Hey Skippy,
Here's a tip for using that auger.
The key to quick and easy drilling is
to concentrate on keeping the auger
shaft as straight up and down as possible
while cranking at a slow deliberate speed.
You don't need to push down hard like
on the old drills of the past. It your
technique is right the drill will go down into
the ice without alot of downward force.
Technique is key. If after using your auger
for a season it does not cut without you
needing to push down hard, it's now time
to get it sharpened. There is an address
in the Normark box where you can send dull blades
each summer. To get sharpened by a pro.
It's worth the aggrevation of cutting a hole
for 10 minutes.
It is true, you can cut a hole faster that a
power auger. You can't cut a dozen in a row
faster though. Not, without risking a heart attack.
Good luck,
BATMAN