Question About A "Hand Auger"

ProVolley9

So, you can dig post holes with a post hole digger, Hang Auger, and a powered Auger.

My question is:

Is a Hand Auger a LOT better than digging post holes with a post hole digger (shovel)?

jmic

I'd say it would depend on the soil conditions in your area. Lots of stones and I'd say ixnay on the auger. If thier are lots of stones, a pry bar and spade post hoe digger would be weapons of choice. If you have nice clean sub soil I'd say either would work just as well.

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Joe

DecksEtc

I sub as amany of my holes as possible to a guy with a Kubota tractor. If I do need to do the occasional hole(s) by hand I use the good two piece shovels. Clam shovels suck (and hurt the knuckles) and those hand augers are useless.

My $0.02...

Mike Finley

In the soil you are talking about you could dig faster with a post hole digger than a hand auger.

Power auger is the way to go. One man if it's only you, two man if you have two guys. Holes will be done before you know it.

ProVolley9

I decided to not waste a few bucks on a hang auger and will just rent a motor auger for my upcoming post hole job.

From what I've heard on this site, buying a hand auger (manual) would be a waste of money....unless I find a frozen lake and want to go ice fishing.

Thanks yet again for the feedback, peoples!

MinConst

I also subbed out post holes whenever possible. The last ones I had to dig in NY I rented a Little beaver. Got one hole dug and returned it for a larger unit with reverse. I was digging into clay 42" depth. Just about killed me half way into the second one. The hydraulic unit did a nice job. Much easier.
I just dug 4 post holes in Florida in about 20 minutes. What a treat.

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RYANINMICHIGAN

I would only buy a hand auger if it came with someone to run it.

A+Carpenter

Yep thats what I do. Big job I go get the Kubota with auger.

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Teetorbilt

Paul, I see that you have migrated! Digging in sand is pretty easy. My home in NC, I quickly gave up on hand tools and rented an auger. I don't know which one of us made the most rotations I then hired a guy with a tractor. He wasn't there when I left for work and when I got home the posts were all set to enclose over an acre.

Right tool for the right job!

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Zack

A power auger is the way to go. I have dug many holes with a hand digger and all I can say is save yourself the pain.

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Peladu

I would do a lot more decks if I didn't have to dig the holes.
That's fo shizzle.

Tom R

I thought fer sure you had your own ogre . . .

Peladu

I do, I call her my wife.

Tom R

Snicker - - I mean, - - you mean 'Snickers' ??

IHI

Like most here, I've dug hundreds by hand with the clam shell and old school auger type/screw type with the T handle, have used the 1 man gas unit and 2 man gas unit, along with the tow behind tetter totter style. Our soil here is mostly dirt the first 12" sometimes clay the first 12" and the rest is sand, no matter which weapon of choice all of the above mentioned will kill your back and shoulders...and some knuckles. Been there done that and will never ever use again as they all suck IMO.

The ONLY way I will dig holes from here on out is with a mini skid and auger attachment!! if we had "mole subs" around here I'd inquire about letting them dig the holes, but we dont...but I'm wasteful in the fact that if I can spend $$$ to save my back and helpers back I will, grew up purchasing/renting the right tools for the job to make life easier and too stubborn to change.

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