www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

OchAye wrote:J&K ... Lidl offers https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/Non-Food-Offe ... GardenCare, there is a petrol multitool.

Compared to my Sthil system it does seem very good value. I could get one attachment for almost the same price ,
https://www.radmoretucker.co.uk/shop/ga ... gLwjvD_BwE
Begs the question , one combi system or four or more of the Lidl offering?

I've a KM100 and a KM85 both of which are being superseded but mid priced models are around £250-400 , for example,
https://www.radmoretucker.co.uk/shop/ga ... gIkh_D_BwE

While on the subject of battery powered units Sthil also have ventured into the market but again the price is on the high side , £285 for a bare unit , no batteries or charger

https://www.radmoretucker.co.uk/shop/ga ... gKYL_D_BwE

I've been looking around at reviews of garden multi-tools recently too; the cheap ones seem not to last very long for a lot of people, but then perhaps they don't need to if they only get used once in a while at home. They are quite amazing value for money.

Not sure that there is much alternative really. FWIW I've been looking for a mid-range version (I'm ending up doing a reasonable bit of garden work, but its not my main thing). But the only mid-priced systems I've found look like the cheapo ones sold for too much money or else very marginally improved (certainly their reviews don't seem much better)..

So perhaps its a case of either having to invest proper money to get reliability and longevity, or else buy cheaply from somewhere that doesn't quibble at all about warranty claims. For my purposes (and future aspirations) I'm torn, but for home/private use the latter may be hard to beat, especially if you can replace rotted fuel lines and clean carbs yourself.

Kev888 wrote:...perhaps its a case of either having to invest proper money to get reliability and longevity, or else buy cheaply from somewhere that doesn't quibble at all about warranty claims. For my purposes (and future aspirations) I'm torn, but for home/private use the latter may be hard to beat, especially if you can replace rotted fuel lines and clean carbs yourself.

I'm afraid I'm thinking along the same lines. Once the main garden clearance has been done and the bright blue (?) deck has been installed I'll be doing a lot less gardening (I hope) and so I won't have too much of a need of the kit.

Incidentally I did look at the Stihl stuff "in the metal" as it were yesterday - very nicely made and seemingly their cordless kit uses the same battery packs as you get on the cordless masonry saws. I've used the cordless masonry saw quite recently (hired in) and it has more than enough power and run time to make it a viable trade tool, whilst the lack of fumes and the super quiet running made it a joy to use in comparison to the old two stroke screamers. I have to assume, though, that based on price the garden stuff, like the masonry saws, is aimed at the professional who'll get a lot of use from it over many years. But that ain't me

I was going to get a Stihl when I bought this Tanaka. I use the brush cutter quite a bit and I want reliability.
However, reading some reviews online, and talking to the bloke at the local garden machinery place, (who sells both) it appears that unless you go to the real professional kit, made for all day everyday use, and pay the price of course, then the Tanaka is better thought of than the Stihl these days. The Americans really rate them apparently.
As it was, this one was over £300, and the list price is IIRC over £400.
To put it in context, the "all day everyday" ones run up to around the £750 - £1000 mark.
Why don't you hire one?

Job and Knock wrote:Once the main garden clearance has been done and the bright blue (?) deck has been installed I'll be doing a lot less gardening (I hope) and so I won't have too much of a need of the kit

Add that bright red oriental bridge I mentioned and it's going to look lovely