Should wooden fence posts be set in concrete?

At Hercules Fence, we hear the same questions over and over, perhaps none more than “Should my Fence Posts be set in Concrete?” The simple answer is yes. It doesn’t matter if it is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project or a professional installation, wood fence or vinyl fence, your fence posts should be set in concrete.

Is it worth it to buy an auger? An auger gets the job done quicker than a shovel while allowing the operator to stand upright. Because the auger is meant to be held stationary as the hole is bored, there is less stress placed on the hands and arms, as well. For health reasons alone, augers are a worthwhile investment.

What size auger is best? For gas or electric augers, choosing the largest you can afford is usually your best bet. Ten-inch is the most common size and will tackle every situation or species you may target. A 4 1/2 inch hand auger is perfect for chasing panfish during early ice.

What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger? Q: What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger? The difference between the two is in how they dig holes. You thrust a traditional post hole digger into the ground and remove the soil between the scoops. An auger “screws” into the ground and transports dirt along the blade up to the surface.

How do you make a homemade auger?

Will an auger go through tree roots? An auger resembles a large drill, but it is heavy, and it will throw you when it hits the root.

Should wooden fence posts be set in concrete? – Related Questions

How deep can an auger go?

An auger can drill holes as deep as 95 feet and as shallow as 3 feet. However, once the depth goes beyond 95 feet, you can add an extension rod to the auger.

What size auger do you need for 4×4 post?

Post Holes- If you plan to secure your posts with cement or by tamping dirt, you will need spacing around the post to do so. For example: A 4×4 post (actual size 3.5″x3. 5″) has a maximum width of just over 5″ (diagonally). Therefore, the 4×4 post will likely fit into a hole drilled by a 6″ diameter auger.

How do I choose an auger?

If you anticipate the need to bury stakes or set small posts, then you may prefer a 4-inch auger or another, larger size. Also keep the length in mind. Shorter augers will require you to be on your hands and knees as you dig, while 28 and 36 inch augers will let you dig holes while from a standing position.

What size hole should I drill for a 4×4 post?

A general rule of thumb is to dig the diameter of the hole at least 3-4 times the diameter of the post. For example, if setting 4 x 4 wood posts, dig holes 9-12″ in diameter. Posts should be centered in the hole and the posts should always have concrete under them.

What is the fastest 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 fence posts be?

As a general rule of thumb one-third of your post should be underground, the other two-thirds above. Let’s take a standard 6foot (72 inches) fence as an example. You will need a 9foot (108 Inches) post so that 3ft (35 inches) can be underground and 6ft can be above ground.

How do you dig holes quickly?

How do you drill a deep hole in the ground?

How do you bore a hole in dirt?

How do you sharpen a dirt auger?

What is the best tool to cut tree roots?

How do you get rid of large roots from the ground?

Rock salt or a glyphosate herbicide with an active ingredient concentration of at least 41 percent can dissolve tree roots. What Tool Removes Tree Roots? Depending on the size of the root, you can use gardening shears, a chainsaw, a hatchet, or a handsaw to cut away roots.

Can you use an auger on a stump?

The Auger Torque Stump Planer is the quick and easy additional attachment to any earth drill for the effective, easy and clean removal of tree stumps of any size and a must-have product for those working in ground preparation and woodland maintenance.

How long does an auger take to dig a hole?

Power augers can dig as many holes in an hour as a post hole digger can dig in eight hours, with hole sizes ranging from 6” diameter holes and up.

Will an auger go through rock?

Augers are very powerful machines with a lot of torque that can throw you like a sack of potatoes if the auger bit encounters a rock or a root. If your soil is loamy or sandy, you too can drill 30 holes in a day’s worth of rental. But rocky ground or heavy clay can stymie even the most powerful auger.

Can one person use an auger?

What is an auger used for? A small auger with a 2- to 3-inch diameter bit can be used to plant bulbs or install small poles. A one-man auger with a 6-inch auger bit can be used to dig holes for steel fence posts.

Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?

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).

How deep should a 12 foot post be in the ground?

The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.

How deep should an 8 foot post be in the ground?

How Deep Should a Fence Post Be? For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you’ll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone. For gateposts, you’ll need concrete too.

Do augers work in clay soil?

Augers are also great for soil that is tough to dig. Heavy clay soils, which tend to clump and stick to shovels, are no problem with an auger.

Which is the best use of a soil auger?

A soil auger is a tool for boring round holes into soil. It is often used in various home and commercial projects.

Can you use an auger to plant a tree?

Function. Power augers create planting holes quickly and consistently. The holes are suitable for either bareroot or container seedlings. The large, well-formed holes are made without compressing the soil (as happens with many other tools), contributing to seedling survival and growth.

How deep should a 6×6 post be in the ground?

How deep should a post be in the ground:– in general, a post 6×6 or 8×8 that extend 8 feet or more above ground level should be at least 3 feet deep buried in the ground. Posts that extend 6 feet above ground level should have holes at least 2 1/2 feet deep.

Is an 8 inch hole big enough for 4×4 fence post?

The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you’re planning on using a four-inch round or 4×4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that’s 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.

Do garden augers work?

Earth augers make it easy for gardeners to dig holes, but they also create conditions for healthier plant growth. Because the augers “pulverize” the soil, roots can quickly settle in. If soil is poor or compacted, it’s easy to improve it with a handful of compost or well-rotted manure.

Are augers hard to use?

How hard is it to use a one-man auger? Harder than you might think, especially if the soil is rocky or made of heavy clay. Ergonomic handlebars designed to reduce vibration and fatigue help.

What should I look for in an auger?

Auger Blades Two physical traits to look for in an auger are the width and length of the blades. These will determine the depth and width of the holes it creates, with a longer blade resulting in a deeper hole and a larger diameter creating a wider hole.

Which is the best use of a soil auger?

A soil auger is a tool for boring round holes into soil. It is often used in various home and commercial projects.