Spent $150 on a 'groundhog' auger bit for rocky soil and it's already bent

The ad said it could handle anything, but I hit a chunk of granite about a foot down and the whole thing twisted. Now I'm back to using the manual digger for this job in the hills... anyone have a brand that actually holds up?

3 comments

3 Comments

ninaross28d ago

Wait, people actually run water on auger bits? I always thought that was just something people said to sound smart on forums. Guess I was wrong about that one, good to know.

angela_dixon2mo ago

My uncle in West Virginia swears by old school forged steel bits. He says anything with a fancy name like "groundhog" is just marketing. That granite will laugh at most hardware store tools. You might need a proper rock auger with a carbide tip, but those get real pricey. Honestly, for one stubborn hole, renting a demo hammer with a spade bit is sometimes the move. Saves your back and your wallet from more bent metal.

the_val2mo ago

Read a forum post from a mason who said granite needs a slow drill speed and constant water to keep the bit cool. Otherwise the heat just kills the carbide tip, even on good bits. That rental demo hammer idea is solid for a one time job. Your uncle's right about the marketing nonsense too. A lot of those names are just for the box.