The difference in my post hole digger work after switching to a manual auger

I used to always rent a gas powered auger for any job with more than ten posts, thinking it saved time. Last month, I took on a small backyard fence in Springfield with only eight posts, so I decided to try my old manual auger to save the rental fee. The first two holes were tough, I won't lie, my arms felt it. But by the third hole, I got into a rhythm and the soil was pretty soft. The crazy thing was, I finished setting all eight posts in under three hours, which is about what the gas one would take with setup and hauling. The holes were cleaner, with less mess to clean up around the top, and I wasn't fighting a machine that wanted to jump around. It made me rethink when I really need the power tool. Has anyone else gone back to manual tools for smaller jobs and been surprised?

3 comments

3 Comments

joel_jones15d ago

Wait, you finished eight post holes in under three hours by hand? That's wild, I would have guessed it took all day.

the_wyatt15d ago

Totally get that. Had the same thing putting in a few fence posts last fall. The quiet was nice, no gas smell. Found it easier to keep the hole straight by hand, just leaning into it. Took about the same time once you add in the trip to the rental place.

vera_lewis215d ago

Exactly, @the_wyatt. That trip to get the tool is half the job people forget to count. You end up more careful by hand, so the work is just better. Sometimes the old way is just the right way.