The MaxBit FAQ

What is The MAXBIT?

It is a patented powered garden tool that attaches to a 3/8” household drill. When engaged and put into the ground, it digs the perfect FLAT BOTTOMED hole every time.

What does The MAXBIT do?

It makes digging holes fun, gardening easy, and working in the garden easier by digging the perfect hole for your 4” and 6” plants. The 1-gallon and 3-gallon additions are perfect for larger potted plants and easily attach to any auger (adaptors required for some models of power auger)

Have there been any recent improvements to The MAXBIT?

Yes! We’ve been following reviews on the web and we’ve heard you! New in 2020 we’ve re-designed the stem that holds The MAXBIT in the drill chuck for a better stronger fit. It now has flat sides so it grips better in the drill chuck and keeps drilling into tougher and harder soils. For those customers that have had to return their product because of this, we are very sorry and we hope you’ll try the NEW AND IMPROVED design for hard-dry soils! It’s really powerful.

How do I attach The MAXBIT to my drill?

Open the chuck of the drill all the way, insert the non-pointed end into the chuck, and tighten securely with the drill chuck key as you would with any drill bit. Slowly engage the drill to test speed and verify The MAXBIT is tight and does not wobble.

How do I safely use The MAXBIT for planting?

EYE PROTECTION: The most important thing you should do before drilling with The MAXBIT is ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. The drilling process can be very aggressive if you’re operating your drill at full speed when digging holes (especially with corded drills) and debris can be thrown upwards from the hole, especially in rocky and sandy soils.

PROPER ANSI Z87.1 certified safety glasses are highly recommended when operating THE MAXBIT.

AVOID USING The MAXBIT IN HEAVY ROOT & GRAVEL ZONES

USE A BATTERY-OPERATED DRILL: We recommend using a cordless drill when operating the bit to avoid electric shock and for greater operator comfort. Corded drills have a much higher torque in some cases and could cause wrist strain if there are hidden heavy root systems or large rocks where you are planting. Avoid these areas if possible or use The MAXBIT at your own risk in these areas.

LOVED ONES CLOSE BY: Take extra special care with spectators or gardening partners nearby protecting them from debris that can exit the hole when the drill is operating at high speed. Most drills are equipped with variable speed triggers so you can slowly and easily control the debris spray radius. In most cases, the drilling process is gentle and easy and places the tilled soil neatly around the hole BUT extra care should be used when drilling at full speed in soils with roots, gravel, sand, and rocks to protect your eyes and the eyes of others standing close to the drill site.

CORDED DRILLS: When using a corded drill (as with any device plugged into a power outlet) be sure you’re not standing or kneeling in or near water with the cord plugged in. Electric shock will occur if you set the corded drill in water.

How do I best use The MAXBIT for planting?

Once The MAXBIT is in the drill chuck securely, engage the drill before putting it into the soil to feel the variable power of your drill. Place your opposite hand on the top of the drill and lightly set the drill and bit onto the ground where you want to dig. Slowly apply pressure to the trigger on your drill to test the hardness of the soil. If the soil is very hard and dry you may need to tip the drill from side to side to work it into the ground until the desired depth is reached. We recommend not going deeper than the top of the blades. The depth of the blade is designed to dig the perfect depth for standard pot sizes.

How does The MAXBIT dig the hole?

The patented design and angle of the blades spins and pushes the dirt up and out of the hole leaving no dirt in the bottom of the hole and just enough dirt around the top of the hole to backfill around the plant. Simple and effective!

Does The MAXBIT dig in different types of soils?

Yes, it does dig all types of soils. Here’s a PRO TIP: it helps to wet the ground 1 hour before drilling in dry hard packed old garden soil, clay, or very compacted dirt. Be careful not to over-saturate the area and then operate electric devices near standing water. Allow the water to penetrate down into the soil before drilling. When drilling in rocky & sandy soils ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION as The MAXBIT steel is so strong it can chip stones hidden or buried under the dirt.

What type of drill do I use?

For best performance, we recommend a CORDLESS household drill that will accept a minimum 3/8” shaft and has at least 18-24 volts of power. ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION.

Does The MAXBIT come in different sizes?

Yes, currently there are two sizes that are named 4” and 6”. They are aptly named for the common (smaller) pot sizes in the plant industry and they are not named for the actual dimension of the bit itself which measures slightly smaller than 4” and 6” across. This is for a very good reason.….you see when you buy any drill bit on the market from wood drill bits to concrete drill bits, you aren’t actually buying a drill bit as you may think….you are actually buying the future hole you want to drill, nobody really wants a bit…they want a hole! Given the very nature of organic material like soil where The MAXBIT is used, there are variables in the density, mixture, compaction, and gradation of different gardens, making the hole site pliable and flexible, unlike wood or concrete….The MAXBIT 4” digs a hole approximately 4” in diameter from outside to outside once it stops spinning. The MAXBIT 6” digs a hole approximately 6” in diameter from outside to outside. SPECIAL TIP: Some shaping and carving of the sides of the holes can actually make a hole as big as you wish by carefully pressing and rotating the bit around the sides of the hole to widen it WHILE THE BIT IS SPINNING, sort of like the motion of mixing cake batter in a bowl with an electric mixer when you hug the edges of the bowl! The same motion applies to digging in the soil with The MAXBIT, just drill down to the desired depth and then once the hole is opened up, apply pressure to the walls of the hole as the bit is spinning making the hole wider and wider with each pass, If you do this you will then need to clear some loose dirt from the bottom as needed. CAREFUL: the bit will be spinning very fast and you’ll want to hold the drill with 2 hands while doing this to avoid kickback. ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION.

Is there an Extension so I don’t have to bend over?

Yes, The MAXBIT Extension attaches to either the 4” or 6” MAXBIT and allows you to prep the soil from a standing position. It comes equipped with a set screw and an Allen wrench to quickly and easily assemble the two parts. Use the Allen wrench to loosen the set screw BEFORE you insert the BIT, you can leave the set screw about halfway out. Insert The MAXBIT stem all the way in the socket end (the wider end of the extension with the set screw) until it’s fully inside the socket and past the set screw, then tighten the set screw against the stem to hold it in place.

SAFETY TIP: Test slowly before digging to ensure it is holding tight and will not wobble or come loose. The socket on the end of the extension is machined with care for a secure fit to The MAXBIT stem so you may have to use a hammer in some cases to lightly tap them together for assembly. In most cases it will insert easily by hand using a twisting and pushing motion, careful the tip is sharp when brand new!

My MAXBIT won’t easily fit into the socket at the end of my extension. What do I do?

In most cases, a twisting and pushing motion will allow the bit to be inserted and removed easily, but in some cases, a new tool will need to be worked in. The socket on the end of the extension is machined with care for a tight-secure fit with The MAXBIT stem and in some cases may require extra pressure to insert it. You may have to use a hammer to help with inserting the bit into the socket by tap, tap, tapping the two together. This may require the help of your gardening partner or friend to hold the bit while you tap the extension into place. We recommend the following steps: 1) Place a piece of wood on a firm hard surface like a garage floor or concrete patio.

2) Position the wood under the sharp tip of The MAXBIT 4” or 6” to protect the sharp end and hold it steady.

3) Carefully position the extension socket over The MAXBIT stem and grip them tightly together with one hand (gloves can be used so as not to pinch your palm).

4) Now, use a soft-faced hobby mallet or hammer to gently tap the top of the extension with your other hand to insert the bit into the extension socket.

5) Continue tapping until the stem is fully inserted past the set screw.

6) Tighten the set screw securing both parts together.

To remove THE MAXBIT or change to another size of bit from the extension you can do the following:

1) loosen the set screw with the Allen key.

2) Hold the extension tightly with one hand or by leaving it in the drill chuck.

3) firmly tap on top side of the drilling fins of The MAXBIT to loosen it and remove it from the extension. BE CAREFUL TO DO THIS OVER AN AREA WHERE THE BIT HAS A SOFT LANDING LIKE YOUR GRASS. TO AVOID INJURY, NEVER HOLD IT OVER YOUR FEET OR TOES IN CASE IT POPS OUT AND FALLS TO THE GROUND.

NOTE: Please make sure you loosen the set screw before attempting to remove the bit from the extension this way or by hand.

How do I clean The MAXBIT?

When finished, wash the dirt from the tool with your garden hose spray nozzle set to the jet stream, use soap if needed, wipe dry, and store in a dry place. The powder coating may wear away slightly after the first use depending on how abrasive your soil is so you’ll want to store it dry to prevent rusting. That said THE MAXBIT is made from tough American Steel and can handle a little rust so not to worry if you see a little rust. It is a garden tool after all :)

How is The MAXBIT made so strong, who invented it and where is it made?

The MAXBIT is finished in Canada from tough AMERICAN STEEL by our expert laser cutters & welders. All the print & packaging materials are from California USA.

The MAXBIT was created by Spiritual Super Mom, Author, Garden Enthusiast & Mentor, Michele Morgan of Jackson, Mississippi. Our MAXBIT is proudly packaged and shipped throughout the world with the help of Michele’s friends at Great North Hardscape in Ontario Canada.

The MAXBIT is 100% Made in USA and Canada.