wrote:
I need a string trimmer. That thing for cutting the lawn. Weed-
eater, or whatever you would call it. (A regular mower won't
work - the area is small, with slopes and sunken area, plus
narrow paths between veggie beds.)

A NON-negotiable point is that it must be electric.

A saw a low-priced 18-volt cordless rechargeable at the
supermarket recently. However, there wasn't even any clear
indication of the manufacturer's name (except, "Made In China.")
And that supermarket seems to be an outlet for some rather
dubious, "fell off the truck" items, plus a poor refund policy.

So I am interested in comments about reliable brands/models.
Including the question of corded or -less. I don't absolutely
need a rechargeable, but it would be nice. And, avoiding the
purchase of a heavy power lead would offset the price. OTOH, I
want something reliable. And I have heard of issues with drills,
etc, where a new battery cost more than a new whole unit.

String trimmer to mow lawn sounds like a bad idea. I trim some slope
areas but it is very uneven. I have all three type units. Battery is
convenient for little stuff and wife can use it but $50 for a
replacement battery means you throw away the unit and buy another.
With any brand, battery will be first thing to go. Maybe you should
look into getting a small, electric (cord) lawn mower.

Frank

On 7 Nov 2006 04:53:48 -0800, Frank wrote:
String trimmer to mow lawn sounds like a bad idea. I trim some slope
areas but it is very uneven.

Practice makes perfect. slopes are harder to do than flat, but if the
flat area is very large it highlights problems. For a small area I
would not hesitate. But I wouldn't do electric unless the entire
potential area is a postage stamp.

sdb
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In article ,
says...
On 7 Nov 2006 04:53:48 -0800, Frank wrote:
String trimmer to mow lawn sounds like a bad idea. I trim some slope
areas but it is very uneven.


Practice makes perfect. slopes are harder to do than flat, but if the
flat area is very large it highlights problems. For a small area I
would not hesitate. But I wouldn't do electric unless the entire
potential area is a postage stamp.


What is your objection to electric?

The reason I want electric is that I don't have any proper/safe
place to store petrol. Not even the small amount in those
trimmer tanks.


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In article ,
wrote:

What is your objection to electric?

Well, I can't speak for the other guy, but I tried the B&D
battery-driven trimmer and it just couldn't handle the challenge. It
was okay for ~ 18 square feet of moderately weeded area (partly in a
sloping flood control ditch), but then it lost power and needed a
charge. The string is pretty thin too, so fibrous stalks defeated it.

Also, the cutting swath was just not very big (only about 8 inches,
IIRC).

I wound up getting a 2-stroke Ryobi trimmer with attachments and an
extra spool. It wields an 18-inch swath-- what a difference. Even with
all that, it still has trouble handling some of the areas I trim. But
it is light years ahead of the electric. It may take two or three
refuelings per job, but the string is much thicker, I have a choice of
different types of string (and yes, they really do make a difference)
and it has a much greater reach as well. Not to mention the
fantastically greater rotating speed of the spool head.

About the only operational drawback for the Ryobi over the B&D (apart
from noise and the higher initial $ layout) is that cut weeds and grass
tend to wrap themselves around the string spool shaft, so it needs
frequent attention and regular cleaning.

IAC, the B&D is gathering dust in the basement. Even if we moved to a
place with a smaller yard, I doubt whether I would go back to the
electric except under duress.

Whichever way you go, wear eye protection. I got one of those flip-down
full face shields after eating a few too many grasshopper parts with
minced dandelion/milkweed garnish. And watch out for cables, wires,
hornet's nests or cord hidden in the overgrowth.

--
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combat for the poor

lid wrote:
In article ,
wrote:


What is your objection to electric?


Well, I can't speak for the other guy, but I tried the B&D
battery-driven trimmer and it just couldn't handle the challenge. It
was okay for ~ 18 square feet of moderately weeded area (partly in a
sloping flood control ditch), but then it lost power and needed a
charge. The string is pretty thin too, so fibrous stalks defeated it.

Also, the cutting swath was just not very big (only about 8 inches,
IIRC).

I wound up getting a 2-stroke Ryobi trimmer with attachments and an
extra spool. It wields an 18-inch swath-- what a difference. Even with
all that, it still has trouble handling some of the areas I trim. But
it is light years ahead of the electric. It may take two or three
refuelings per job, but the string is much thicker, I have a choice of
different types of string (and yes, they really do make a difference)
and it has a much greater reach as well. Not to mention the
fantastically greater rotating speed of the spool head.

About the only operational drawback for the Ryobi over the B&D (apart
from noise and the higher initial $ layout) is that cut weeds and grass
tend to wrap themselves around the string spool shaft, so it needs
frequent attention and regular cleaning.

IAC, the B&D is gathering dust in the basement. Even if we moved to a
place with a smaller yard, I doubt whether I would go back to the
electric except under duress.

Whichever way you go, wear eye protection. I got one of those flip-down
full face shields after eating a few too many grasshopper parts with
minced dandelion/milkweed garnish. And watch out for cables, wires,
hornet's nests or cord hidden in the overgrowth.


There are reasons the 'pros' use gas of course. My 18V batt unit works
well for me. But I have a small, reasonably well kept suburban lawn.
The Ryobi is nice also because there are alternate attachments for it as
well.
If you need the power of a Ryobi, either get one or , as was suggested,
hire someone to maintain the area for you.
Another suggestion would be to begin replacing the growth that is there
now with sedge, ajuga or someother groundcover.

Carl


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wrote in message
...
[snip]

The reason I want electric is that I don't have any proper/safe
place to store petrol. Not even the small amount in those
trimmer tanks.


Sears sells a wheeled string trimmer that is very maneuverable, can be used
for small area work, has been reliable for me for years, and you don't have
to carry it around (which also means that it's cutting height is very
constant). However, it's gas-driven . . .

In article . net, JimR wrote:

Sears sells a wheeled string trimmer that is very maneuverable, can be used
for small area work, has been reliable for me for years, and you don't have
to carry it around (which also means that it's cutting height is very
constant). However, it's gas-driven . . .

Speaking of Sears.. I bought my current string trimmer there -- it was a unit
that was returned and refurbished.. I got it for a fraction of the "new" price
(perhaps $100) and I've been using it for about 6 years now.. The string head is
starting to get pretty worn out and will need replacement soon, but I can get
those parts easily and since it's gas, it just keeps working.. Sure it's noisy,
but I've never had issues with its power or anything like that. It usually gets
used 1-2 times per month and hasn't let me down yet.

On Tue, 7 Nov 2006 18:29:26 -0800, wrote:
In article ,
says...
But I wouldn't do electric unless the entire
potential area is a postage stamp.


What is your objection to electric?

Personally, I hate dealing with recharging and the limited power
available from batteries. I also hate dealing with extension cords of
any length. I dislike the fumes from gas and exhaust, but not enough to
mitigate the electrical issues. Oh, and I currently use a gas
weed-eater string trimmer, and an electric weed-eater leaf blower (it
was a gift). I'm pretty comfortable with my preference, but I'm also
cheap enough that I haven't yet replaced the electric blower...

The reason I want electric is that I don't have any proper/safe
place to store petrol. Not even the small amount in those
trimmer tanks.

Which probably means your place is small enough that an extension cord
wouldn't be an issue. Or to relate it to my previous post, it sounds as
if you live on a postage stamp.

sdb

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In article ,
sylvan butler wrote:

I wouldn't do electric unless the entire potential area is a postage
stamp.

Especially not battery-driven electric.

--
Wefare for the rich
combat for the poor