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Garden augers are an awesome tool to speed up garden work or other outdoor tasks. Unfortunately, these augers can be hard to find. Maybe you've seen a TV commercial or found a website that sells these awesome garden tools. How do you know which one to buy?
Consider the source
Does the company specialize in garden augers? For instance, if a company is also selling beauty products and BBQ grills, chances are they have limited auger experience. Will they be helpful if you have a problem? How current is the technology used to make the auger? Where was it made? A company that specializes only in augers is more likely to answer favorably to these questions than a company who doesn't.
Consider the claims
Sometimes you will see a TV commercial that promises an auger awesome enough to blast through rock and remove tree stumps and weeds the size of small trees. Consider how accurate the claims can be: do you think it's possible to buy a drill, and several auger attachments for $20 and expect powerful results? No garden auger can drill through rock.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when researching products before purchasing is the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is." Companies that promise products of high value for low money must be carefully researched.
Comparison Shop
Examine the construction of each auger. This will tell you a lot about its quality. An auger constructed with helicoid flight is more desirable than one constructed using a washer, or disc. Consider the examples below:
Auger w/ washer-type disc
Auger w/ helicoid flight (spiral)
An auger with helicoid flight will dig deeper holes and take less effort than one you must "pump" up and down to remove dirt. A flighted auger will also be steadier and easier to handle than the washer-type auger.
Pick Up the Phone
If you still have questions or concerns before you buy, call the company. A reputable company will be able to demonstrate considerable knowledge about the augers they sell and how to use them. Consider the company's responses to your questions; do they make you feel confident in your purchase? If not, maybe more research is in order.
Consider the source
Does the company specialize in garden augers? For instance, if a company is also selling beauty products and BBQ grills, chances are they have limited auger experience. Will they be helpful if you have a problem? How current is the technology used to make the auger? Where was it made? A company that specializes only in augers is more likely to answer favorably to these questions than a company who doesn't.
Consider the claims
Sometimes you will see a TV commercial that promises an auger awesome enough to blast through rock and remove tree stumps and weeds the size of small trees. Consider how accurate the claims can be: do you think it's possible to buy a drill, and several auger attachments for $20 and expect powerful results? No garden auger can drill through rock.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when researching products before purchasing is the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is." Companies that promise products of high value for low money must be carefully researched.
Comparison Shop
Examine the construction of each auger. This will tell you a lot about its quality. An auger constructed with helicoid flight is more desirable than one constructed using a washer, or disc. Consider the examples below:
Auger w/ washer-type disc
Auger w/ helicoid flight (spiral)
An auger with helicoid flight will dig deeper holes and take less effort than one you must "pump" up and down to remove dirt. A flighted auger will also be steadier and easier to handle than the washer-type auger.
Pick Up the Phone
If you still have questions or concerns before you buy, call the company. A reputable company will be able to demonstrate considerable knowledge about the augers they sell and how to use them. Consider the company's responses to your questions; do they make you feel confident in your purchase? If not, maybe more research is in order.
Guide created: 09/11/07 (updated 07/08/08)
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