Line Trimmer / Whipper Snipper - Nothing Too Fancy

• 

  GG57 on 06/12/2017 - 15:51

  I have an Ozito Power X Change 18V Grass Trimmer ($79 @ Bunnings or $125 with battery).
  I like that:
  - It does the job of trimming lawn edges, and occasionally all the grass in a small lawned area
  - It does not have those fiddly lines to continually install, replace, rethread, etc. The blades work really well, and last longer than I expected
  - The battery charge lasts pretty well; I recharge after use and it seems to hold that charge until I need to use it next
  - 3 Year replacement warranty
  - If needed, you could buy the Grass Trimmer and Blower as a package (incl. battery) for $149, or there might be another packaged deal that suits your needs.

• 

  Nugs on 06/12/2017 - 15:59

  i'm surprised this is only listed at $179, so not too much more than your budget.

  https://www.stihl.com.au/STIHL-Products/Grass-Trimmers-Brush…

  i have a 20 year old FS 36 Stihl that was a hand me down, yep it's Stihl working….. only replacement parts have been a couple of bump head nut covers from bumping on concrete and one primer bulb.

  how much did the cheapie cost originally?

  • 

    maxxpowa on 06/12/2017 - 16:16

    The FS38 was one I was actually just researching - seems cheap for a Stihl thats for sure!

    I can't quite remember what we paid for the cheapie, but I do remember it was even cheaper than the marked price because it was a return with no box (worked fine though). I'm thinking it was around the $60 mark?

• 

  shaybisc on 06/12/2017 - 16:06

  What did people used to do before whipper snippers?

  • 

    D C on 06/12/2017 - 16:26

    +1

    Sheep.

    Proto-OzBargainers used goats.

    • 

      voiletmay on 06/12/2017 - 18:08

      There used to be spikes on a circular disk on a stick that people would use to edge their lawns. No idea what they were called, I was a kid and used to watch the neighbour do it.

      • 

        D C on 06/12/2017 - 23:35

        You can still get those, they're called disc edgers.

        You get either the one's with spikes or a solid disc. I've no idea what the difference is and I don't care. I'm sure the lawns nerds do "Oh, manual is better because it doesn't damage the lawn blah blah blah…"

        Yup, Bunnings have heaps of then: https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/garden/garden-hand-too…

        Oh, and those things that look like shovels are rubbish as well.

• 

  Euphemistic on 06/12/2017 - 20:10

  I’ve been happy enough with a Ryobi 18v cordless. The line supplied is a bit thin, but the next size up seems to work ok. Best thing about it is the twist shaft that allows you to edge vertically without changing the grip position, just the head moves.

  Now I’ve got a 36v mower I think I’d prefer a little more power, so I’m waiting for one to pop up on gumtree for the right price.

  • 

    maxxpowa on 06/12/2017 - 21:06

    How do you find the battery life? What if the grass is a bit longer? does it have the power required?

    • 

      Euphemistic on 07/12/2017 - 08:24

      4ah battery does all my edges, around 250m worth. I'm a bit slack with mowing at times and sections can get a bit long at times (a bit above ankle deep) and the battery will still do the lot, but it's a bit slower going and worth running the mower past to cut some down first. Grass is kikuyu or buffalo in the thicker areas and it still copes.

      • 

        maxxpowa on 07/12/2017 - 12:47

        Ok thanks! I'm certainly interested in cordless - just hard to get past my love of the power of petrol lol.

• 

  Daniel Plainview on 06/12/2017 - 21:05

  FWIW in my experience if you're poor at servicing your gear (and honestly it's soooooooooo easy and takes just a lil time & common sense) then you tend to find cheapies far LESS forgiving than the better gear. For 2 stroke engines its even easier than 4's, just make sure your fuel mix doesn't sit in the tank ages between uses, don't use E10 and clean your airfilter out each use….bit of grease etc on the right areas and you're fine.

  That said, if you're slack and don't need much I'd certainly advocate a cheap electric unit.

  FWIW the Stihl posted is prolly the best petrol option as atleast it will carry some resale value whereas cheapies are basically bin-jobs worth nothing after a few uses. It won't be as good as the FS-36, as Stihl gear is now not what it used to be BUT will still run circles around your $100 generic.

  Put some value on your time and effort and grab it - seems good buying.

  • 

    maxxpowa on 06/12/2017 - 21:07

    Thanks for the advice. Going to call past a Stihl store tomorrow and check it out :)

• 

  maxxpowa on 07/12/2017 - 20:45

  So I got the Stihl FS38 today - seems like a steal at $179! First impressions are good, although its raining and I haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

  • 

    Scab on 08/12/2017 - 10:45

    I've had one for a while now, decent machine for the price.

    Been great so far, no issues and has decent power.

  • 

    shaybisc on 09/12/2017 - 09:31

    Plenty of reviews from old Stihl owners saying that the FS38 is not as good as old Stihls.

    • 

      maxxpowa on 10/12/2017 - 14:56

      Ive only used it once…and it seems awesome so far. Also for $179 it's a great price.

      • 

        shaybisc on 19/12/2017 - 09:06

        My father has an FS38 I have just discovered, which I have had the displeasure of using on the rare occasions I can be arsed trimming his huge lawn. I hate the damn thing and I hate whipper snippering and I especially hate trimmer line. So I did a bit of research and found that you can add plastic blades to it instead of line- Polycut 6-3.

        Well I hope you can add a Polycut 6-3 to an FS38. It says so in the manual and on the website but on the packet it says FS 40,45, 46- no mention of 38. The Stihl guy checked his fat catalogue and the codes and he says it's a goer. We shall see.