String trimmers what to buy?

[Fester]

The Echo 210 started the first time, pumped the ball 5 times and pulled once with the choke on, and it started up, I was impressed, the idling seams it bit erratic, I will run more next week, but if it gives any trouble it goes back, or ill send it to be fixed, at least its five year warranty.

If it starts up like this every time then that alone is worth the extra money to me. the ryobi blower had me gasping for air from so many pulls, and its new.

 

[ksJoe]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: ksJoe
When it dies, I'll just go buy another cheap on with a split shaft.

ouch. w*l m*rt syndrome strikes again.


I'd disagree with that. I prefer to look at it as well thought out purchasing.

We very rarely make a major purchase based on a specific $ budget. We consider the entire price range, and buy what provides the best quality per dollar for our use. I have no problem spending top dollar when it is worth it for my intended use.

For example - last week I bought a new battery for my jetksi. The first place I looked had standard lead-acid ones for 60 or AGM for 70. For 16% more, I intended to get an AGM battery. The second place I looked sold the (same) lead acid for 40 and AGM for 60. With a 50% difference, I bought a lead acid battery. My current car is a honda (247k miles on it); my next one will probably be acura/lexus. My surround sound system is Yamaha & Bose.

Here's how I approach the weedeater selection. I spent $60 on it about 6 years ago. Compared to a $200 dollar one, I saved 140. For purchasing and investment decisions I assume my money is worth 10% per year.

140 * (1.10 ^4 - 1) = $64.97

Basically, if a $200 weedeater lasts forever and a $60 gets thrown away every 4 years, then they are about equal (financially) since the interest on the 140 saved will buy a new weedeater every 4 years.

But a $200 trimmer won't last forever, and my $60 is at about 6 years, so... so far, I'm way ahead with the 60 one.

My point is just that there circumstances where the cheaper ones are truly the best deal.

For a pro who uses it daily the good weedeaters quickly pay for themselves. I simply don't use a weedeater enough to make use of higher quality.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: ksJoe
Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: ksJoe
When it dies, I'll just go buy another cheap on with a split shaft.

ouch. w*l m*rt syndrome strikes again.


I'd disagree with that. I prefer to look at it as well thought out purchasing.



that's fine, however you look at it I don't care. I just don't like the idea of throwing something away after a while. I have what I thought was a good electric trimmer from last year, Ryobi (I have a small yard, electric I 'thought' was good enough). the switch is horrible, stopped working after a few runs. took it apart, tried to fix it, to no avail. same experiences anytime I've tried to get away w/ buying cheap. skil jigsaw, ryobi drill, etc. I've learned to buy higher end products, they don't let me down, milwalkee drill and sawzall, dewalt jigsaw, porter cable sander, stihl trimmer. all servicable, all reliable. when I'm using a tool, I'm not thinking 'I've had this thing for X # of years, what a good deal it's turned out to be, $/yr. I just want it to WORK.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: ksJoe
Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: ksJoe
When it dies, I'll just go buy another cheap on with a split shaft.

ouch. w*l m*rt syndrome strikes again.


I simply don't use a weedeater enough to make use of higher quality.

I see your point, just don't agree w/ it. I don't need to be a furniture maker to appreciate precision tools. I don't need to be a race car driver to enjoy a fast car. and I don't think I have to suffer w/ a mickey mouse toy trimmer just because I'm not a 'professional'. I may not use my stihl more than 10 minutes at a time once a week, but it does the job, does it well, always starts, is easy to use, and I like it.
and please don't misunderstand me. I'm just enjoying the discussion, not meaning to upset anyone, sorry if it sounds like that.

 

[ksJoe]

Originally Posted By: mpvue

I don't need to be a furniture maker to appreciate precision tools. I don't need to be a race car driver to enjoy a fast car.


Certainly. And I do that too sometimes. I didn't mean to sound so extreme about it.

Originally Posted By: mpvue

I'm just enjoying the discussion, not meaning to upset anyone, sorry if it sounds like that.


Not at all. I have a habit of arguing points even when I don't entirely support them if I think the discussion is too focused (especially at work... I'm an engineer).

-Joe

 

[Propflux01]

I have an old weedeater trimmer, about 10 years old. Has run great all this time until last week. Started running like it was starving for gas, if you hit the throttle it would just die. would sorta run on the choke. Found the Fuel primer bulb rotted out, splitting, and I guess letting air in the fuel system. I replaced that, along with the lines, cleaned the carb, removed the muffler and checked the ports, but still runs like it is starving. well, for $89 bucks, ten+ years ago, I guess I can't complain too much about my cheap trimmer! And yes, I used it quite a bit, not commercially, but quite a bit.

 

[4esorselrahc]

The first timmer I owned was a Weedeater. It worked for about one month before giving me trouble. I was ticked and had noticed many of the commercial mowers were using the Echo stuff, so I bought one of the blowers and one of the trimmers. I've owned both for about six years with absolutely no problems other than having cleaning the spark arrestor (now removed). Very, very reliable and rugged gear.

 

[paul246]

I bought a Honda 4 stroke trimmer about 6 years ago and use it regularly around my place as well as neighbours and also a large property that I volunteered to maintain for the local Girl Guides.

The trimmer hasn't missed a beat, ever and is a pleasure to use. Lots of torque and low noise and no smell.

It gets Redline 10w30 @ $1.30 an oil change.

 

[FZ1]

ECHO...ECHo...ECho...Echo...echo.

 

[Lyondellic]

Any thoughts on battery powered string trimmers? I found one at home depot that comes with a main and a spare battery for $99. I believe it was a Black & Decker, but am not 100% sure. For $99 it seems like an electric trimmer would be worth the money, especially one that comes with a spare battery.

 

[FZ1]

Got my Echo that had been only used once or twice for $100 on Craigslist. Check it out.

 

[PW01]

Echo straight shaft!

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: Lyondellic
Any thoughts on battery powered string trimmers? I found one at home depot that comes with a main and a spare battery for $99. I believe it was a Black & Decker, but am not 100% sure. For $99 it seems like an electric trimmer would be worth the money, especially one that comes with a spare battery.


Often an electric has the capabilities and characteristics required, but falls short in one area - service life of the batteries. This is usually the fault of the included chargers, and the owners, more than the batteries themselves.

I see just about everyone pushing Li-Ion batteries. I feel these aren't well suited to power tools. Li chemistries like to be slightly discharged and topped up - like cellphones and iPods, not drills, trimmers and lawnmowers.

I think you'll find that you'll need replacement batteries before the electric motor is shot, and the batteries cost as much as a new trimmer if you try to buy them separately.

This is one of the reasons I went gas.

If you buy electric, store NiCd or NiMH in a discharged state (charging before use) and store Li-Ion fully charged (charge immediately after use).

 

[FZ1]

Before you buy any trimmer,pick it up! See if the shaft configuration and length "fits" your use.

 

[ARB1977]

Ive been happy with my Troy-Bilt 4 stroke although this is my first season using it. Well see what happens when i store it for the season...hopefully she fires next spring.