Digging fenceposts

[bobnotthe builder]

Last time I did this it took ages with a pick and shovel and obviously the hole was much wider than necessary to accommodate the tools. Need to do the other side of the garden now and was considering either a manual auger (petrol driven too expensive for 6 posts) or a post hole digger which looks like 2 narrow shovels facing each other and which you drive into the ground, scoop up a bit of earth etc. Has anyone used these? Preferences? Thanks

 

[wrathkeg]

try this:

//www.diynot.com/forums/garden/post-holes.370751/

 

[Burnerman]

I guess it all depends on what sort of ground it is......those two spade things are fine in soil but struggle in stony ground.
A drainage spit would be used in time gone by, and it's still a very good tool!
It would be a petrol auger hire for me......
John

 

[Newboy]

Use this to dig the hole

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Lan...ing+Tools/sd2822/Roughneck+Digging+Bar/p48155


And this to lift the loose earth out

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p55706

 

[scbk]

Pinch bar/fencing bar is what you need for breaking up the soil.

The Roughneck post hole digger will do the job fine for a few posts but it's not as good as a proper shuvholer

 

[ladiesman020]

I use a newcastle draninage shovel to dig post holes

 

[r896neo]

+1 for newcastle draining spade.

 

[coopersim]

After having dug 18 of the ruddy things at the weekend I can tell you what you don't need: a broken spade and a trowel!

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

Having dug 22 5' deep holes for piles in extremely pebbley ground (melted tip of a "Beaver" powered auger), a wet and dry vacuum cleaner with a 2 1/2" hose is good. use a poker to break up the soil, use vacuum cleaner to remove it.
Frank