How to Dig Holes with Electric Auger

text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter!

Through a newsletter put out by our county library system, we were made aware of a new service offered at our main library. It's "The Library of Things!" There are pages and pages of things like outdoor tools, toys, electronics, and more that can be checkout, just a like a book, free of charge, for two weeks. 

One of those "things" was an electric auger. We wanted to try out the service and decided on the auger since we've never used one before.

​Read on as we dig some holes for the first time!

Tools:

• XtremepowerUS 1500-Watt 1.6 HP Electric Earth Post Hole Digger with 6 in. Digging Auger Drill Bit in Black (Home Depot)
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• XtremepowerUS 20 in. Post Hole Digger Earth Auger Bit Extension Set (3-Piece) (Home Depot)
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This is an advertisement we picked up for the service. You might want to check with your library system to see if they have a similar program.

One of the things we wondered about was the quality and condition of the things that are offered through the service. We were very pleased to see that the auger was securely packed in a carrying case and was very clean with no missing pieces. There is a charge for bringing the tool back late or dirty.

Carrying the auger down the stairs at the main library. There is a ramp and an elevator as well.

Steph dressed for the occasion with all the PPE as well as long pants and sleeves as the mosquitos were out in full force!

Tree roots, where she tried to dig, were a problem but she found that moving the auger up and down when in use helped to keep control of the machine when it hit a root.

The controls are on one handle and feature variable speed to aide in controlling the machine. Keep the cord behind you.

Obviously, the deeper the hole, the more difficult it is to move it up and down. It takes a fair amount of upper body strength to use this tool.

There was a purpose to trying to dig a hole and that was to install a Doggie Dooly, a waste disposal system. It required a 48-inch deep hole. Steph got a extension set as the auger depth is only 22 inches.

Here is the auger with the 12-inch extension piece installed. It proved really challenging at this point.

Even with the extension, the tree roots and swarming mosquitoes put an end to our hole digging!

There is a pin that holds the shaft to the top. Steph removed this and was able to easily hose down the auger without the danger of getting the motor wet. She cleaned it throughly before taking it back to the library.

All ready to start!

Steph's view. Steel-toe boots are a must!

What's verdict? 

We would not hesitate to book additional tools and "things" through the library. The auger worked well and was in great condition.

If you need an auger for setting a mailbox or fence posts, the auger would serve you well. We did not like the cord, but it was manageable. 

The only downside to checking out tools and other "things" through the library is the wait. When we booked the auger we had to wait two months to get it as the week in July was the first available borrow date. If you are patient, this system might work well for you!

Please note: This is not a sponsored post.
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FYI: We are not professionals, and we don't claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP.

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