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What is the easiest way to dig a post hole?
There’s no question about it — the fastest and easiest way to dig post holes is to use a gas-powered earth auger. Fill the tank with gas, position the auger on the ground, fire it up, hold on tight and watch the soil come streaming out of the hole.
How deep should a fence post hole be?
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). Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole.
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.
How do you dig a post hole without an auger?
How to Dig a Hole: Pro Tips Step 1: String your line and pound the stakes. Step 2: Carve out a soil divot with a spade. Step 3: Loosen earth with a tile shovel. Step 4: Use your clamshell digger. Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw on large roots. Step 6: Dislodge rocks with a digging bar. Step 7: Tamp the soil with the other end.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
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.
How many bags of concrete do I need for a post hole?
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.
Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?
Fast-setting concrete is ideal for setting posts because there’s no mixing—you simply pour the dry concrete from the bag right into the hole, then add water.
Should fence posts be set in concrete?
Setting Fence Posts in Concrete Concrete is the most secure material for setting fence posts, especially if you have sandy soil. Gravel may be okay with dense, clay-heavy soil, but in looser soil, concrete is the only thing that will truly keep your fence posts stuck in place.
What tool is used to dig holes?
Shovels, spades and forks are the most common implements. For bigger jobs, a digging bar, post hole digger, mattock or pick may be necessary. Power tools, such as tillers and augers, can actually make digging fun.
Can you dig a post hole by hand?
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.
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.
Will an auger cut through 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 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.
How tall should a fence be for a 6-foot fence?
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need to place at least 1/3 the height of the post in the ground. For example, a 6-foot tall fence will need at least 2 feet of post in the ground.
How deep can you dig with a post hole digger?
Depth Capacity Most manual post hole diggers have long handles that enable digging down to depths of around 4 feet, which is code in many areas for deck and fence posts. A depth of 4 feet will also bring you below the frost line in all but the most frigid climates.
How do I drive a post to hard ground?
“You can use either a pneumatic hammer drill that runs off an air compressor, or an electric hammer drill and a generator. These work fairly well, if you use a heavy-duty industrial model. A small one won’t do the job in big rocks,” he says. With a good drill, you can put posts into fairly solid rock.
