A high-quality hand-held hole drill helps to significantly alleviate hard work on a suburban area. This device is an ideal assistant for obtaining a large number of even holes of different depths when erecting a fence, planting trees, installing trellises and other labor-intensive activities.
Characteristics of earth drills
A fairly powerful metal unit, necessary for digging holes for various purposes, is usually called an earth drill. The design of the tool consists of a rounded rod made of metal.
The device is equipped with blades at the end. It also has a handle, which is made in the form of a cross. The device is somewhat reminiscent of a self-tapping screw. Like this element, the drill enters the ground, cutting away a dense mass.
When the tool is inserted to its full depth, it leaves behind a hole with a circular cross-section and a smooth surface of the walls.
As the tool goes deeper into the soil, it is periodically removed from it to shake off the soil. And after that they continue the same actions.
What is a hole drill for?
There is a voluminous list of construction work or activities in the garden that require drilling a large number of holes in the ground. Drilling with a hole drill helps:
- When installing a columnar foundation.
- When planting a large number of shrubs or trees.
- In deep loosening of soil.
- In installing fences.
- In arranging trellises for climbing plants.
- When laying communications.
- In drilling wells.
Application of earth drills
Despite the fact that the unit is not widely used, the following field of activity cannot do without it:
- Creation of holes for foundation piles;
- Creating holes for planting;
- Installation of fence posts;
- When creating drainage holes in the soil;
- When taking deep soil for laboratory research.
Interesting! Based on the name of the unit, one can assume that it digs holes only in earthen soil. But this is not entirely true; such a drill is also used for working with clay and even ice. What winter fishing enthusiasts use successfully.
Hole sizes for different conditions
For different types of soil and operating conditions, there are certain standards for excavating holes:
- If there is a possibility of too low temperatures, which will last for several weeks, this means that the ground will freeze to a greater depth. For such conditions, it is recommended to make a recess of at least 1.5 m.
- If the structure consists of solid parts and has a high windage, then the hole should be made to the maximum depth that the drill allows. For mesh or lattice structures, you can dig a well 20-30 cm less than the maximum drill depth.
- If in the place where you plan to make a deepening the soil is too soft or the groundwater is too high, then you should dig a hole to the maximum accessible depth. For clay soil, you can make smaller holes.
You should carefully drill under fence posts or other structures, since if you dig a hole that is not large enough, the entire structure may tilt or collapse within a year.
Depth of the post hole Source toolbuild.ru
Types of earth drills
Manufacturers of these products offer customers three types of drills, which differ in the type of drive.
Manual unit
This is one of the most budget options among earth drills. The only thing you need when working with him is considerable physical strength. The quality of the dug hole will depend on this.
The tool also has such positive qualities as light weight and maneuverability when carrying. Using the device you can reach even the most inaccessible places.
- But at the same time, it is worth noting that the tool is only suitable for hardy people.
- Creating holes with this unit is quite hard work and requires a lot of time.
- Also, the tool will pause its activity if stones and tree roots get in its way.
In this case, it is pulled out and cleaned of soil or other materials by hand. And they fix the problem on their own, continuing to use the drill after that.
Mechanized unit
These drills are new among these tools. They are equipped with an internal combustion engine, so no great physical force is required. Here you just need to maintain the trajectory of the device.
Mechanized units can also be powered by electricity. Such devices are equipped with a two-stroke motor. For its operation, gasoline and oil are used, mixed in equal parts.
Advice! To extend the service life of the drill, use only fuel recommended by the device manufacturer. It is distinguished by such positive properties: high speed of operation, copes with tree roots, the presence of additional attachments for various functions and extension of the rod for deeper drilling.
Mounted unit
Another type of earth drill is a mounted unit. It is distinguished by its lower cost compared to a mechanized device. And it is something between a manual version and a motorized drill.
Operates from the power take-off shaft on various equipment. The unit is chosen primarily because of its high power, reasonable cost and good functionality, which allows you to quickly and easily make the required hole.
A mounted drill also has the following disadvantages: it only works from a tractor or walk-behind tractor, and is not suitable for hard-to-reach places.
Operating rules
When using equipment such as an electric drill, it is important to follow proper storage and safety guidelines during use. Following simple recommendations will extend the life of the tool, avoid premature failure, and also prevent injury.
- Metal parts of the device may be subject to the destructive effects of corrosion processes. Therefore, to protect the blades and rod from rust, they are coated with a special anti-corrosion coating or metal paint.
- To ensure easy drilling, the sharpness of the blade is periodically checked and sharpened if necessary.
- The cause of unexpected failure of the device may be working with an unsuitable blade for a given type of soil. Therefore, before drilling, the soil is first examined, and it would be better to slightly loosen the top layer.
- The electric drill lifts the earth up and can break if you work without interruption and shutdown to remove accumulated earth from the auger. Periodically stop drilling and remove excess soil. This will help avoid bending and breakage.
- Be careful not to get injured.
- After completion of work, it is important to clear away any adhering soil and check the condition of the equipment.
How to choose an earth drill
Experts recommend paying attention to the following recommendations before purchasing a unit:
- Decide how deep you need a drill to create. It is better to purchase a device with a length extension function. Such a unit can be used to create any hole depth within its diameter;
- Take a closer look at the diameter of the final hole. It is worth considering here that the smaller the diameter of the unit, the easier it is to work with. For household use, a drill with a diameter of 20 to 30 mm is quite suitable. In this case, you can use different tools to create a hole. For example, first make a hole with a light drill, and then continue working with a heavier unit;
- Blade type. It is not recommended to purchase a device with a curved blade. Working with it will bring a lot of inconvenience, from quickly filling the blades with earth to applying sufficient physical force to make a hole of the desired size;
- Weight. Two characteristics depend on this criterion. This is the ease of moving the device and its quality. From the last sign, i.e. What alloy the unit is made of depends on how long it will last. It is not recommended to purchase drills made of thin-walled steel;
- Lever. The ease of use of the device depends mainly on its handle. Especially when it comes to manual units. It is recommended to choose such a tool with a thick and smooth handle, which will allow you to evenly distribute the pressure of your hands without causing them pain;
Power. Here it is worth deciding for which area the unit is required. If it is needed for industrial work, then it is chosen depending on the engine power, and the higher this indicator, the better and faster the operation of the device.
For the home, it is not recommended to buy a powerful drill, which is equipped with flanks to lengthen the working part, which will only interfere with the creation of a shallow hole (up to 1 meter).
Percussion-rope drilling
Another way to dig a well on a private plot with your own hands. You will need tools: a tripod, a winch, a cable and the drill itself. The average height of the tripod should be 2.5 meters; a block with a cable is attached to its upper part. The winch is located near the supports. The working tool is a part of a pipe with thick walls and a welded seam.
A metal strip is welded horizontally to the upper part, on which a cable loop is made, where the base is suspended. The soil is removed thanks to a slot 75 percent of the length of the base. Sharpen the lower edge of the pipe and make a special petal or ball-type grip inside. The soil will remain in the grip, so its height from the bottom edge of the pipe should be about 6 cm.
Best models
Drill "Bison". The tool is made of steel.
- Ideal for gardening and light-duty fence construction.
- The device is quite easy to use, even on clay and rocky soils.
- The only drawback is the high cost.
Drill "Ros 77241"
This device is a budget option. Suitable for work in the country house and garden. The device does not require much effort, which does not give it an advantage in construction activities. Made from steel alloy.
The model is made with high quality, so it does not bend or creak during operation. The advantage of the device is that you can change the attachments. Disadvantage: maintenance is required to prevent metal corrosion.
Drill "Tornado Pro"
This tool is useful not only for country work, but also for small construction. Makes a hole up to 140 cm deep. Also made of steel. It does not require much physical strength, but has a robust design.
After finishing work, it is recommended to rinse and dry the device, which will increase its service life.
Useful tips
When trying to make a high-quality hole drill with your own hands, you need to be patient and follow the instructions exactly. With a responsible approach, in a short period of time you can create a good tool with which you can solve a lot of construction and household problems.
It is important to understand that in some models the cutting elements are made removable, and the holes themselves are made using garden drills. And for their further expansion, a folding knife with a special earth receiver is taken. This guarantees quick completion of the task with a significant reduction in labor costs.
