Changed my tune on the crowbar after a stubborn post job

Patricia Burns · 2026-03-04T14:05:19.46342+00:00

I always thought a solid steel digging bar was the only thing for setting posts in rocky ground. Had a job last week where the soil was just packed clay and small stones, and the bar kept bouncing off. Grabbed my old crowbar to try and wedge things loose, and it was a game changer. The flat end got under the rocks and the curve gave me way more pull. Figured out sometimes the simpler tool you already have is the right one.

xenajohnson6mo ago

Rocky ground is the worst for post setting. I've had times where my digging bar just skidded off a hidden stone. Your point about the crowbar's flat end getting under things makes total sense. It's funny how the right tool for the job isn't always the obvious one. Glad you found a way through that tough spot.

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patricia_chen676mo ago

It's a good lesson to learn the hard way.

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nancyj926mo ago

Nothing like a stubborn post hole to make you question your whole tool life. You spend all this money on a fancy digging bar, and then a basic crowbar saves the day. @xenajohnson is right about hidden stones, they're the worst party crashers. I had a similar thing last summer where my pry bar was useless until I grabbed a plain old wrecking bar from the truck. It was an ABSOLUTE game changer. Sometimes the fanciest tool just bounces off while the simple one gets the job done.

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