How to Dig a Perfect Post Hole, Fast (+ Pro tips)

[@sharkrivermachine]

I chopped off a root with my digging bar, it turned out to be the high pressure gas line to my house. That made for some excitement for me and my neighbors.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

YIKES! As the US Navy Safety Center reports used to describe gas explosions: "FOON!"

[@bonniebon7335]

😂😂

[@ItchyKneeSon]

This is exactly what I'd expect SOOOO many to do. There's a hotline to call before you dig: 811. A SAFER way to dig is with a power washer (0* tip) and a shop vac. It'll get around gas lines and roots so you can go back and identify what you're cutting and what you shouldn't (unless you're looking for some excitement in your life... lol).

[@aukeykema9689]

@@ItchyKneeSon Good tip , thanks

[@kendavis8046]

Having used and still owning a post-hole digger, you have made me understand why eventually I quit using that and went and rented a powered auger. Then I realized that still made me sore, so I hired folks to do it.

[@Hoaxer51]

And they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! Lol

[@Fiercefighter2]

We always rent an auger attachment for our excavator whenever we have to do multiple post holes.

[@timgood6574]

You are absolutely the only human being that I would spend 11 minutes of my day watching dig a hole lol. Last year I purchased a demolition hammer with a spade bit just to dig footers for a deck , in my area of the lack of rain caused the ground to be so hard a digging bar was useless. Thanks for all your videos and keep up the good work.

[@apostema]

"A change is as good as a rest." I'll be trying that one on my son.

[@sawdustadikt979]

That shovel bit, I didn’t know that was a thing, but I wasn’t looking either. Thanks for that! I live and work as a renovation carpenter in coastal New England. We have that glacially packed, rock and gravel ridden soil. Can be pretty tough. I keep an angle grinder or a file at the ready for my go to post holes tools which are a trench shovel, post hole diggers, a post iron like you have and a hoedag. A sharp trench shovel seems to glide through everything, like a chisel, including roots. I was helping a contractor I used to work for, older guy but an ass kicker at 70. He introduced it to me when we got past the top soil. Total game changer.

[@deuceandguns]

In my world of rocky red clay, I simply rent an auger. It's well worth the money.

[@anthonyraines5951]

I know that feelin brother. I'm in SC and I ain't got nothin but clay and rock

[@instantsiv]

My dad tried that in clay and only managed to dig 3 holes in half a day.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

I live on cobblestones. Theres no good option for me except a tractor.

[@alfredonski]

My soil the only thing that works is what this man is using or destroying your arms/shoulders with the bar.

[@8888886a]

I'm a little disappointed that the Burke bar didn't make an appearance in this video, but at least it featured a square concrete stake.

[@michaelbyrne8238]

I did a major landscaping project involving partially digging up a buried pool. So a jackhammer with a chisel for the wall. But also heavy clay soil around it. When I discovered the spade bit, that changed my life.

[@paulsnyder6917]

I’ve also found, when electricity is scarce at remote locations… using the same post hole digger that you employed only adding a t-post driving tool on top of the digger to add some extra impact for breaking up obstacles. I find that allows me to keep the hole narrower at depth than I can accomplish with my Dewalt Jackhammer and a spade bit. Thanks for all your efforts on the channel. Went and bought a 14oz Stiletto on your recommend and it’s extended my shoulder’s life considerably.

[@WaitingForTheNeonSky]

Thanks Scott and all involved. I appreciate your work

[@p3ntastar]

A mattock works best for shallow roots. For tree roots, save some sweat by using a cordless sawzall.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Use a "demo" blade in it. Works great for tree roots. A plain wood-cutting blade will quickly become dull.

[@mattstevenson1334]

Yepp, Sawzall and Rotary Hammer should be on hand for hole digs.

[@jameskniskern2261]

Ain't it amazing! All us sitting around here watching a man dig a hole. ;)

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

It's exactly like working for County Road & Bridge!

[@williammrdeza9445]

+1 on using an auger! Thanks for all the tips, Scott.

[@4sl648]

I needed to pull a split rail gate fence post that had the tip set in concrete 3.5 ft down. This was to allow a 10 ft shed to be delivered through an 8 ft gate. That post came out easy enough and left the concrete gob at the bottom with a perfect hole for the post. In the process of bringing the shed in they filled the post hole. I manually opened it again but the concrete pocket was full of dirt and gravel. I grabbed my shop vac and snaked the hose down in and vacuumed the hole clean and the post dropped right back in.

[@Johndoe-mn8lf]

I’ve used this technique(also a claw hammer) to dig footings in a crawspace, emphasis on the “crawl”

[@donniesutton2230]

I loved the mirth that you used in talking about losing the digging bar!

[@davidpatterson1574]

Greetings from Northern Ireland- Great video-the digging bar u are using, is a “Roughneck 17lb post hole digger brand--or similar to the Roughneck--I have one, for about 10 yrs now, and have used it many times to dig holes for large end/strainer posts, for long runs of sheep wire--it really is a game changer -best regards

[@peterbarlow8912]

My favorite BC comic has the fellas working hard on the road with a lookout at the crest. When someone came rolling by on the road they got the high sign and the passerby just saw them hanging around leaning on their shovels. The digging bar is the “thing” available at my local big box store. The bar can reach deeper than a hard to find demo hammer with spade bit if your digging in a pier. I’ve seen people curl up the points on a post hole digger trying to chop rocks. Make them watch this video before lending your post digger. Lend them the bar also!

[@JeffGriffith-k3x]

I like using a Spade to get the hole started then then use post hole diger to get the dirt out of the hole when it get deeper

[@valcom111t]

Love digging post holes in our lovely Willamette Valley clay 😂

[@vanedwards968]

When using posthole diggers past about 2 feet down, I would make the hole a little wider at the top. This lets you open the posthole diggers farther so you can get better bites. A Spud bar almost always accompanies me on any post hole dig. Great for breaking up compacted soil, roots and rocks; and for tamping around your post when you backfill.

[@idranktoomuch2]

Auger

[@Centercreek]

Spud bars are a must.

[@Yogibru]

I always used a sharp shooter shovel myself for roots or hard dirt.

[@cody0006]

That shovel bit Holy moly thats crazy ive been on crews that, that would have been a game changer

[@adrianjagmag]

I need to use a pickaxe and a heavy metal post hole digging bar...pretty big stones here. I break what I can, remove what I can't. And it's mainly granite.

[@man-qz8ki]

long live that fine chisel

[@cody0006]

Saw zaw rips up roots too if you cover the motors vents

[@steveyountz1757]

Having worked my way through college as a linesman's helper and electrician's helper, I would do one thing differently. We always kept the PH handles together until we had a lot of dirt loosened and then scooped it out. Planting utility poles, we always had to dig a borrow pit to fill in around the pole after we tamped it down. I probably helped set several hundred poles this way. The most common was a 'swing' pole between the transformer pole and the side of the house. I was young but it was still hard.🤔

[@Traderjoe]

I got the same digging bar in Harbor Freight

[@leoguzynski]

I'm a shopvac dude. I dig holes very close to the size of the post. Usually a little deeper means I don't need concrete. The undisturbed earth holds the post just fine. Depends a lot on the amount of moisture and composition of soil. Southeast redclay holds well. At coast I dig sometimes 8' holes for piling style deck posts. All with shopvac and 35lb digging bar.

[@BloodCat87]

I use an 8" manual twist auger because it's easier to turn than slam the other style. I also use a tile spade if I need to expand the hole in any direction. Generally tree roots can be tricky, a sharp shovel or a reciprocating saw works. Rocks and stones more uncommon but I've dealt with them as well.

[@HowlingOwls]

Dug all 11 holes for my deck with a hand auger. Four holes next to one another and a shovel to clean upp. Made all in 3 days work. The digging was only upset by cracking big rocks with splitting wedge and then clearing the hole😊. Since then my auger is my best friend.

[@justinriley8651]

i got a pry bar like that at menards . thanks for making this video it was useful.

[@kevinvremanconstruction5845]

Great technique and video. Thank you sir!

[@neby_nebs]

I'm a young assistant superintendent, and on a slow day I help with general labor. Everyone laughed at first when I pitched this idea - then we raced and I won. "Everything's a hammer" kinda logic is always worth it to me.

[@landmarkcreations1183]

Also if you see gas line yellow painted on the ground, don’t dig there! 🤣

[@kairos_01-d5d]

I prefer the screw in type manual post hole diggers. In clear ground they are nicer and make a nicer hole. Not the tractor powered ones or the lawn mower engine type.

[@gregorymacneil2836]

The demo hammers also offer extensions - they are not cheap but work well. I prefer a "Boston Post Hole Digger" because it allows you to keep the hole tighter - You should demonstrate frozen ground next.

[@johnwehunt4305]

That dirt is sure soft. North Texas here.

[@mikeflick4737]

I live in Oregon too, Sutherlin near Roseburg.

[@mikeflick4737]

I have 2 old post hole diggers that you turn and they auger down and you turn it down a ways and you bring it up and dump the dirt out and it is so much easier than the clam shell digger. One digs a 6" hole the other is adjustable to dig different size holes. As I said, they are really old. They are the only ones like them that I have seen. They are faster and easier to dig hole for post that I have used.

[@johncortell4431]

I have found that a cordless reciprocating saw with a pruning blade is the ultimate root eliminator 🙂

[@johncolquhoun6416]

In Scotland we use long nose shovels. Very affective.

[@Woodburner100]

I’ve got one of those pincher-type post diggers and they’re almost useless because of how much material falls out while lifting them out of the hole. I’ve always had the best success with a rotary type that fills as you turn it and if you keep adding a little water hole it holds most of the material as you withdraw it from the hole. Of course in gravelly soil or pure sand they wouldn’t be very efficient but in any soil that holds together even marginally, they’re far superior to the one you’re using. And of course you still need all the peripheral tools you had with you.

[@Josephhoward28]

Yup, I was hoping you’d get to breaker. Where I live it’s all clay, and I got a Bosch demo hammer used for $360 w/ the clay spade bit. A 4 hour job of digging turned into 20 mins tops.

[@wywarren]

Was doing some charity work a few weeks back using standard shovels to do this. Next time I’ll know what gadgets to bring

[@bunyipdan]

My tips ….. * sharp tools maintain a clean 45 degree bevel on digging tools (a bit of WD40 is also helpful) * battery powered SDS and reciprocating saws are very handy ….. extra long rotary hammer drill attachments can also help with those extreme rocky encounters (no worries about power getting power and very portable). I’m sure there are some ice fisherman with other hole drilling adaptors…. * the digging bar is called a mumme bar …… they work better if the blade has about a 15 degree knee angle half way ….. this helps pry the rubble loose when the hole gets deeper

[@MTknives]

I was with you until you pulled out that chisel and drove it into the ground!!! 😭If you don't care about that chisel send it to me! 🤣

[@darrinmilliken5913]

Without power tools or augers, the best method is shoveling the start of the whole as deep as possible. Then switch to bar and post hole digger. The larger diameter the hole, the deeper you can use the shovel, which is easier than the post hole digger. I seem to always be digging in rocky clay in upstate NY. Also, where I need several holes, I start digging them all at once and go from hole to hole with a single tool rather than constantly switching. For me, mentally it seems more efficient. 😂 If you're going to dig holes, dig ALL the holes. Keep the holes as sheer as possible and it allows more soil loosening leverage on the bar as you dig deeper.

[@bjwillis43]

After you chop downward with the post hole digger don't close the clam shells, instead turn the clam shells 90 degrees and drive it down again. After doing this three or four times you will have a lot of loose dirt that will come out of the hole easily. Another tip is to occasionally take a file to the edge of your post hole digger so it will cut through the smaller roots.

[@georgegibson707]

Diamond core drill needed here for post holes - Sandstone bedrock near the surface.

[@IamVince1aa]

I've been doing that for years,my rotary hammer was a spline and shovel was sds.....I got a adapter and now can dig even deeper

[@gnic76]

Where I am, it's rock and sand mostly, even the bobcat powered auger had trouble.

[@randelyoder9446]

When digging a trench push the spade in leaving one side of the spade exposed the dirt will stay on the spade you flip it out of the trench no crumbing required less time and less work

[@kennethnichols7263]

If digging a ditch my day used a gasoline tiller with the outside tines off. Kept me and my nephew busy shoving the loose dirt.

[@instantsiv]

Poor slick 😢 For roots I’d use a recip saw.

[@diverdave4056]

and its always best to allow your Post Hole Shovel to rust up badly and to never ever apply Linseed oil on the wooden handles and make sure to never ever sharpen the shovel or oil up the hinge ! it makes the job a lot harder to do ...

[@trentwalsh8168]

All we get here is big rocks and solid clay haha

[@hammerpounder]

The thought where I live is "if we find roots there must be dirt somewhere, I hope we find it because ot would sure be nicer digging." Even on auger on a skidsteer takes more than an hour per hole just to bust out all the hard packed rocks. So we all use mini excavators for digging.

[@Woodburner100]

Anyone who wants to become a good excavator operator or dozer operator needs to get good with hand tools first so they understand how to move material in the most efficient manner practical.

[@steveo7265]

I absolutely hate those standard post hole diggers. I know it's really expensive, but if you have to dig a lot of small diameter deep holes I really love a Gibbs Digger. They're not cheap, but so great for getting the deep material out.

[@orvillevoyles9451]

I've never seen a post hole like that in Arkansas we have rocks here

[@nadinepetersen6321]

Where do you get those blue jeans?

[@sawmillsam7156]

Next video is on how to dig post holes in an ancient river bed like I did last summer. The holes got huge after removing packed river rocks by the wheel barrow load.

[@PhotonFlightTeam]

OKay now....I stopped this at minute 5:34....saying "hey! LET'S SEE THAT PULASKI ALREADY! " heh heh! Darrell

[@dagwood1327]

Built a chicken run 75’ x 75’. Clay soil in June. I went to a rental store and he wanted to know what I was going to use it for. When I told him what I was using it for he wanted to know how far was my power. I told him I was running a 12/2 w ground on a separate circuit. I drilled a 1” hole 14” deep. Then drove my T posts. Easy post driving. Tight.

[@psidvicious]

Not all post hole diggers are created equal. They look generally the same but their digging efficiency is different. I can’t even really put my finger on exactly what to look for but I think it has something to do with the geometry. The good ones dig much better than the not-so-good ones.

[@mattstevenson1334]

If I had a huge chisel like that I'd already be using it for roots lol. (And whatever else)

[@Longtimerolling]

It looks like you're in NZ.

[@Fiercefighter2]

I prefer to dig the majority of my post holes with a regular shovel. I only switch to the clam shell near the very bottom when the shovel isnt grabbing much anymore.

[@jvonderhaar7879]

I was really hoping it was a treasure box. We are all just older kids.

[@Siskiyous6]

Six decades of post holes without a mark on the ground, guess I gotta go back and redo them all.

[@randymartin5521]

I was trying to cut a root while digging once and turned out it was the cable tv cable. Oops! Why they ran the cable all the way around to the back of the house and broke a foundation vent to run the cable into basement when they could've gone through the siding on the side of the house is beyond me. Could've saved a hundred feet of digging and cable! I didn't completely sever it, it was pretty tough, just skinned off the insulation but did expose some of the braided shield wire. Checked the tv to be sure I still had a signal, then just wrapped the area with several layers of duct tape and reburied it. Sold the house 6 or 7 years later and never had any trouble with the cable. Moral of the story, always have duct tape handy, even while digging holes. 😂

[@johndrennan5933]

I avoid this kind of work as much as possible because it is hard and there is no way around that. I was prepared to leave a snotty comment about whatever the "pro tips" were supposed to be. But then the guy breaks out the electric jackhammer right away and I am shamed into silence. I have an electric jackhammer. I only used it on one project but those holes weren't going to get dug without it.

[@darrencampbell9383]

What out electric about

[@Hoaxer51]

I have a posthole digger (from Lowes I believe) that is articulated in the middle and the handles open the same width no matter how deep you are digging. Don’t throw away your old posthole digger though because that articulated one is heavy, I still start with the standard one and switch off when it gets deeper. And your saying “A change is as good as a rest” doesn’t apply here! Lol

[@ItchyKneeSon]

There's a national hotline to call before you dig: 811. If you don't know what's under your digging area, the SAFE way to dig is with a power washer (0* tip) and a shop vac. It'll get around gas lines and roots so you can go back and identify what you're cutting and what you shouldn't (unless you're looking for some excitement in your life... lol).

[@jonnymountain8211]

That bar is called a spud bar, it’s at any big box store

[@krenwregget7667]

that Japanese chisel you just put in the dirt is likely worth over $500.

[@Randomviewer_44]

Just use a two stroke portable auger

[@milliosmiles5160]

A pressure washer will cut a hole fairly quickly but, it's messy.

[@michaelmalik4416]

Don't use a timber frame slick. Ouch!

[@greasyHands66]

It is funny that you don't use hoe for digging and moving earth. Here in Portugal, is one of the most used tools for everything. Check out the portuguese hoe.

[@phitsf5475]

i've got 3 post holes to dig but I don't have any tools specifically for posts. I'm tempted to just dig a much larger hole than I need, shape a basin for some postcrete, set it in and throw the dirt back in

[@toddavis8603]

I earned a PHD in 1982 when i was twenty-one." 24 holes 18" deep said my boss."POST HOLE DIGGER!❤😂😢

[@benchippy8039]

Where i live we seem to be floating of a couple meters of heavy clay, makes digging anything miserable

[@6atlantis]

I’ve broken up a lot of concrete with machines smaller than that. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jean-marcdumas-perrin5324]

👍⭐️⭐️⭐️👏

[@jocrpnter]

I bet that old post hole digger has dug more than a few holes.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

This video is just one hour old and your 'electric post hole digger' has already been declared illegal by several trade unions. You're not a *communist* are you? HAHA! We LOVE your channel, Scott.

[@_S0me__0ne]

Ruts are always a problem around trees. 😋

[@PAD058]

“Work smarter and not harder” as the saying goes...

[@aceofspade6139]

You need a metal post hole digger those wood handles on yours will pinch you fingers so bad

[@mediocreman2]

Call before you dig.

[@ronkruchten5867]

I once heard a stand-up comic, whose name I've since forgotten, share this happy memory from his childhood: "I once asked my father, "Dad, my our teacher told me that if I study really hard and get good grades, that when I grow up I can be anything I want to be! Is that true?" He replied "No it isn't, Son. Now finish digging that hole!" After I heard that, I've been much more content while digging every hole I've had to dig ever since.

[@fergusonlandmanagementweld1039]

First!