Digging holes to concrete fence posts

If the hole is smaller (narrower) than the tool (the spade) is wide, of course it takes a long time. :D (Sorry, couldn’t help it). Did you dig that out with a tablespoon? Spade, shovel, pickaxe, and rotary hammer with chisel for the “rock” and off you go. Make proper holes (diameter/depth), then you'll finish faster.

I made the hole "spade width". Admittedly, that might be too little to work properly. At some point, you can't make any more progress with the pickaxe either. I will definitely make it wider as well...... If it then gets a bit narrower towards the bottom, that shouldn't be a problem.

Rotary hammer with chisel for the "rock" and off you go.
Make proper holes (diameter/depth), then you'll be done faster.

Chisel with sharp "ß", not like Inge. "Who brakes a lot, drives in too high a gear" also applies here: what is not overdimensioned when excavating saves unnecessary effort when compacting later. The best hole is a fitting one, not a worn-out one.

If it then gets a bit narrower at the bottom, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Not a problem now, but wider at the base would be better.

I have now ordered an MWS garden auger. Hoping that it will at least make the work a little easier.

I have now ordered an MWS garden auger. Hoping that it will at least make the work a little easier.

Then feel free to share your experiences when the time comes...

Drilled 20 holes through gravel and clay last week with the Fiskar Quikdrill.

Thicker stones then have to be loosened with an iron rod and removed by hand. In soil without stones, you can make a 60cm deep hole with a 15cm diameter in 5 minutes. With a thick gravel layer, it can take 20 - 30 minutes per hole.

For a 60cm deep round hole with a 15cm diameter, a 30kg sack of screed concrete is sufficient; you can also enlarge the finished hole at will with the iron rod or drill further with a 20mm attachment for the Quikdrill.

I also wanted to buy the MWS at first because it looks very sturdy. Advantage of Fiskars: lighter and you can change the drill attachment; there are 10cm, 15cm, and 20cm sizes.