Auger

An auger is a device that uses a helical screw blade to move material or to bore into a solid. The term encompasses both drill-type augers used to make holes and screw conveyors used to transport bulk materials through a tube or trough. The core component is a rotating helical blade that acts as both cutting edge and transport mechanism.

Woodworking and ice fishing use hand or powered augers. In woodworking, an auger bit is a large, spiral drill designed to bore clean holes in wood, often with a central piercing point. In ice fishing, an ice auger is a hollow drill designed to cut through ice. Earth augers, powered by a hand crank or motor, bore holes for fence posts, planting, or soil sampling. In industry, screw conveyors use a long auger inside a tube to move grains, pellets, or other bulk solids.

Operation and design: As the device rotates, the helical blade shears and removes material where it contacts the cutting edge, and the same blade pushes the material along the shaft for removal. The geometry—blade pitch, diameter, and tip—determines cutting efficiency and the amount of material moved per revolution.

Safety and maintenance: Sharpening or replacing cutting edges is common; for power augers, guards and anti-kickback features are important. Proper use includes stabilizing the device, minimizing rebound, and ensuring material can be safely cleared from the helix.