To install a new 24-foot fence in front of a garden shed, Roger and Steve use manual and power tools to dig post-holes. The fence requires four holes to be dug, eight feet on-center. The finished fence is 4 feet high, so each post must be sunk 2 feet into the ground.
- Steve first tries a traditional clam-shell type post-hole digger (figure A ). With this tool, the two blades are driven into the ground, the handles are operated to hold the soil between the blades, and the soil is removed from the hole bit-by bit.
- It's important to use the proper technique when using this type of digger. When driving the blades into the soil, do not hold the handles individually, with one in each hand (figure B). This improper "knuckle-buster" grip can hurt your hands as you dig.
- Instead, hold both handles together as shown in (figure C) to drive the blades into the ground with a solid stroke. Then pull the handles apart to grasp the soil and remove it from the hole.
- Another essential tool for digging holes, especially in areas with rocky soil, is the digging crow-bar (figure D). This sharp-tipped implement is useful for breaking up rocks, and for loosening and breaking up hard soil, making it easier to remove with the post-hole digger.
- One of the most useful tools for this job is a specialized digger known as a Boston digger (figure E).
- This hand-tool is the choice of professionals. It has a single handle and blade that can adjust from straight to a right angle (figure F).
- In that way, the blade can be kept straight, or angled slightly, when penetrating the dirt (figure G), then brought to a right angle to remove the dirt.
- The angle of the blade is adjusted while digging by operating the supplementary handle (figure H). This tool is easier to use than the ordinary clam-shell style digger, and makes it easier to dig a deeper hole. The hole can be cleared of loose dirt much more quickly. This style of digger costs around $90, but makes the job go more quickly.
- Finally, if you're digging a number of large holes, and time is a factor, consider renting a power auger (figure I). These can be rented for about $80 per day. A gas-powered corkscrew auger makes it easy to dig a large hole in a minute or so. Be sure to read and follow all safety precautions that are provided when you rent this piece of equipment.
- Once your holes are dug, install the post. Use a level to check and make sure that it is plumb (figure J) as you fill in around the posts.
- For this project, no concrete was used to support the posts. Concrete can trap water around wooden posts and eventually cause premature rotting. Instead, soil and rocks were installed into the hole (figure K) and packed down tightly. With holes of this depth, hard packed dirt and gravel will offer ample support and good drainage around the posts.
RESOURCES :
HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores
by Steve Ettlinger
(revised edition 1998, Macmillan)
To order this book from Amazon.com, click here.
Ask This Old House web site
Ask This Old House web site
Website: www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/asktoh/
Ask This Old House online episode guide
Ask This Old House online episode guide
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