Getting a cordless line trimmer

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neb

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#2964354 7-Sep-2022 16:56

Reanalyse:
How about this - especially if you can 3D print the weedeater blades 😄

https://www.tradetested.co.nz/p/gardening/outdoor-power-garden/line-trimmers-and-brush-cutters/cordless-power-garden-combo-set-18v-li-ion

Those plastic blades are rubbish, they disintegrate when they touch anything more serious then a few blades of grass. Definitely go with a line trimmer.

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neb

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#2964356 7-Sep-2022 17:02

RunningMan:
Balance is quite different on battery vs petrol. The battery weight moves the CG quite a bit.

That's one thing they got right in the OXC (Ozito) one, it's pretty well balanced so you just hang it off your shoulder and swing it around.

Of course then then totally bugger it up by using a stupid mechanical-throttle-emulation speed control that makes it more or less impossible to regulate the speed and that you have to grab in a claw-like grip to keep it running that really wears your arm out quickly. If it wasn't for that it'd be one of the nicest line trimmers I've used.

See also the other thread about the deal on dual 4Ah batteries which you can use to run this as a skin-only ($126 for the skin + the batteries and charger kit).

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2964383 7-Sep-2022 18:16

neb: Those plastic blades are rubbish, they disintegrate when they touch anything more serious then a few blades of grass. Definitely go with a line trimmer.

I have one of the Ozito units and I find the plastic blades work well. Ozito did have a bad batch and I believe they offered free replacements.

neb

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#2964384 7-Sep-2022 18:22

SirHumphreyAppleby:
neb: Those plastic blades are rubbish, they disintegrate when they touch anything more serious then a few blades of grass. Definitely go with a line trimmer.

I have one of the Ozito units and I find the plastic blades work well. Ozito did have a bad batch and I believe they offered free replacements.

Ah, OK. I only know it from Gymjunkky's hilarious profanity-filled review of it, he must have hit the bad batch.

Jase2985

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#2964385 7-Sep-2022 18:28

neb:

Of course then then totally bugger it up by using a stupid mechanical-throttle-emulation speed control that makes it more or less impossible to regulate the speed

what do you mean regulate speed? there are only 2 allowable speeds with line trimmers, off and full speed.

Scott3

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#2964421 7-Sep-2022 21:01

How much of your section are you going to be cutting with this? Just the odd trim where you can't get to with a lawnmower?

Why I ask, it both of the trimmers you linked to are going to be pretty weak, and run time on the kit battery is going to be pretty short.

General rule is that entry level versions of high power consumption tools suck in the battery version. Note that Makita sells 12 different battery line trimmers, and the one you have your eye on is the only crappiest of the whole lineup, and the only one with a brushed motor.

On paper, the Fatmax unit is a little better, with a 4Ah battery rather than a 3Ah, and a wider swept area. Like the Makita, this brused unit is at the bottom of the fatmax range (but in this case it is of only two - Higher end offering from Stanley Black and Decker are sold under the dewalt brand).

If you are going to be using it for more than a few minutes, I would suggest going for another option.

If battery, at minimum a brush-less unit. All the brands have them, but as examples:

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/stanley-fatmax-v20-cordless-line-trimmer-kit-18-volt-4ah/p/363936

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/ego-56-volt-brushless-line-trimmer-kit-33cm-cut-2-5ah-battery/p/289804

That ego would be a massive step up. That 56v pack in the kit likely has 14x 2.5Ah cells. Compared to the 10 cell packs in the other kits (1.5 & 2Ah for Makita and fatmax respectively). This means more power can be drawn from the battery, and more is stored. A cira 140Wh pack vs 54/72 Wh packs. A lot more power and run time. Also having the motor away from the tip is good for weight balance. And of course Brush less motors are more efficient.

Buying into your first battery tool eco-system is a big decision. Obviously nice to limit the number of battery eco-system you are running, as the batteries are expensive, and it is nice to swap them around between tools. Consider your plans for the next couple of years when it comes to battery power tools (drills etc.) and battery outdoor power tools (hedge trimmer, lawn mower, blower?). One you enter one eco-system, the cost to change is quite high, so you are kind stuck their. Note that the e-go outdoor power equipment ecosystem is so good, people are able to justify running it along side a 12v or 18v system for their drills etc.

Is going corded an option? will thrash the cheaper battery units for power, and of course no run time issues.

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/black-decker-900-watt-electric-line-trimmer-33cm-cut/p/289802?gclid=Cj0KCQjwguGYBhDRARIsAHgRm48tLaYQf_JjeJFHt-_ywQlo3du4mmiJYsfN8tQKdGF_Dos1PIlXriEaAm-XEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

(don't buy the 500W ryobi. I have it. The weight balance sucks, it has no bump feed, and it is really low powered compared to the ancient 700W unit it replaced, but it refuses to die.)

richms:

One is orange, one is yellow. Both are consumer brands and there is just a plastic stub or 2 on the batteries stopping them being interchangable. They sell models in some places as fatmax that are the same as black and decker in other markets. Entry level stuff

Stanley Fat-max is sold in the USA as Craftsman (with red bodies). Has a pretty decent reputation (as a consumer grade product).

So sits between Black & Decker & Dewalt on the Stanley Black and Decker quality scale. I have a bunch of dewalt tool's, and many Fatmax offings seem to be near identical with lower prices (i.e. the workshop blower, $160 for the dewalt one, $99 for the Stanly fatmax).

Kookoo

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#2964426 7-Sep-2022 21:30

Scott3:
How much of your section are you going to be cutting with this? Just the odd trim where you can't get to with a lawnmower?

With my petrol McCulloch TRIMMAC it takes me about 10 minutes to finish up where I can't get with a lawnmower, so I assume a battery one will take about 15-20 minutes instead.

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insane

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#2964440 7-Sep-2022 22:40

Jase2985:
neb:

Of course then then totally bugger it up by using a stupid mechanical-throttle-emulation speed control that makes it more or less impossible to regulate the speed

what do you mean regulate speed? there are only 2 allowable speeds with line trimmers, off and full speed.

Ah you must be my neighbour I hear really going at it in high-speed mode for minutes at a time. Other half must have just got accustomed to it.

I've mentioned before on here that I have the split shaft DeWalt 18v model, that has great speed control for delicate edging. It's a total beast with automatic torque adjustment based on the drag on the rotor, but I personally find the balance awkward as the pivot point is right in the middle of the hinge halfway up the pole, even with a 5ah battery attached.

I also don't know whether it's the speed of the motor or some minor imbalance, but I've also found my hands tent to shake uncontrollably for a short while after prolonged use. I don't get this with my petrol line trimmer.

I have no issues with the build quality, just wouldn't get the split shaft model so that the handle can be adjusted perfectly for optimal balance.

mattwnz

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#2964451 8-Sep-2022 02:14

I have found line trimers to be a PITA as the nylon often breaks or gets caught up in reel inside the head . I have used one with little plastic cutting heads that fly out, and this head was fitted to a Stihl unit. Similar to this one. https://www.stihlusa.com/guides-projects/a/trimmer-heads-blades-replacement/ You just replace the plastic blades when they wear out.

kotuku4

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#2964762 8-Sep-2022 19:09

My experience is with various commercial grade trimmers, two stroke Jonsered, Poulan Pro and Husqvarna and four stroke Honda.
I still have Honda multi tool with 4mm twisted square line (Husqvarna). And Ryobi Brushless straight shaft 18v (AEG) with 2mm Suffix Duo Core nylon line from Mitre 10.
The brushless model has two speed switch, is very light, well balanced, enough power and cuts cleanly. I don't do alot of trimming and seldom have to change line. I rewind the spool rather than buying preloaded spools. And use 5ah Batteries, original and knock off from AliExpress.
I will continue to swap to more cordless tools, generally paying a little more for brushless tools. The cheapest of the range are usually to be avoided.

mattwnz

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#2964765 8-Sep-2022 19:18

neb:Those plastic blades are rubbish, they disintegrate when they touch anything more serious then a few blades of grass. Definitely go with a line trimmer.

I am guessing you get what you pay for, as the commercial grade top quality brands like Stihl work fine.

johno1234

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#2964781 8-Sep-2022 20:28

Not in the OP price range but have been very pleased with my EGO Powerload line trimmer. I only have 7.5Ah batteries which make it a little tail heavy but the thing is so powerful and the Powerload feature does make reloading a doddle. One battery is enough to mow the lawn the slot into the trimmer to get round the edges and "mow" the steep bits the mower can't get to.

MikeAqua

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#2964964 9-Sep-2022 10:07

If you have a lot of area to trim, then I advise against an 18v system. They simply don't have the power.

Something in 40 or 50 volt range would be more suitable.

I have an ego trimmer (56v). I've used it on a large area of long grass (an oft neglected pocket reserve behind our house) and it made very short work of it.

Mike

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