Digging Post Holes without Destroying Yourself.

[MineralMan]

Right now, I'm in the process of installing a chain link fence around my back yard. Lots of posts, so lots of post holes. I considered renting a power post hole auger, but decided to hand dig, instead, after watching a few videos that made it clear that the power method is no panacea.

So, I bought a traditional clamshell-type post hole digger. About $35. After working with it and getting stalled by a rock in the second hole, I did some more research. I spent another $35 for a digging bar. Weighing 17 lb, it has a chisel-shaped blade on one end, forged from the 1.5" diameter round steel bar, 6' long.

So, in my clay soil, which has a few small rocks in it, here's what I found to be the easiest method.

1. Start the hole with the clamshell digger. Just establish its diameter and dig down a couple of inches.
2. Use the digging bar to loosen the soil below the current level. It's heavy enough that you can really just drop it, or slam it down a little if a rock or something is in the way. Do this on all four quadrants of the circular hole, using the bar as a lever to loosen the dirt in the hole. Use the digging bar to go down about 6" deeper than the current level.
3. Use the clamshell post hole digger to remove the loosened dirt.
4. Repeat as necessary to the correct depth for the hole

This method is much less hard work and less jarring than using the clamshell digger alone. Allow about 10-15 minutes for each hole. The digger bar will break limestone rock, and can be used as a lever to loosen other types of rocks for removal with the clamshell digger.
Clam-shell post hole digger

Digging bar