What is Reddit's opinion of Draper 1050 x 150mm Fence Post Auger - 24414?

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You can just buy one

Draper 1050 x 150mm Fence Post Auger - 24414 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D847FYY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EjBBDbRKJ0FJ0

>The situation: >I live in a block of flats with a gated (fob or code), exterior, ground-level parking area. I can see my parking spot from my window and it's well lit and overlooked. I have enough space for my bike and car and a patch of open ground at the end of my parking spot where a barrier hedge grows. >My flat and the spot on the deed is mortgaged but the common areas are obviously under lease (I pay a peppercorn rent each year, then yearly maintenance). I've mentioned to my carpark neighbours on either side I'm getting a bike and they're happy with using the spot for my bike and car. There are also other places I can put my car if needs be but my preference is for my bike to be behind the security gate. There are no pre-existing permanent fixtures within reach of my parking spot to secure my bike to. I already have an alarmed disc lock, and a Pragmasis Roundlock as phase 1 and 2 of my security setup. > >What I'm aiming for: >I would like to install a ground anchor to secure my bike - however, I'm conscious of the fact it's a common area and eventually I will sell up and want to leave the spot as I found it. So bolting into the tarmac is not ideal. So, I'm looking for a ground anchor that's discreet, secure and ultimately removable when the time comes. I've had two ideas. > >Option 1 - Screw-Type Anchor >The more removable option, an screw-type anchor I can screw into the open ground at the end of my spot (like this: BigBen Hurricane Anchor). The advantage I see with this is that it's easier to install and remove - however, I expect the loop won't exactly be bolt-cropper proof. I'm fairly confident that a thief would not be able to simply twist the anchor out of the ground with the chain attached as the torsion on the chain would prevent you getting more than a few turns before you couldn't twist any further (provided the anchor is long enough and doesn't pop out after 2-3 turns). > >Option 2 - Bucket of Concrete >The slightly less graceful option - get a 15-20L bucket, dig a hole in the open ground, line with bucket, fill with the heaviest hardcore I can find, sink anchor in with postcrete (likely this: Oxford Terraforce Anchor), cover over with loose soil so it's not obvious what's holding down the anchor. >Hopefully in this situation a thief will either A) not notice it's in a removable bucket, and/or, B) is unlikely to want to/be able to lift out a bucket of concrete in the space available. When it comes time to sell up, it'll likely be a big job, but I'd lift the bucket and back-fill the soil. All I can hope for really is the deterrent effect trumps a thief wanting to spend 10-15 minutes digging out a very heavy bucket as the weakest point of the chain setup. > >​ > >Personally, I'm edging toward the bucket of concrete method as the more secure of the two. Can anyone see any flaws in these plans? Any suggestions?

The hurricane anchor is brilliant, but the attachment loop looks like 6-8mm mild steel. That's so easy to cut, it's not going to be any deterrent. I like Big Red's idea of burying it with a few links of hardened chain emerging at the surface. You could attach the chain with a cheap, tough Maillon Rapide and pour a concrete cap over it to prevent tampering.

Personally I still prefer a concrete anchor. I think you could install neatly enough to avoid damaging the value of the property, but tarmac is a bastard because underneath it's just compacted ballast. Let me offer two ideas for your creative juices:

Keyhole Surgery - Use a post auger to drill a tidy 6" hole, at least 500mm deep. When the auger is fully below the tarmac, angle it to cut out an inverted funnel shape. At least one builder's bucket of cavity, preferably two. Fill with concrete (proper high-strength, not flimsy postcrete). At the surface you've just got a tidy 6" circle, which you can paint with bitumen for aesthetics. The weakness of this method is the tip of the funnel. Your anchor would have to be embedded deeper, in the main block, to avoid snapping by sledgehammer. You could hang 2ft of good chain into the hole leaving one or two links on the surface, or get a few scraps of rebar or angle-iron welded onto your Oxford anchor to extend it.

Make-It-A-Feature - Cut a neat 410x410mm square, ideally on the centre line of your space. Dig down at least 600mm, fill with concrete and embed the Oxford anchor. Finish the concrete an inch or so below the tarmac, and throw some gravel in to level it out. If and when you want to sell the property, remove the gravel, cut the anchor flush, and drop a 400x400 ornamental paving stone into the hole. Or fill with cold-lay tarmac.

If you can't get a San Angelo bar, an old axe that you don't mind breaking/dulling is a damn good stand in for breaking/cutting soil.

Rebar pins and mason line are also a good idea. I like to do all my layout and step back to look before I start digging, helps keep your trench straight and minimize screw ups.

Side note, regarding layout using mason line, look up and learn to tie a taut line hitch (ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taut-line_hitch ) and a clove hitch (ref: https://www.animatedknots.com/clove-hitch-knot-rope-end ) makes the layout process a breeze.

Beyond that I'd say getting a hand auger would be damn handy.

Ref:https://www.amazon.com/Draper-1050-150mm-Fence-Auger/dp/B00D847FYY

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I've got an electric post hole digger and it is THE BEST, if you're going to be having to do a lot of trenching to contain your bamboo, you might want to consider renting such or a gas version and using it to set the points for trenching. Sunbelt and most other rental places should have such available.

Save your back the grief if you can man, I've done the sort of thing you're aiming at and it will eat your time/energy quick,