Treatment of auger blades for storage.

[sib]

Well, seasons done for ice fishing here in S.W. Michigan and I'm sorting through items and getting ready to put them in the barn. I was curious if anyone does anything to treat their auger blades before storing them. I was thinking about covering the blades with gun oil to keep them from pitting or rusting in the off season. Sounds like a good idea, but wanted to know if there is something better to use.

[Toolman]

Sib,
Gun oil is probably OK. Vaseline (sp) works good, too. Also I have a spray can of "stuff", can't remember the name, that puts a oily/sticky residue on the surface. Great for storing saw blades and other tools for long term protection. If I remember, I'll look at it tonight and post the name.
Think spring,
Tim

[RANGER]

sib,

Go to a motorcycle shop near you or a GOOD auto parts store and get something called "motorcycle chain lube". This stuff goes on like foaming WD-40 but the viscosity changes to something on the order of horse glue within about 20 seconds. You could foam it on, spread it all over the blades and let it set-up. This would give you a non running coat that penetrates and protects the metal.

Try it. Ju' vil like it!

[Backwater Eddy]

Sib I fall back on my farm upbringing. When you stored a nice shiny plow the standard procedure was to coat the polished surfaces with grease to keep air away and eliminate rust. Sure that was on a much larger scale then a cutting edge on an ice auger, the idea is just the same. As a kid anything that involved 5-gal pail of grease and a barn brush was not work, it was fun Eh. Mom didn’t see it that way, but I sure did. :D

I sharpen the cutting edges and the center point, then coat the blades liberally with common grease. Wrap a bag around the blades and put the blade protector on for storage.

Much nicer to have the blades all sharp, rust free, and ready to roll when you need them at first ice next season then rushing to get them done before you go.

Backwater Eddy ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Eyez]

man you guys are making me feel lazy, I just hang the auger on a hook in the barn and leave it, same gas and all with a little sta-bil in it. Sharpen the blade once a year with a good file, takes 15 minutes, and go ;)


Eyez

[Suzuki]

Whatever's handy at the time. WD, remoil, silicon. Just about anything will do.

[REW]

Ed,
I am from MT. and we did exactly the same thing as you. i.e. grease down the plow shares to keep them from rusting.

When ever I store the ice auger - I take a handful of wheel bearing grease and coat the cutting blades. It is good to go - until I cut the first hole the next season. The ice will take off all of the grease, and it will be shiny new.

On the same vein as the grease on the plow shares - this happened to me many years ago.

It was fall and my father had asked that I prep the plow shares, by coating them all from the bucket of grease on the fuel wagon.

I went down, got the bucket of grease, went to the plow and began to coat the plow shares.

After about the 4th plow share, I looked down, and noticed that the grease was turning red. It seems that someone had accidently broken a glass jug and some of the broken bits of glass had ended up in the grease bucket. As I used my bare hand to grease up the plow shares - i nice grease coated piece of glass - made a nice slice in the palm of my hand - the scars of which - I carry today.

Remember - look for glass - before greasing.

Take care
REW

[Backwater Eddy]

Yikes! Red grease could quickly appear on an ice auger blade too if a guy was not careful.

I remember using both my hands and a whitewash brush but the hands were more fun, especially when you’re 6 years old.

REW, did you ever grease the dogs ears in the summer when the barn flys were really bad?

:)

Backwater Eddy ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[REW]

Lets see - dogs ears, horses tails, brothers feet, sisters hair -- etc. etc. etc.

Kids need to keep busy - right??

Take care
REW