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Post by magrich on Sept 26, 2006 15:11:06 GMT
 or do others have 'helpful' tools that they have bought and just can't get along with? I have tried 2 different strimmers, but never seem able to cut more than about 3 feet before the line snaps and then it took me ages to try to re thread it. I end up going back to my faithful edging shears, but , because my shed is so damp thayare now very rusty. Can't find any one to sharpen them for me, so am now reduced to scissors and an old bread knife.
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 26, 2006 15:41:04 GMT
Have you tried spraying them with WD40, Magrich? I have the same problem and it's worked wonders on my rusty trusty shears. I'm really mean about tools and hardly ever buy brand new ones - I love market tool stalls, they are a wonderful source of rusty tools in need of TLC!
I have a big strimmer with a blade now - the string breaking on my old one drove me mad. It's lethal but very efficient.
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Post by Plocket on Sept 26, 2006 15:42:35 GMT
Dad passed his strimmer on to me and I can't even get the cord fixed onto it!!!!! And we bought a fancy pair of edging shears - you can turn the blade so either they can cut either horizontally or vertically. I don't get on with them and prefer my boring old long handled edgers.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 7:39:56 GMT
I bought a 'blow and vac ' thing for picking leaves up. Got it when they first came out, its orange but I forget the make.
First of all the bag gets so heavy if the leaves are damp that its not worth the effort of emptying it every couple of minutes.
Secondly, if the leaves are dry, the amount of dust that comes out of the bag with the air is amazing, and it all ends up on your back and in your hair...or covering the person who happens to be behind you holding up the weight of the bag.
No good at all, except maybe blowing the DRY leaves into a pile to pick up...but quicker to use a rake.
Wx
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Post by sweetleaf on Sept 29, 2006 7:54:15 GMT
I have had 4 strimmers and they always break, my latest one is a Mc cullock (sp) petrol model, v.powerful, but the whole spinning assembly flew off when strimming on the allotment, and I narrowly escaped injury, OH says hes fixed it but now Im afraid of it, the same thing with my old petrol mower, which picked up a twig, when my son was using it and as I happpened to walk past, it shot the now bullet shaped fragment out of the side of the machine which hit me in the side of the knee and I went down like a sack if sh*yte!.. the bruising put me on a stick for almost a month! God knows what I could do to myself if I`d bought a chain saw or scythe.........  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 8:05:41 GMT
I hate strimmers, necessary as they are at times.
OH once tried to cut a sapling down with a very powerful strimmer which I could hardly carry. The saw blade just bounced off the tree but luckily he didn't let go ...as I was not far away. Lethal, but great for laying very tall grass, like a scythe.
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Post by piggingardener on Sept 29, 2006 8:06:25 GMT
OMG Sweetleaf!!
There's obviously a lot to be said for hand tools.............
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Post by Plocket on Sept 29, 2006 8:20:46 GMT
I have had 4 strimmers and they always break, my latest one is a Mc cullock (sp) petrol model, v.powerful, but the whole spinning assembly flew off when strimming on the allotment, and I narrowly escaped injury, OH says hes fixed it but now Im afraid of it, the same thing with my old petrol mower, which picked up a twig, when my son was using it and as I happpened to walk past, it shot the now bullet shaped fragment out of the side of the machine which hit me in the side of the knee and I went down like a sack if sh*yte!.. the bruising put me on a stick for almost a month! God knows what I could do to myself if I`d bought a chain saw or scythe......... Jeez Sweetleaf! |
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Post by Dutchy on Sept 29, 2006 8:45:51 GMT
Sweetleaf ouch.
However hand tools can be lethal too.
We have one of those big heavy cleaving axes for the fire wood.
Luckily no one stood where the head landed. Some strong language was used then.
The only electric appliance I have is a hedge trimmer. Now there is a functional tool. Oh has a chainsaw. One of those motorized things that take ages of pulling the cord to start it up. But it slices through the logs in no time. He loves it. The neigbours who have to listen to it do not. Oh and the smoke it produces could be used by any old Indian to send signals with.
Dutchy
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Post by andy on Sept 29, 2006 9:46:52 GMT
The best hand tool i ever had was a diamond hoe which used to get into all the nooks and crannies. Unfortunately, it got nicked and i've not been able to find one since......might have to have a word with the local blacksmith !!!
Andy
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 11:44:36 GMT
I bought, a while ago, a long handled gadget with 3 spikes, which is designed to be pushed into the lawn around a dandelion, then twist and pull - out comes the dandelion with a circular plug of soil, which you then turn up side down and put back into the hole in the lawn.  Theory being that the dandelion would die - now how silly is that |
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Post by Dutchy on Sept 29, 2006 16:08:13 GMT
Do not try it on clay soil. Your dandelion will have a laughing fit when the three spikes go into a scroll. Just like those ergonomically sesible tools for opening up the soil. The only thing they do is open up your wallet/bank account.
Dutchy
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Post by JennyWrenn on Oct 9, 2006 6:22:00 GMT
Oooo 4PG I never thought of spraying my rusty - not that old either - shears with WD40 - I thought they were a pop group ;D I was thinking of replacing them and am sure they are only 2 years old And for strimmers - argh - had two now and all went to the tip - the noise and bother of setting them up isnt worth it I now crawl along my lawn border on hands and knees but then I only have now one small lawn Converted all the others into flower beds  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2006 6:55:26 GMT
Jenny & 4P
Instead of WD40 try using light bicycle oil or "3-in-1" oil that you can get from your local Halfords or DIY store. It last longer and I find that one application lasts for ages on my secateurs.
Cheers
FA x
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Theory being that the dandelion would die - now how silly is that 
