3.sympatico.ca/sconnell/IceAugerCare.htm"]http://www3.sympatico.ca/sconnell/IceAugerCare.htm[/url]

[url "http://users.syd.eastlink.ca/~geojes/blades.html"]http://users.syd.eastlink.ca/~geojes/blades.html[/url]

I found this info for you.
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[Fish-Dog]

HFT has blades for about $10.00, most people spend more than that on snacks each trip. I am pretty good with a stone, however I have never been able to successfully sharpen ice auger blades. The tip shown above about using a felt buffer and buffing compound sounds like a good idea.

I drill a lot of holes and if I take care of the auger, the blades will last 2 years. I see a lot of people banging their blades down on the ice, or walking along using the auger as a walking stick. This is the worst thing other than drilling rock that you can do to the blades. The sharp edges of the blades should be treated like a sparrow egg.

There's not much worse than a dull auger to take the fun out of ice fishing. If it takes more than about 12 or 15 turns to go through 6" ice it's time to invest in new blades.

fdg
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[Fishrmn]

hedgesd,

Buy new. Save your old ones and for 5 bucks a set Ardisam will put a factory edge on 'em.

Fishrmn

[hedgesd]

Thanks guys for the info. I might try and resharpen this pair with that buffing tecnigue. I 've done a lot of deburring for airplane parts so this should be easy.
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[PREDATOR]

I work in a machine metal shop with grinders and all the toys.

Its lots more fun just to go buy a new set.

If your time is worth less than the price of new blades, then go for it.

But if you spend three hours sharpening, and dont get as good an edge as new blades, for ten bucks you might as well have saved the time, and spent the ten bucks.

Personally, I would much rather go into hooked and talk with james while purchasing new blades, than go into work on my own time and grind blades.

Anyone who wants to play with sharpening blades, let me know. I will save my old ones for you.
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[walleyebob]

I have sharpened my blades a few times. A diamond hone works good. NEVER EVER EVER TOUCH THE BOTTOM!!!!
Just pretend the blade is a knife blade and try to hone it on the factory angle. Doesn't take a lot to get them cutting again.
It's a lot like sharpening drill bits. Sometimes they look perfect and won't cut anything, and sometimes they work real good. I carry a couple extra sets in my ice fishing everything box, just in case.

Bob
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[Theekillerbee]

I'm on the same page as Predator....what is your time worth? You need to be good, because the slightest change in blade angle will make your auger more difficult to use. Just go buy a replacement set, that will give you an excuse to go to the sporting goods store![]
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[Curtisfish]

I have a cheapo handheld sharpener made for auger blades. It only sharpens one side. After using it for a few years now, I have decided this; I buy new blades each year. The "sharpener" works great for when the blades just need a touch up. They clean the edge up, but will not sharpen old worn out blades. I'll have it with me Saturday on Starvation if anyone is interested in trying it or just to see what it looks like.

With that said, if you want one, Wal-Mart and K-Mart carry them. Red pistol style grip with a black finger guard. It runs about $5.00 and can save you on a long drilling day, not to mention on a day when you don't have a replacement set with you on the ice and hit a beer can 3 inches down. Well worth the money, as long as you just need a touch up. The one with the blue grip is for knives and scissors, don't try that one on augers unless you want to just skip across the top of the ice all day long.
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[gshadow]

I have a lansky sharping system and use it at the end of each season and it works very well. in fact I sliced my hand with them this summer and required 7 stiches to close the cut. and again never touch the bottom only the top
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