Question about post hole digging - neighbor said hand tools are better than auger?

Last weekend I was setting posts for a new boundary fence in my backyard here in Columbus. My neighbor Bill, who has been putting up fences for 30 years, told me to put away my gas auger and use a clamshell digger instead. He said augers just spin the dirt around and don't get you a clean hole, especially in clay soil. I tried it his way and got 6 holes done in about 4 hours, but I was beat. The holes did look nice and straight though. Has anyone else had better luck with hand digging over an auger for clay ground?

2 comments

2 Comments

riley_price2h ago

Wait wait wait, 6 holes in 4 hours? Dude, that's brutal. I mean, I get that Bill probably knows his stuff with clay, but that's like a full days work for just a few holes. I've used both and honestly for clay the auger can just make a muddy mess that caves in on itself, but 4 hours by hand sounds like a nightmare. Maybe it's just me but I'd rather deal with a messy hole than be sore for a week.

lilycraig1h ago

Hold on, @riley_price, are you saying 6 holes in 4 hours is bad? For clay dirt with a hand digger, that's actually pretty solid. I've spent a full Saturday doing half that many in Ohio clay, and my back felt it for days. The neighbor might be onto something about the hole quality though, muddy auger holes never set right for me.