Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

[Mr Jack]

Anyone use battery garden tools?

Yes. I have five Ryobi jobs. The hedge trimmer is excellent. The strimmer and leaf blower do the job competently enough. The mower is all a bit anaemic, but I only bought it to do odds and sods (we have a robot mower than does 95% of it) so it's excellent for my needs, very well designed just not powerful; they also do 36V models which are probably better for more serious use but I'd still get a corded one, I think. And a little cordless grass/shrub sheerer thing which is completely useless.

 

[Bigpig]

Cheers.

Father’s Day is approaching.

Time to start dropping hints

 

[SpellowHouse]

Anyone use battery garden tools?

I keep fighting with my petrol strimmer every year and thinking of buying the Milwaukee quick lock tool. (I have other tools from this brand so can use the battery’s)

Reason going for the quick lock I’ve just recently planted a lot of hedging so this can kill two birds with one stone.

I have a Dewalt Pole Chainsaw, pole hedge trimmer and standard hedge trimmer. They are excellent. I believe they do a strimmer for £160.

Being battery powered, they are not as powerful as mains powered tools, but they are usually fine as long as you take a little care.
They are often much lighter. The battery choice, well, the smaller the battery, the lighter the tool ends up. Personally, I prefer 2x2ah batteries, because you can have one on charge while you use the other. Despite what you might think, a 5ah battery will drive the tool a little faster, but the difference is marginal. Of course the 5ah last much longer, but they are heavier. If you can afford two 5ah batteries, then I would say get two.

Milwaukee is a great brand. I am certain the specs will be similar to DeWalt.

 

[Bigpig]

I have the drill and driver combo with 2 5ah.

Was thinking of using those batteries and getting some lighter ones for the drills

 

[Mr Jack]

Thinking of strimmers. A battery strimmer is, imo, about as powerful as a corded one and much more convenient. But obviously has nothing on a petrol one. I guess it depends on what you're using it for: if you want something to power through brambles, etc. then you need a petrol one. If you're just cleaning up grass, nettles, etc. and edging your lawn then a battery one is plenty powerful enough.

 

[b0rn2sk8]

If you are doing brambles then a brush cutter would be way more effective than a line strimmer.

The 54v stuff has way more power and it’s only a matter of time until they bring those new pouch cells to that platform. It’s getting close already and you don’t have to breathe in all the fumes for the privilege.

 

[SpellowHouse]

I've got that set, loved it at first, then found the quality OK but did go through a few doing a shed.. I then was left with Gaps in the box and I hate that..

My neighbour (carpenter) said he prefers buying individual boxes of each type, e.g. DeWalt PZ2 impact bits are £8 for 25:

Absolutely. 99% of the time you are going to be using PZ2, and they don't last forever, so a big box of them is a solid purchase.

I buy the sets to keep at the bottom of the toolbox for those really weird times when it's not PZ2 !!

Impact drivers are the same, imo. They are first fix tools, so mine has sat at the bottom of the toolbox completely unused. The only reason I don't sell it on eBay, is they are useful for removing stubborn screws.

 

[Fireskull]

I have the drill and driver combo with 2 5ah.

Was thinking of using those batteries and getting some lighter ones for the drills

The 3ah HA ones are great for the drills, good power/weight not had to charge mine for months and they get used most weekends.
There is a Milwaukee brush cutter attachment for the quick-lok also for heavier work, I don't have it but found the strimmer fine for most things, and a pair of Secateurs in the back pocket for stubborn brambles

 

[Bigpig]

Yeah think I’m sold. I’ll pick up the hedge attachment later when the laurels are more established.

Got my eye on the blower also

 

[-Ad-]

Anyone got one of these? Looks interesting, but would like a user review

18V ONE+™ Cordless Patio Cleaner with Wire Brush (1 x 2.0Ah)

Cordless Patio Cleaner with Wire Brush | RYOBI 18V ONE+™ RY18PCA-120

Ryobi - 18V ONE+™ Cordless Patio Cleaner With Wire Brush (1 X 2.0Ah) | High quality patio cleaners from Ryobi's range of gardening tools. Buy here

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The Mrs looked at this, until I watched the videos.

Overpriced tat, with expensive replacement wheels, that may even scuff/damage the surrounding blocks/slabs.

Use a scraper or stuff bristle thin brush, a pressure washer would help also. For the weeds just grab some Gallup in a 1l bottle that'll last you for many years at the correct dilution ratio.

 

[Dyson]

The Mrs looked at this, until I watched the videos.

Overpriced tat, with expensive replacement wheels, that may even scuff/damage the surrounding blocks/slabs.

Use a scraper or stuff bristle thin brush, a pressure washer would help also. For the weeds just grab some Gallup in a 1l bottle that'll last you for many years at the correct dilution ratio.

Yep, just sticking withy trusty scraper lol

 

[Martynt74]

I'm eyeing up Cordless Pressure Washers. I came to do the patio last weekend but my old Karcher was leaking. I don't have the time/inclination to fix it as we're emigrating and so also have no desire to buy a new one.

I've been debating a cordless one for a while. I figured it'd be handy in Spain for washing the paddleboard before it goes on the roof and small cleaning jobs, and given how expensive stuff is over there, it makes sense to buy one here. I've given up on doing the patio prior to sale. It takes around 2 full days and as my wife pointed out, can make a mess as stuff sprays everywhere and we've spent a while cleaning the outside windows/fences etc that we don't want to make filthy again.

There is however some bird crap stuck on, and some areas where it's really bad compared to the paving next to it. My theory is a cordless one might do enough to even it up, whilst not actually cleaning properly. It'll also mean i can keep on top of bird poo during viewings without scrubbing!

A few years back i bought a Parkside one, which whilst "ok", wasn't great and then broke and i returned it to Lidl. The Worx hydroshot i tried also wasn't even powerful enough to dislodge dried bird poo. As such i thought i'd look at the higher end ones. I see Worx do one called the "Nitro" which is new. It seems more powerful than the normal models but i'm curious how much better it would be. Dewalt also do one, which would be ideal as i've got loads of Dewalt batteries but it's £280!

I did hit buy on a Stanley one from Toolstation, as there was a deal on a free second 4AH battery, but i think that'd likely be comparable with the Parkside/basix Worx one.

Ryobi also seem to do one which can hit 41BAR which would be handy and i could use a Badaptor to use my Dewalt batteries. Although not sure if the waterproof case would accept that.

Basically it goes

Ryobi - 41BAR - Around £160 for the bare tool. Can possibly use Dewalt batteries. Main issue is it's £160 on Ryobi but is often reduced to £110 based on HDUK and i'd be annoyed if i bought it for £50 more than it's often reduced to!
Worx Nitro - 55BAR - £200 for a kit including 4AH battery - Downside being it's another ecosystem (already have Parkside and Dewalt and unlikely to use any other Worx tools). There are other battery adaptors i could potentially use
Dewalt - 37 BAR - Amazon seem to have it at £170 but imported from the USA. Not as powerful as i'd first thought.


Anyone used one of the higher end pressure washers and have any thoughts?

 

[Martynt74]

An update on the above post. I bought the Worx Nitro. It arrived Friday and has actually been pretty decent. Wouldn't want to do all of our paving with it (>80m2) but for smaller patios it'd do a decent job, it's a considerable performance upgrade on the standard models and cleaned well providing the staining/dirt weren't too ingrained on the small area i tried.

Battery life lasts around 20 minutes, and that's where my problem lies. I'd bought an adaptor to use Dewalt batteries, but it doesn't fit the pressure washer, and due to that i'm going to send it back. Without being able to use other batteries it doesn't last long enough to justify replacing a proper pressure washer and for my other use cases it's too expensive vs the regular models.

 

[Armageus]

Just popped up on my Google News feed - one for F1 fans -

Limited edition Dewalt Mclaren F1 range @ Screwfix

DeWalt McLaren F1 Team DCK200ME2GT-GB 18V 2 x 1.7Ah Li-Ion PowerStack Brushless Cordless Twin Kit - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Brushless twin pack containing combi drill with 2 speed settings, and 3-mode impact driver. Includes 2 x G-Class Powerstack batteries with glass-filled nylon housing for resistance to chemicals and grease, and non-slip TPE overmould to provide stability and protect...

www.screwfix.com

Error 410 | Screwfix

Thousands of products at low trade prices | FREE next day delivery available | 30 day money back guarantee on all orders.

www.screwfix.com

Error 410 | Screwfix

Thousands of products at low trade prices | FREE next day delivery available | 30 day money back guarantee on all orders.

www.screwfix.com

DeWalt McLaren F1 Team IP54 TSTAK Tower 3 Pcs - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Storage bundle containing wheeled mobile storage, deep tool box and smoked-lid organiser. Features IP54-rated water and dust seal, heavy duty metal hinges, and powder-coated metal latches for durability and longevity. Bi-material telescopic handle slides into tool...

www.screwfix.com

DeWalt McLaren F1 Team Backpack 53.7Ltr - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Heavy duty 1680 denier polyester construction, with large open compartment for quick tool access. Features multiple pockets and tool holders for organisation, as well as padded laptop compartment, and IP54 water-resistant welded compartment for personal belongings...

www.screwfix.com

 

[Terminal_Boy]

If you already own a decent compresser and have a lot of stapling to do, treat yourself to a pneumatic staple gun.

I have an old Homebase electric one that’s been okay for putting short (6-8mm) staples into softwoods, but it’s gradually got less powerful and I saw a deal on a pneumatic one in my local hardware store last week.

Unsurprisingly, it’s so much better than the old electric one, I kicked myself for not buying a pneumatic one years ago.

Puts 14mm staples into hardwood all day long with a tap on the trigger.

You’ll want hearing protection to go with your safety glasses using these (especially indoors) as you get a good “pop” when it cycles.

This might be a feature of my model, but it has no safety mechanism to ensure it only operates when in contact with a hard surface as my old electric one has. This means keeping your finger alway from the trigger until you’re ready to fire and not pointing it at anything you don’t want it to fire a staple into is a Very Good Thing.

For the sake of science, I determined that it will launch staples out to a range of around 7-8 metres and will stick them into cardboard at 3-4 metres.

 

[NVP]

Literally spent yesterday nailing plastic sheeting into a wooden frame - completely forgot about staples!!

 

[SpellowHouse]

An update on the above post. I bought the Worx Nitro. It arrived Friday and has actually been pretty decent. Wouldn't want to do all of our paving with it (>80m2) but for smaller patios it'd do a decent job, it's a considerable performance upgrade on the standard models and cleaned well providing the staining/dirt weren't too ingrained on the small area i tried.

Battery life lasts around 20 minutes, and that's where my problem lies. I'd bought an adaptor to use Dewalt batteries, but it doesn't fit the pressure washer, and due to that i'm going to send it back. Without being able to use other batteries it doesn't last long enough to justify replacing a proper pressure washer and for my other use cases it's too expensive vs the regular models.

The DeWalt DCPW550B isn't much more expensive.

 

[Martynt74]

The DeWalt DCPW550B isn't much more expensive.

Anywhere I saw it, it was around £280 for the bare tool which is around double.

Some sites imported from the USA for cheaper but it would’ve taken too long.

 

[piggin]

Just popped up on my Google News feed - one for F1 fans -

Limited edition Dewalt Mclaren F1 range @ Screwfix

DeWalt McLaren F1 Team DCK200ME2GT-GB 18V 2 x 1.7Ah Li-Ion PowerStack Brushless Cordless Twin Kit - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Brushless twin pack containing combi drill with 2 speed settings, and 3-mode impact driver. Includes 2 x G-Class Powerstack batteries with glass-filled nylon housing for resistance to chemicals and grease, and non-slip TPE overmould to provide stability and protect...

www.screwfix.com

Do these tools run slower than everyone else's? OR is that just when they put their name to F1

 

[SpellowHouse]

Just popped up on my Google News feed - one for F1 fans -

Limited edition Dewalt Mclaren F1 range @ Screwfix

DeWalt McLaren F1 Team DCK200ME2GT-GB 18V 2 x 1.7Ah Li-Ion PowerStack Brushless Cordless Twin Kit - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Brushless twin pack containing combi drill with 2 speed settings, and 3-mode impact driver. Includes 2 x G-Class Powerstack batteries with glass-filled nylon housing for resistance to chemicals and grease, and non-slip TPE overmould to provide stability and protect...

www.screwfix.com

Error 410 | Screwfix

Thousands of products at low trade prices | FREE next day delivery available | 30 day money back guarantee on all orders.

www.screwfix.com

Error 410 | Screwfix

Thousands of products at low trade prices | FREE next day delivery available | 30 day money back guarantee on all orders.

www.screwfix.com

DeWalt McLaren F1 Team IP54 TSTAK Tower 3 Pcs - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Storage bundle containing wheeled mobile storage, deep tool box and smoked-lid organiser. Features IP54-rated water and dust seal, heavy duty metal hinges, and powder-coated metal latches for durability and longevity. Bi-material telescopic handle slides into tool...

www.screwfix.com

DeWalt McLaren F1 Team Backpack 53.7Ltr - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Heavy duty 1680 denier polyester construction, with large open compartment for quick tool access. Features multiple pockets and tool holders for organisation, as well as padded laptop compartment, and IP54 water-resistant welded compartment for personal belongings...

www.screwfix.com

Seems like a strange combination. DeWalt and McLaren.

They always push the sets as well, and I am not sure the average person has much need for the impact driver.