Back and forth drilling motion when using an auger?

[MichaelAngelo]

I've heard a few people mention that they drill holes by moving the auger 1/2 turn one way and then 1/2 turn the other way instead of simply rotating in a constant circle? Is there any advantage to this?

Michael

[MuskieBait]

That's terrible...don't know who you hear that from...

Every time you back it off, and then turn again, your blade bangs against the tiny edge of ice that was formed from the last cut...fastest way to dull the blade...

Imagine going through 24" of ice doing that the whole time? You'll never get a hole drilled.

You really only back it up if you're close to the last tiny bit of ice until you hit water...sometimes the ice gets a bit "sticky"...and as water seeps up, it makes the last bit of ice difficult to shave off. That's when you don't want to force the blade through (bend the angle of the blade)...but rather back it up and try to find a new spot for the blade to grab.

The rotation of the auger blades is really just designed to shave off the surface of the ice layer by layer. You need a constant rotation with downward pressure to shave off the ice. You accomplish nothing by doing 1/2 rotations...

Don't even try that messed up method with my auger...or you'll be buying me new blades...I'm serious...

[Jeremy Ray Green]

What MB, Said, Careful with those blades.

not Even a Full Ice season, and I either need to get mine sharpend or Get replacement blades,
I had one friend actually think he had to hammer it down into the ice before he started drilling...
I guess I'm nicer Than MB, Or maybe its just his good looking daughter?? I dunno ....

The blades of your auger should be treated as razor blades. Keep them protect from cutting you and from getting dull


~Jeremy

[MichaelAngelo]

Got it.

I probably misunderstood what I was overhearing... or I was overhearing other noobs... blind leading blind style.

[Brodylavoie]

Lol Jeremy.

1:Bang bang bang!
2:"What're you trying to accomplish over here sir?"
1:"I'm drilling a hole. What does it look like I'm doing?"
2:"With a hammer? Well, the best of luck to you."

4 hrs and many fish later a sound can be heard in the distance... Bang bang bang....

[Eli]

(01-24-2013 12:22 AM)Jeremy Ray Green Wrote:  I had one friend actually think he had to hammer it down into the ice before he started drilling...

Brutal. I would have been livid.

...but yeah, the only time for back and forth is in the last 1-2" of ice before you break through.

Did you end up getting the FinBoreIII, Michael?

[MichaelAngelo]

(01-24-2013 10:00 AM)Eli Wrote:  Did you end up getting the FinBoreIII, Michael?

Took her for a test spin this morning at a local pond .

Now that I have proper winter attire and the weather is bitter cold, she's going to see plenty of action in the coming weeks.