The Complete Handbook of Post Hole Diggers

Jeffrey Williams: Finally a reference that treats post hole diggers as a real tool with real tradeoffs, not just a rental item you grab without thinking. Chapter 1 alone saved me from buying the wrong auger for clay soil—I didn't understand how bit design actually affects extraction, and that one detail changed my whole decision. Written by someone who clearly understands both the equipment and the work. Exactly what I needed.

Amanda Clark: This is solid reference material, but I'm deducting stars because the business chapter felt like it was written for someone starting a full rental operation, not for a contractor looking to add auger services to existing work. Also, some of the soil science explanations in Chapter 1 got a bit in the weeds when I just needed the practical takeaway. That said, the troubleshooting section is genuinely useful and saved me from a costly mistake on a stuck auger.

Timothy Thomas: Good technical depth, but the book assumes you're either renting or buying new. I've bought several used power augers and wished there was more specific guidance on what to look for, what damage is fixable, and what warning signs mean walk away. The handbook covers what you get once you own one, but less help on the actually hard part—finding the right used unit that won't become a money pit. Otherwise well-written and practical.

Barbara Lewis: As a property manager overseeing three sites with post and rail fences, I needed to understand whether to rent equipment or invest. This book gave me the framework I needed, and the maintenance chapter alone will save me money by catching problems before they become emergencies. No fluff, real answers. I've already recommended it to the two other managers in my network.

Stephanie Jones: The core material is good, but I felt like the book was aimed at people doing bigger jobs than I do. I run a small fence contracting business with maybe 20-30 installations a year, and a lot of the discussion about power augers and scaling felt less relevant to my actual work. The manual auger section was helpful, but it's maybe 15 percent of the book. Still worth reading, just wish it had clearer guidance on when small-scale contractors should just rent.

Brenda Roberts: Straightforward, practical, and well-organized. I used it to make a rental vs. purchase decision and didn't regret it. My only minor complaint is that the chapter on brands could have included more detail on rental company offerings and quality variation between chains, since that's what I actually use. But the technical chapters are solid and the FAQ section answered questions I didn't know I had until I read them.

Andrew Flores: Honest assessment: if you're just digging a few fence post holes for a backyard project, this book is overkill. But if you run a business that touches post holes in any way, it's worth the investment. I'm a landscaper and honestly didn't think I needed a whole handbook on augers, but the troubleshooting section and the real-world soil conditions chapter changed how I bid jobs. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is the bit wear section felt short—would've liked more guidance on replacement timing and cost management.