A post hole clam-shell digger, also called post hole pincer or simply post hole digger, is a tool consisting of two articulated shovel-like blades, forming an incomplete hollow cylinder about a foot long and a few inches wide, with two long handles that can put the blades in an “open” (parallel) position or a “closed” …

What tool is used to dig post holes?

A post hole clam-shell digger, also called post hole pincer or simply post hole digger, is a tool consisting of two articulated shovel-like blades, forming an incomplete hollow cylinder about a foot long and a few inches wide, with two long handles that can put the blades in an “open” (parallel) position or a “closed” …

Is a post hole digger worth it?

While that won’t make a lot of difference if you have loamy, soft soil to begin with, for those who have hard-packed clay soils it certainly does. If your soil is very solid, or has a lot of rocks, a post hole digger is an essential tool to have.

How deep can a 2 man auger dig?

How Deep Can Power Augers Dig? Most augers dig about 3 ft.deep, but for deeper holes, ask for an extension rod (Photo 5), usually for no extra fee.

Can I dig a post hole with a shovel?

With the turf removed, a long-handled shovel does a good job of removing the dirt. Dig with the blade plumb and the handle pushed forward to keep the walls of the hole straight up and down. … Once you’ve sheared off the sides of the hole into the bottom, then you scoop out the loose fill.

Will an auger go through tree roots?

The most effective method of installing a post through a root is to drill through it. There is a power tool available known as an auger that will drill through the root, and allow you to put the post right where you need it.

How long does it take to dig a post hole?

Post Hole Digging Tools In such soil, it can dig a 4-foot-deep hole that is the perfect size for a fence post in a matter of minutes.

What is the best way to dig a post hole?

You can use a post hole digger or power auger to dig the hole. A post hole digger is a manual tool and will get the job done in average soil. If you have hard, rocky soil or a lot of roots – you may want to opt for a power auger. Many home improvement stores have them available for rent.

How big should a hole be for a 6x6 post?

Dig, align, and finish the job Dig an 8″-diameter hole at least 6″ deeper than your area’s frost line for each 4×4 post, using a power auger, hand auger, or post-hole digger. A 6×6 post requires a 10″-diameter hole. Shovel a 6″ layer of gravel into the hole to provide drainage.

How big of a hole do you need for a 4x4 post?

The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you’re planning on using a four-inch round or 4×4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that’s 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.

Article first time published on

Are electric post hole diggers any good?

Best Electric Post Hole Digger With a powerful 1,500-watt electric motor capable of spinning a steel auger bit at to 2,700 revolutions per minute (rpm), the XtremepowerUS Industrial Electric Post Hole Digger is a great machine if you can to work close to a power source and don’t want a gas-burning unit.

What can I use if I don't have a post hole digger?

A special tile shovel slices through roots and turf and gets the hole started more easily. Unless you have very soft soil, you’ll work way too hard digging with just a clamshell digger. Loosen the soil and carve away at the sides with the tile spade. It’ll easily slice through small roots.

How do I dig a post hole next to my house?

Use a post hole digger tool: Use a post hole digger to ensure perfectly sized holes for your fence post. Using a hole digger tool is ideal because if you dig with a normal shovel you’ll end up with a hole that’s much larger than you need.

How deep do post holes need to be?

Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).

How deep should a 3 foot fence post be?

The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.

How close can you put a fence post to a tree?

For example, if your tree trunk has a diameter of 6 inches, the best placement for your fence would be at least 6 feet away from the tree trunk. For a tree with a 2-foot diameter trunk, you would convert the 2 feet to inches (24) and place any trenching or fence-post hole digging 24 feet away from the tree.

How do you deal with tree roots when digging holes?

1. Electric Auger Method. Step 1: Use the Post Hole Digger. Step 2: Use A Helping Hand. Step 3: Position Your Auger. Step 4: Keep Your Auger Steady. Step 5: Check the Root.
2. DIY Method. Step 1: Remove Dirt. Step 2: Use Your Landscape Bar. Step 3: Set the Hole for Your Post.

How many bags of concrete do I need for a 6x6 post?

Most fence post holes will need between 1 – 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.

How do you anchor a 6x6 post in the ground?

1. Dig the post hole, making it three times the width of the post and at a depth equal to 1/3 to 1⁄2 of the above-ground length of the post, plus 6″ (right). …
2. Pour 6″ of gravel or crushed stone into the bottom of the hole. …
3. Set the post in the hole.

Should wood fence posts be set in concrete?

Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.

Do I need gravel under my fence post?

DO Employ a Base Gravel Layer If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it’s likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. … Next, pour an additional three inches of gravel into the hole, tamping down a second time.

How many bags of concrete do I need for a 4x4 post?

Depth50 Lb Bags10″-14″216″-22″324″30″432″36″5

How far apart do you put fence posts?

Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn’t cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.

Is 2 ft deep enough for fence post?

2 feet is the minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for. To dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height, is a general formula. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has.

What is the difference between a post hole digger and an auger?

What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger? The difference between the two is in how they dig holes. You thrust a traditional post hole digger into the ground and remove the soil between the scoops. An auger “screws” into the ground and transports dirt along the blade up to the surface.

How long does it take to dig a 6 foot hole with a shovel?

It takes 0.07 hours (4.24 minutes) to dig 1.23 cubic yards of earth in stable soil. This means it takes 4.24 minutes to dig a 6 foot deep hole of 16 inches diameter.

Is it OK to attach fence to house?

Don’t attach the fence to the house. Aside from putting holes in your siding (not a good thing), your fence and your house will most likely move differentially. The attachment could result in a tear of the siding, which would be a bad thing.

How close to my house can I dig?

As long as your foundation is structurally secure, you can dig right beside it without compromising its integrity — until you reach the footing. Potential problems with the dig include trench collapse and the unintended disturbance of utility lines or pipes.

How close to my house can I dig a hole?

However, for practical purposes (leaving the legal requirements aside), it is generally safe to dig holes no more than 300mm deep (12 inches) on your property, and it’s much safer and non-risky to dig holes no more than 100mm deep (4 inches).