Need to buy a strimmer

gelato_cat

Hey all

What with all the torrential rain, my grass has shot up and I don't want to break my lawnmower trying to cut it!

So, I'm looking at strimmers to get most of the length of before I go in with the mower. I have some Nectar points so was thinking of going to Argos. I see they have some cheap ones, but will I regret it if I go too cheap? I've no idea really. I presume that if I go with a brand like Bosch I'll be OK?

Suze

bigdic

Bosch are a really good make yes, my B&D cheapo broke after only 9 months but managed to get my money back.

Bought a JCB 500w model from focus DIY (half price offer at the mo so came in at £25) and it is brilliant. It has a good quality feel to it and the power is amazing for £25. Wasn't expecting a lot at the price but I'm very very pleased and it came with a spare cassete.

gelato_cat

Thanks. I'm inclined to go to Argos as, with the Nectar points, the device will be almost, if not completely, free!

Argos also sell a cassette for £8.50 - but I am not sure if this fits all makes. How does the cassette thing work - do you pull a length of wire off it and install it to the strimmer or do you put the whole cassette in?

Suze

bigdic wrote: »

Bosch are a really good make yes, my B&D cheapo broke after only 9 months but managed to get my money back.

Bought a JCB 500w model from focus DIY (half price offer at the mo so came in at £25) and it is brilliant. It has a good quality feel to it and the power is amazing for £25. Wasn't expecting a lot at the price but I'm very very pleased and it came with a spare cassete.

bigdic

2 ways to do it from strimmers I've used in the past. The easy but slightly more expensive way is to by a replacement cassette (from a DIY shop) specific to your make and model (they're all different) and slot it in. The cheaper way but more time consuming is to buy the line (again usually quite specific to your make/model) and wind it round your existing cassette. Not something you'll need to worry about for a while if you don't use it much, strimmer line lasts for ages.

The instructions to any strimmer you buy will explain it for you. Good selection in Argos, I'd avoid Black & Decker. Just my opinion but I don't think they are the same quality they used to be, bought a few B&D tools and most of them broke very quickly.

Edit: Just read through my posts and I've come to the conclusion...... I really need to get a life.

Dave_Brooker

Suzey wrote: »

Hey all

What with all the torrential rain, my grass has shot up and I don't want to break my lawnmower trying to cut it!

So, I'm looking at strimmers to get most of the length of before I go in with the mower. I have some Nectar points so was thinking of going to Argos. I see they have some cheap ones, but will I regret it if I go too cheap? I've no idea really. I presume that if I go with a brand like Bosch I'll be OK?

Suze

Buy a petrol one (they're cheap now thankyou China), the electric ones are a bit weak in comparison, and you don't need to worry about miles of extension lead...

gelato_cat

Are they expensive?

Suze

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

Buy a petrol one (they're cheap now thankyou China), the electric ones are a bit weak in comparison, and you don't need to worry about miles of extension lead...

gelato_cat

Thanks for the info. I had borrowed my brother's landlady's one before, and the line got frayed REALLY quickly, I had to keep chopping bits off.

I'll probably go with the Bosch one, based on what you've said about B&D (who used to have a really good reputation - shame the quality's slipped)!

Suze

bigdic wrote: »

2 ways to do it from strimmers I've used in the past. The easy but slightly more expensive way is to by a replacement cassette (from a DIY shop) specific to your make and model (they're all different) and slot it in. The cheaper way but more time consuming is to buy the line (again usually quite specific to your make/model) and wind it round your existing cassette. Not something you'll need to worry about for a while if you don't use it much, strimmer line lasts for ages.

The instructions to any strimmer you buy will explain it for you. Good selection in Argos, I'd avoid Black & Decker. Just my opinion but I don't think they are the same quality they used to be, bought a few B&D tools and most of them broke very quickly.

Dave_Brooker

Suzey wrote: »

Are they expensive?

Suze

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9373205&fh_start_index=24&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b10064%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b10069%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9051012%7d%2fspecificationsProductType%3dTrimmers+%5cu0026+Cutters&fh_refview=lister&ts=1180690286798&isSearch=false

http://www.northerntooluk.com/products.asp?partno=150230E

Merkin

I got one like this because it comes with a stronger line as well as the ordinary spool, "HDL Heavy Duty Line spool is ideal for heavy duty cutting jobs".

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9219019&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=strimmer&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1180701470287&isSearch=true

£39.98

Fen1

I would def get a petrol one if I had the choice again. However, listened to OH and got an electric. GRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!
Petrol are much more efficient, no fiddly spools and line, and if you buy a quality one (and look after it!) it should last you out.