Leaf blower vs. workshop blower?

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neb

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#302700 12-Dec-2022 20:48

After seeing way too many videos of people nonchalantly blowing away debris that takes me ages to deal with with a brush or broom I've decided to get either a PXC leaf blower or workshop blower. Problem is it's hard to decide which, the two main tasks will be blowing sawdust out of and off workshop machinery and blowing leaves and debris off paths outdoors. The leaf blower looks ridiculously overpowered for the former, but I'm not sure if the workshop blower is powerful enough for the latter. Does anyone have any thoughts on it, or experience with either?

insane

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#3009260 12-Dec-2022 21:01

The longer nozzle looks like it would have a more focused beam of air and be easier on your back for leaves. I've found that setting my blower close to the ground gives the best results, so I'd discount the stubby one on that alone.

For reference I have this https://www.bunnings.co.nz/dewalt-18v-xr-1x3-0ah-cordless-blower-kit_p0234878 and it's got both the velocity and flow rate to make leaf blowing very easy and effective.

johno1234

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#3009264 12-Dec-2022 21:15

I have the Ozito blower/vac https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ozito-pxc-36v-2-x-18v-brushless-blower-vac-and-mulcher-skin-only_p3381093

It is really powerful - it runs through the two 4Ah batteries in about the time it takes me to get around the property and suck up the leaves. For leaves I vacuum/mulch them up into the bag and dump under the trees. For other general outdoor stuff I switch it to blow. In the garage it does a good job of sucking up wood shavings etc but the narrow nozzle means it takes a lot longer than it would with a shop vac. Not sure I would use a garage blower as well. Rather spend the money on a wet/dry shop vac so I can also use it as a dust extractor on the tools.

Kraven

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#3009265 12-Dec-2022 21:15

I have the leaf blower and it works fine for what I need. I only use it for clearing off paved areas. It's not so good at moving stuff that is laying on grass, it will do it but it takes a lot of effort.

Something with variable speed would be useful for the workshop stuff, but I run mine full noise all the time, so I can't recall if the trigger is variable speed!

Probably the only thing going for the workshop blower is the shorter nozzle, otherwise in comparison it looks tiny and I doubt it would be useful outdoors.

mentalinc

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#3009266 12-Dec-2022 21:16

The workshop blower you linked is skin only (which means no battery pack, charger unit etc), so unless you have the batteries for that brand already, you're not really comparing the same things.

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mdf

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#3009268 12-Dec-2022 21:27

I've got a workshop blower (AEG brand). I am using it *constantly* - suspect it might be the most used tool in the garage. Occassionally used for leaves/outdoor debris, but mostly sawdust etc. Highly recommended. Small and compact is good, since really easy to just grab and use without setup and mucking about.

I had a leaf vacuum/blower. Vacuum was a waste of time, since the plastic turbine was essentially the leaf mulcher too. If you sucked up a stone or grit then the turbine was toast. Slightly more useful in blower mode, though still not great - though as a vacuum combo, had a wider throat than the one you linked to. Overall it was garbage [AvE voice] and haven't replaced it since it broke.

neb

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#3009269 12-Dec-2022 21:29

mentalinc:
The workshop blower you linked is skin only (which means no battery pack, charger unit etc), so unless you have the batteries for that brand already, you're not really comparing the same things.

Skin only is fine, I have a pile of other PXC gear thus going with the same brand.

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neb

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#3009273 12-Dec-2022 21:35

mdf:
I've got a workshop blower (AEG brand). I am using it *constantly* - suspect it might be the most used tool in the garage. Occassionally used for leaves/outdoor debris, but mostly sawdust etc. Highly recommended. Small and compact is good, since really easy to just grab and use without setup and mucking about.

Yeah, good point. Having read the various comments I'm now leaning more towards optimising for workshop blower functionality rather than leaf blower, and thinking about it a bit the leaves are often soggy enough that I'd need a rake anyway so I'll probably need a light-duty compact blower more often than a large heavy-duty one.

Just the thought of no longer having to scrub drifts of sawdust out of assorted nooks and crannies, ahhh...

mdf

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#3009275 12-Dec-2022 21:40

neb: ... Just the thought of no longer having to scrub drifts of sawdust out of assorted nooks and crannies, ahhh...

Yeah, I do this too. You just have to make sure the neighbours aren't watching first.

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#3009675 13-Dec-2022 23:23

I know this isn't what you asked, but I use the lawnmower to deal to my leaf problem. I know my situation won't be the same for everyone. I pick up the leaves off the lawn when I mow and where there's leaves on the pathways I just run the mower over these areas as well. They end up in the catcher with the grass already mulched.

Does as good a job as a leaf blower/vacuum in probably less time.

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neb

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#3013896 25-Dec-2022 16:49

Got the workshop blower and it's been fantastic, and also deals with enough leaf litter in difficult areas (i.e. that I can't get into with the rake) that it's fine for that a well, the blower clears 99% of it and I can scrape out the remnants that it won't move. Wish I'd got one of these ages ago, it would have saved me endless picking at things with brushes and hand-clearing areas.

johno1234

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#3013910 25-Dec-2022 17:56

I am leery of blowers. I blow all that stuff away but the wind blows it back! Prefer the leaf vacuum that mulches it up and I dump it in the farthest corner of the property under a tree.

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larknz

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#3013928 25-Dec-2022 20:40

I don't understand why you would use a blower in a workshop. You are just moving the sawdust around and still need to pick it up. I use a shop vacuum with a cyclone dust collector to clean up all of my machines.

MikeAqua

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#3018870 9-Jan-2023 09:08

I have the Makita 40v blower. It's fantastic for workshop use: General dusting; cleaning stick-vac filters; blowing chips out of a mortice, hole or groove and keeping the area in front of a power tools blade free of dust, so you can see your line as you cut. It's like having small compressor without the hoses and noise.

You can also get a bunch of attachments for various tasks. I realise that you aren't looking at Makita. I'd look for something with similar features for a workshop blower. That means, compact form (hold in one hand), variety of nozzle lengths and widths available, lots of air flow

Mike

richrdh18

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#3018871 9-Jan-2023 09:13

I use a Ryobi leaf blower. It is the handiest thing that I've bought lately. Use it for blowing bark back into the garden, leafs and debry off the deck and drive way. More recently for moving dust and leaves out of my garage. Very handy tool.