Tips For Using Ice Augers

• Ice augers are as important to ice fishermen as fishing poles. Karl Weatherly/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Manual and motor-driven augers are used by ice fishermen to bore holes through the surface of frozen ponds and lakes in order to get to the fish underneath. One key to productive ice-auger usage is proper maintenance of the bit blades before, during and after operation. If you're using a manual ice auger, another factor that will affect the tool's efficiency is your upper body strength.

Maintain the Blades

• Keeping the blades of your ice auger sharp will make boring a hole through the ice much easier and faster. When trying to drill a hole in bitterly cold winter conditions, you'll want your ice auger to be quick and efficient in penetrating through to the water. To that end, it's important to not drop the auger blades onto an icy surface, because that can dent, warp or blunt blade edges, making drilling more difficult. Also remember to place the blade guard over the bottom of your ice auger when not in use for further protection from blade dents and nicks.

  Between uses, the auger blades should be dried and lubricated with WD-40 to prevent rust formation.

Make Sure Parts Are Tightly Secured

• For safety as well as efficiency reasons, it's a good idea to check the blade screws before using your ice auger. Loose auger blades will alter the pitch of the auger, causing it to bore with less precision. Loose blades can become further loosened during operation to the point of detaching from the main unit and causing injury. Inspect and tighten the blade screws before operating your ice auger.

  If you're using a motorized auger, make sure the collar bolt is tightened where it attaches to the motor.

Let the Blades do the Work

• If you're using a manual ice auger, it might be tempting to lean your body weight into the auger as you turn the crank and rotate the blades. Leaning into the auger won't increase boring efficiency. Use your strength to turn the blades, and let the rotating grooves of the blade pull the drill bit farther down through the ice with each successive turn. You may need to use an extension handle with your manual auger for extra leverage when drilling through ice more than a foot thick.

  If you have to momentarily stop boring, remove the auger from the hole. Leaving the auger in a partially bored hole can cause the blades to freeze to the surrounding ice.