Anyone try to hand sharpen gas auger blades?

[DDSBYDAY]

   I brought my auger into the shop without the blade protector on it.  The cord for the protector  had broken and I had hoped to get a new one at the shop.  They did not have any.  Long story short- the throttle cable was fixed and works perfectly.  The blades were bounced off the cement while it was being worked on.  I have another set that are all ready to go but they are at the lake of no fish-3 hrs away.  I can feel the burs in the 2 blade edges.  My plan is to take either fine sand paper or the dremmel to it to take the burrs off the blades.  They were sharp before the shop.  I figure it couldn't be any worse the last time I used it after it was fixed.   I was able to get 1 hole drilled by friction and bouncing through the ice.  I won't be traveling far and I really want to get out.   Anyone ever tried this?    I am not buying another set of blades.  If it doesn't work no great loss.  I think when I get the burrs off I will run my little Normark Teflon knife sharpener to it.  I know it had a good edge to it before the repair work was done.

[corny13]

Yep I do all the time with a fine file first for burrs and then a old wet stone for the final edge.

[icebanger]

If its a strikemaster you can not sharpen them I bought the tool to do it but it dosent work...If it is a strikemaster you can exchange them at there shop in Big Lake and its half the price of new blades.

[DDSBYDAY]

   This just gave me a great idea for the first video.  I got the new camera so I will bring my stuff out to the lake and see if I can get the blades to cut.  I don't know the results but I have to use the camera for something.  I will bring rods just in case I can alter the blades enough to get a hole drilled.  I can't imagine that the blades will be any worse.  Stay tuned, this could be a bust or very informative.      My goal now is to film emergency auger blade repair.  I have a couple of ideas that I would try first.  The repair will take place on the ice so no power tools will be used.  Toss out any tips you may have.  I am going to see if it can be done.   

[sandmannd]

Where did you have the service work done? I would be getting a new set of blades out of them.

[Go Big Red!]

File before anything else.  Any type of grinding tool (Dremel, air grinder, etc.) won't give you an even cut and you'll cause more damage I believe.

Keep us posted.

[DDSBYDAY]

  I was upset at first. The problem is I knew I should have the blade protector on .  3 minutes or less of my time could have prevented this.  If the blade cover would have been on then it would be a different story.   Now I am looking forward to finding out what will happen.  Like I said, the cutting could not be any worse.  I know there was a good edge on the blade so if I buff off the burrs it may cut well.  I consider it a learning experience. Plus I get a chance to try out the HD vid camera.

[wildlifeminnesota]

   This just gave me a great idea for the first video.  I got the new camera so I will bring my stuff out to the lake and see if I can get the blades to cut.  I don't know the results but I have to use the camera for something.  I will bring rods just in case I can alter the blades enough to get a hole drilled.  I can't imagine that the blades will be any worse.  Stay tuned, this could be a bust or very informative.      My goal now is to film emergency auger blade repair.  I have a couple of ideas that I would try first.  The repair will take place on the ice so no power tools will be used.  Toss out any tips you may have.  I am going to see if it can be done.   

  I  as much as your auger been broken, You would be the best one for the job,  Get it done,,, we will be waiting  for your 

[sandmannd]

I don't disagree with you on the blade cover, but a good repair shop would have put one on while they worked on it. I still say it's on them to get you some new blades.

[doomanmxz99]

I have a Strikemaster and you can sharpen them with a fine file just go slow and even.Now as far as the cover with those cheap rubber holders. I took a short nylon bungee cord and cut the hooks off and used the knot on the one end and stretched out the other and tied my own knot and it has been on there 2 years now with no problem.

[Tyler Rother]

Speaking of covers... these are awesome. We just picked one up for my old man for Christmas and he loves it. http://www.coldsnapcover.com/.

Tyler

[DDSBYDAY]

   I like that.  Great idea.

[katfishkeith]

I think you should bring along a pile of firewood to burn a hole through the ice, if your sharpening

totally wrecks the blades....jk, but I did have an idea, when you get done, at the end when you

power through the 35 inches of ice and bring the auger up out of the hole, you swing it over -

turn it off, a big smile on your face, you say " See, its so easy, a cave man can do it ! "   

[DDSBYDAY]

   I decided I am going to do the blade modifications in my garage.  You guys will have to take my word for how bad the blades are.   If it doesn't work no big deal.  I have to give it a try.   Like I said I have another set of blades 3 hrs. away that are ready to go so I am not getting a 3rd set.  If it takes less than a third of a tank of gas to get through the ice it will be a success.

[Sew Sille]

Dont sharpen the bottom of the blade. try to fallow the angle of blade from the fat to the point.Wes

[Sew Sille]

All so I like that blade cover.Nice.

[DDSBYDAY]

     Well I gave it a try.  The medial or center most part of both blades had large burrs from being banged on the ground or run on cement.  The blades were sharp before the throttle cable work so I used a steel knife sharpener on it.  I think they call these a steel.  It is long and round and you rub your knife blades against them.  My goal was to knock down the burrs without taking off the blades.  As I did it I was not optimistic.   Turns out it worked.  I knocked off the burrs and the blade no longer jumped and skipped.  It was not as good as the blades were before but I was easily able to punch a couple of holes.   (I did not have much gas left so I was lucky).  It turns out I was glad I brought the rods along because the fish were biting.

[attachment deleted by admin]