Garden multi tools

Author
Discussion

Gtom

Original Poster:

1,614 posts

133 months

Sunday 21st April
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I’m needing to get a new 4/5/6/etc in 1 split shaft multi tool for my garden to replace the POS Titan effort that I have currently got.

I’m heavily invested in 18v Makita stuff so it makes sense to go down this route but it’s know whether the 18v is man enough at £80 for the motor or it’s £240 odd for the x2 18v motor. I’m looking to run a brush cutter, strimmer, hedge cutter, chainsaw and the tiller would be nice too. The thing is I’m probably about £1k in to that with a 36v motor.

Whilst browsing on eBay I have spotted the Honda gx50 multi tools and these look appealing for £300. All the tools I want and a 4 stroke motor too, trouble is I can’t see any reviews on them. They all seem to be coming on a slow boat from China so I’m guessing when they pack up its throw it away but I could buy three sets for the price of one Makita.

Once I have got my garden to where I want it to be the tool isn’t going to have to work hard, just keeping on top of trimming everything back.

I’m open to a 2 stroke system but not another bloody Titan or similar.

I’m looking to buy asap really so I’m open to peoples suggestions.

biggiles

1,716 posts

226 months

Monday 22nd April
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Gtom said:
I’m needing to get a new 4/5/6/etc in 1 split shaft multi tool for my garden to replace the POS Titan effort that I have currently got.

I’m heavily invested in 18v Makita stuff so it makes sense to go down this route but it’s know whether the 18v is man enough at £80 for the motor or it’s £240 odd for the x2 18v motor. I’m looking to run a brush cutter, strimmer, hedge cutter, chainsaw and the tiller would be nice too. The thing is I’m probably about £1k in to that with a 36v motor.

Whilst browsing on eBay I have spotted the Honda gx50 multi tools and these look appealing for £300. All the tools I want and a 4 stroke motor too, trouble is I can’t see any reviews on them. They all seem to be coming on a slow boat from China so I’m guessing when they pack up its throw it away but I could buy three sets for the price of one Makita.

Once I have got my garden to where I want it to be the tool isn’t going to have to work hard, just keeping on top of trimming everything back.

I’m open to a 2 stroke system but not another bloody Titan or similar.

I’m looking to buy asap really so I’m open to peoples suggestions.
No /advice/ per se, but I have similar experience. Lots of Makita 18v batteries and tools. I kept looking at the split-shaft options, but, IMHO, they are from a bygone era of portable internal combustion engines. When the motors were expensive and complicated, they made more sense. Now, less so - so I have separate Makita tools e.g. the strimmer/brush-cutter, hedge trimmer, chainsaw. The Makita 36v kit has been good for me.

(And if you're talking about pole chainsaws, look at the Ryobi one with a badaptor).

No experience of a tiller, but given how incredibly rarely I ever want one, I'd probably get a cheap mains one...

Gtom

Original Poster:

1,614 posts

133 months

Wednesday 24th April
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Ideally I would like to keep with a multi tool, I don’t fancy having several machines taking up space.

TUS373

4,516 posts

282 months

Wednesday 24th April
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I have a Makita DUX60 36v split shaft unit and use: strimmer, brush cutter, hedge trimmer, lawn edger. I do like it and agree the accessories are a bit pricey. However, the quality is good. I enjoy gardening with it, it makes it more of a pleasure and less of a chore.

Looking at getting the pole saw next. I have bought a bit at a time so not taken the big hit. Also got 36v chainsaw, 18v sprayer, 36v mower....and a sander. I am satisfied that is well made, reliable, well designed and comfortable kit.

motco

15,966 posts

247 months

Wednesday 24th April
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Gtom said:
Ideally I would like to keep with a multi tool, I don’t fancy having several machines taking up space.
More than ten years ago I bought this - or its equivalent at the time - from Trueshopping
It's been fine for my occasional use and their customer service has been okay for me when I needed some spares.

Bill

52,830 posts

256 months

Wednesday 24th April
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I'm also all in on Makita 36v. It replaced a Ryobi 2 stroke and is leagues better made, vibrates far less and has the obvious fuel/starting/servicing advantages. Even if you don't go for Makita there's no way I'd go for petrol.

Gtom

Original Poster:

1,614 posts

133 months

Wednesday 24th April
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I have look at all options with Makita, 18v, 36v and 40v, I have got batteries and chargers to cover them all, although if I have the 40v I may be a couple more just to cover me.

I’m still looking at the Honda gx50 kit, the fact it’s a 4 stroke appeals, unless it’s a nice motorbike 2 stokes are just annoying!

OutInTheShed

7,672 posts

27 months

Wednesday 24th April
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I've got a no-name 52cc Chinese strimmer/hedgetrimmer/polesaw.

Having had a play with the lighter 26cc models, mine feels awkward and heavy.

I think that, unless you have a multi-acre garden, or you are in the trade, the need for these things is exaggerated.
Now we've got our garden 'tamed' there isn't much chainsawing to be done easch year. The trimming can be done with low power Li Ion tools or hand tools.

A cordless strimmer would be a handy tool right now.
If I was investing in a battery system for the garden, then I'd include the lawnmower, because although our mains rotary mower is fine, cheap and OK for Mrs Shed to use, the cable is a faff.
As with woodwork, quality hand tools can be more pleasant to use?

Bikesalot

1,835 posts

159 months

Wednesday 24th April
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Interesting…

I’ve been in a position with a large, very mature garden then needing trees cutting back / down. Large, in length, conifer hedges, mature boarders, lawns, shrubs and bushes etc etc. I went down the cheap multi tool route thinking it would tick all the boxes to get everything back into shape. It was a heavy 2 stroke Aldi special, reality is the only job it’s good at is strimming, so I’ve a heavy two stroke strimmer and lots of used but useless attachments. I complimented it with a Stihl hedge cutter and borrowed a chainsaw when needed.

Gtom

Original Poster:

1,614 posts

133 months

Wednesday 24th April
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While out tonight I remembered I had seen that Lidl were offering an x2 18v 4in1 multi tool. Called in and they had 3 left, £150 without batteries or a charger, 4ah battery was £25 (2 needed) and a charger was £10.

£210 and I have got everything I need for less than the price of the 36v Makita motor. Sure it’s not going to be anywhere close on terms quality and it it won’t match the makita 36v for power but I’m sure it will be better than the 18v Makita. It’s got a 3 year guarantee and I can get battery adapters so I can run my Makita 18v batteries for £15-20 each.

If it can cope with hacking back my garden, I think it will do for keeping it trimmed up. Worst case if it lasts a year I will spend the money next year and buy Makita.

markiii

3,628 posts

195 months

Wednesday 24th April
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Makita to parkside adaptors? Do share a link, that's one that would be useful

Gtom

Original Poster:

1,614 posts

133 months

Wednesday 24th April
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markiii said:
Makita to parkside adaptors? Do share a link, that's one that would be useful
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166693816100?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fdg5gaustfu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=xfptffe5rmc&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

JimM169

405 posts

123 months

Thursday 25th April
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I've got the Stihl multi tool body with the long reach hedge trimmer and can't fault it. Also have a couple of other tools which fit it but are only occassionaly used so these are a cheaper non-Stihl brand. Run it on Aspen fuel and never had an issue starting it etc Works for me and never had a need to consider the battery route



Watcher of the skies

533 posts

38 months

Thursday 25th April
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How does lubrication work on the 4 stroke machines? Are they dry sumped?