Which cordless Strimmer?

[Spice_Weasel]

My 25+ year old corded Black and Decker strimmer is close to its demise having developed a wobble and vibration in the strimmer head. Some of the plastic housing is broken too.

I’m looking at a cordless replacement but ideally I’d like to minimise the various brands I have as I already have battery chargers for my DeWalt drill and for my cheapo Aldi hedge trimmer. How compatible are the drill battery chargers with their gardening range. I don’t want a line of chargers for individual tools.

I have about a third of an acre in total garden area. What would you recommend?

[gmaz]

You can get battery convertors so a deWalt battery will fit a Lidl strimmer (for example). Ebay has lots of different types.

[skyebear]

When you say a third of an acre, will all of that need to tackled with a strimmer, or will it just be portions the mower can't do and edges?

I'd have a look at Stihl who offer battery and petrol strimmers as well as loop or bull handles. Different head attachments available for tackling any job.

[Spice_Weasel]

For clarity - it’s for edges and small patches the mower won’t reach.

[kambites]

I don't know about other brands, but Makita certainly do a strimmer which works off the same batteries as their other tools. And a lawn mower, in fact,

[_Rodders_]

I've got the Makita version and even with a relatively new 5Ah battery it isn't powerful enough even for light duty.

It resides at the back of my shed unused.

[48k]

Spice_Weasel said:

My 25+ year old corded Black and Decker strimmer is close to its demise having developed a wobble and vibration in the strimmer head. Some of the plastic housing is broken too.

I m looking at a cordless replacement but ideally I d like to minimise the various brands I have as I already have battery chargers for my DeWalt drill and for my cheapo Aldi hedge trimmer. How compatible are the drill battery chargers with their gardening range. I don t want a line of chargers for individual tools.

I have about a third of an acre in total garden area. What would you recommend?

I'm team yellow and I have the De Walt strimmer. It's a beast. Works really well, has a bump feed cartridge so you don't have to stop to feed more string. Ideally needs a harness because it gets quite tiring if used for extended periods (or I'm just a wimp).

[grumbas]

48k said:

Spice_Weasel said:

My 25+ year old corded Black and Decker strimmer is close to its demise having developed a wobble and vibration in the strimmer head. Some of the plastic housing is broken too.

I m looking at a cordless replacement but ideally I d like to minimise the various brands I have as I already have battery chargers for my DeWalt drill and for my cheapo Aldi hedge trimmer. How compatible are the drill battery chargers with their gardening range. I don t want a line of chargers for individual tools.

I have about a third of an acre in total garden area. What would you recommend?

I'm team yellow and I have the De Walt strimmer. It's a beast. Ideally needs a harness because it gets quite tiring if used for extended periods (or I'm just a wimp).

Ditto, even tackling the area in the woods that really needed a brush cutter it did the job. Our half acre or so of lawned area I can do all the edges, around trees and fiddly bits the mower can't do easily and 5ah battery will still be showing a full charge (3/3 blobs lit).

Screwfix have got it on offer at the moment with a 5ah battery (makes the extra battery if you need one quite cost effective) and free radio redemption promo https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcm561p1s-gb-18v...

[GetCarter]

There's always...

[M11rph]

The ones with the motor unit at the business end are ok for 5 minutes of doing the edges, but not fun for much else. Put a bag of sugar on the end of a broomstick and wave it around for 20 minutes if you need convincing.

Decent ones have the motor unit where the 2 stroke engine used to be and are much nicer to use.

[kambites]

_Rodders_ said:

I've got the Makita version and even with a relatively new 5Ah battery it isn't powerful enough even for light duty.

Really? Mine works fine for edging lawns etc. on my 15 year old 3Ah battery.

It's probably no brush cutter but it's not really meant to be.

[casbar]

I am also in the Makita club, mower and strimmer along with other tools.

I have had no issues with the strimmer, it handles the job well. Makita do make a few different strimmers, mine is not one of the basic ones.

[OutInTheShed]

A mains strimmer seems pretty limp after a 50cc two stroke one.
People's expectations of these things vary.

I trim the edge of the lawn with a knife. The strimmer is used for ultraviolence where a mower won't go.

[Spice_Weasel]

GetCarter said:

There's always...

You may joke but I have had sheep, deer and once a cow break through the fence from the fields behind our garden.

[Spice_Weasel]

Thanks all. I shall check out the Makita and Screwfix DeWalt options.

[Blackpuddin]

kambites said:

I don't know about other brands, but Makita certainly do a strimmer which works off the same batteries as their other tools. And a lawn mower, in fact,

Just bought that Makita mower for a little over £100 and love it, binned off the old Honda which was driving me mad with its weight and poor starting.

[J6542]

Spice_Weasel said:

Thanks all. I shall check out the Makita and Screwfix DeWalt options.

Have a look at sites like

Power tool world
Toolden
Power tool mate

Plus lots of others. Far bigger selection and better prices than Screwfix.

[Russet Grange]

Check out Ego - They're good.

[Familymad]

Been adding cordless tools to my son’s garage as he got his first house. We have been really impressed by Screwfix’s Titan range. Great value and hardy gear.

[Bill]

_Rodders_ said:

I've got the Makita version and even with a relatively new 5Ah battery it isn't powerful enough even for light duty.

It resides at the back of my shed unused.

What are you trying to do with it?

I have an 18v strimmer and a 36v multi tool with the Oregon head. The 18v gets most use strimming round raised beds etc and will deal with nettles and young brambles. But I wouldn't use it for big areas of established weeds.