Lawn lutes - why so expensive? Anyone made their own?

I came across this blog post whilst looking for a levelawn / lawn lute. I too was shocked by how much they cost for something that would be used a handful of times. Thanks so much Russell for putting together this list of items and pictures to build your own. Unfortunately, Screwfix no longer sell the aluminium bars (they told me they are discontinued) so I had to source from ebay. I went for the thicker bars (2mm as opposed to 1.5mm that were from Screwfix) as recommended by Russell.

Anyway, I managed to build it for £39.65 - it looks identical to Russell's picture!


4 May 2020 - I have updated the parts list:

SCREWFIX:
  • 1 x Easyfix Steel Large Flat Washers M5 x 1.2mm 100 Pack (871FT) £2.69 ** Note: these were fine for the angled pieces (corners) and the swivel flange but were too big to fit in the U Channel pieces, so I bought some mixed washers off ebay (£3.59) - link below. You could get away with just buying the ebay ones or use both as I did. **
  • 1 x Easyfix Roofing Bolts M5 x 20mm 10 Pack (3442J) £1.09 ** Note: you will actually need 12 of these bolts. I just cut 2 of the 30mm down to 20mm as you only need 2 of the 30mm for the swivel flange so will have 8 spare. So either get 2 packs of 20mm or get 1 pack & cut down 2 of the 30mm bolts **
  • 1 x Easyfix Roofing Bolts M5 x 30mm 10 Pack (6194J) £1.59

TOOLSTATION:
  • 1 x Wooden Broom Handle 5' x 1 1/8" (28mm - most other wooden handles are 23mm from screwfix/wilko etc) (30010) £1.98

EBAY:
  • 1 x 169 Swivel Flange - 27mm £4.23 delivered ebay seller "pegasusindustrial"

  • 1x 4pk Aluminium Extruded Angle 20mm x 20mm x 2mm. 1000mm length. £11.86 delivered ebay seller "metalsshop"

  • 1x4pk ALUMINIUM U CHANNEL 18mm x 18mm x2mm. 1000mm length. £12.62 delivered ebay seller "metalsshop"

** Note: I chose 18mm x 18mm as it will sit on top of the 2mm angled pieces meaning all pieces will align flush at the top (20mm) so in theory you could turn the lute over by swapping the handle around and have the option of using the rough or smooth sides as per this smaller £60 one on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283794076716 (seller "designsinmetal") **​

  • 1 x 200 OF 'MIXED IN THE PACK' A2 STAINLESS STEEL M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 FORM A FLAT WASHER. £3.59 delivered ebay seller "dt-bargain"


Hope this is of use to people in the future!
 
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I am glad I found this post. thanks for the inspiration. Here is my version of a lawn lute. All in all this costed me £51

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have started on my lawn, mine has been fairly uneven and very patchy, i have started with tilling the lawn, removing grass roots which stick too much soil, the current result after walking to make it flat is not good hence want to get this lawn lute to level along with some compost/top soil mix added.

thanks for providing parts list, can someone provide instructions please i like the one which had pre-drilled holes
 
I'm very glad I found this forum and thanks to you all for your inspiration.

Here's my version with the parts listed below. Mine is 90cm x 45cm:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Key-Clamp-Handrail-System-Connectors-Pipe-Tube-Q-Fittings-Railings-Steel-Tube/263969449130?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=563477929512&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

https://www.toolstation.com/wooden-broom-handle/p30010

https://www.toolstation.com/aluminium-angle/p65910

https://www.toolstation.com/dome-head-rivet/p12798

Total cost £29.16 and almost 1 full length of aluminium angle left which cost £20.43 for 3 lengths. And 88 rivets left! I was going to use rivets to attach the swivel joint also but didn't have any long enough so used some M4 bolts instead.

https://imgur.com/gallery/AzxNB2V
 
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