Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

Hi,

While I seem to be getting through again: a quick request for any ideas of
the best places to buy garden tools (I'm looking for one of those long tree
pruning devices before the garden fruit trees start leafing up again.).

Whilst there seem to be plenty of general tools 'Screwfix' alternatives out
there, none that I have seen does much in the way of garden tools. Where do
the cognoscenti at uk.d-i-y buy their garden tools?

All the best,

S

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

I've found B&Q to be pretty good for garden tools - had their own-
brand border fork and spade with the soft grip handles for several
years, and picked up fullsize stainless fork for a tenner last summer.
They have a pretty good range of branded stuff too - used to have some
nice US stuff called True Temper -don't know whether they still do it.

Seen the true pruners in there (manual and powered) but never used
one. They're the sort of things that come round regularly at Aldi and
Lidl too.

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

Spamlet wrote:
Hi,

While I seem to be getting through again: a quick request for any ideas of
the best places to buy garden tools (I'm looking for one of those long tree
pruning devices before the garden fruit trees start leafing up again.).

Whilst there seem to be plenty of general tools 'Screwfix' alternatives out
there, none that I have seen does much in the way of garden tools. Where do
the cognoscenti at uk.d-i-y buy their garden tools?

All the best,

S



When I wanted some gardening things, I searched and searched. Found
several and ordered from what looked the best. Eventually problems with
the order meant I rang them - and started to realise that the company I
was dealing with was actually masquerading under lots and lots of
different names. (Not suggesting anything underhand! Just marketing.)

Point being, I never found a good one.

Both Axminster and Screwfix sell some gardening tools.

And the bizarrely named choiceful.com. (Anyone got any experience of them?)

http://www.choiceful.com/choiceful-id-103881-Hilka-Telescopic-Tree-Pruner.html

And

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Pruners&product=25374&utm_campaign =comparison&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ncpc
http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=BDBRP&src=froogle
http://www.hardware-ironmongers.com/details.aspx?code=DE301879

(I often go to Google Shopping when wanting to find things. Very useful
for identifying possible suppliers.)

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

Spamlet wrote:
Hi,

While I seem to be getting through again: a quick request for any ideas of
the best places to buy garden tools (I'm looking for one of those long tree
pruning devices before the garden fruit trees start leafing up again.).

Whilst there seem to be plenty of general tools 'Screwfix' alternatives out
there, none that I have seen does much in the way of garden tools. Where do
the cognoscenti at uk.d-i-y buy their garden tools?

Lawson-his can be good for this sort of thing as well as power tools :

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:10:46 GMT, Spamlet wrote:

(I'm looking for one of those long tree pruning devices before the
garden fruit trees start leafing up again.).

CostCo, Gateshead had a decent looking long handled tree pruner in
yesterday. Didn't really look at it but had a hook/blade that would take
something over an inch and a saw blade maybe 8" long.

--
Cheers
Dave.

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

mike wrote:
I've found B&Q to be pretty good for garden tools - had their own-
brand border fork and spade with the soft grip handles for several
years, and picked up fullsize stainless fork for a tenner last summer.
They have a pretty good range of branded stuff too - used to have some
nice US stuff called True Temper -don't know whether they still do it.

Seen the true pruners in there (manual and powered) but never used
one. They're the sort of things that come round regularly at Aldi and
Lidl too.

I've broken about three forks and two spades in the last three years. We
went 'Bulldog' I think.

look for a split metal shaft that clamps either side of a wooden handle.

Anything that has a simple forged socket into which the handle goes will
break at the end of the socket.

Why? cost SWMBO always get s me to dig up the really hard stuff, and
then complains I have broken the tools.

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

John Rumm wrote:
Spamlet wrote:
Hi,

While I seem to be getting through again: a quick request for any
ideas of the best places to buy garden tools (I'm looking for one of
those long tree pruning devices before the garden fruit trees start
leafing up again.).

Whilst there seem to be plenty of general tools 'Screwfix'
alternatives out there, none that I have seen does much in the way of
garden tools. Where do the cognoscenti at uk.d-i-y buy their garden
tools?

Lawson-his can be good for this sort of thing as well as power tools :

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/


All socketed.

The ONLY strapped spade we ever found NEW was this one

http://www.qualitygardentools.com/ha...621012820/view

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

On 27 Jan, 22:29, Rod wrote:

And the bizarrely named choiceful.com. (Anyone got any experience of them?)

I've ordered from Choiceful a couple of times, they're the only source
I know of for Rentokil Ant Foam now Robert Dyas don't sell it anymore.
No problems with the service at all, fast delivery.

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

The Natural Philosopher writes:

mike wrote:
I've found B&Q to be pretty good for garden tools - had their own-
brand border fork and spade with the soft grip handles for several
years, and picked up fullsize stainless fork for a tenner last summer.
They have a pretty good range of branded stuff too - used to have some
nice US stuff called True Temper -don't know whether they still do it.

Seen the true pruners in there (manual and powered) but never used
one. They're the sort of things that come round regularly at Aldi and
Lidl too.

I've broken about three forks and two spades in the last
three years. We went 'Bulldog' I think.

Hmm. I had a Bulldog anvil lopper and managed to break the
anvil biting off more than it could chew. The anvil was a
piece of aluminium bolted to the side of the jaws. No
amount of phoning suppliers got me a spare one (and it's an
awkward shape, so without a milling machine I can't make a
replacement). So not impressed with Bulldog.

Why? cost SWMBO always get s me to dig up the really hard
stuff,

Gelignite...

and then complains I have broken the

.... windows...

--
Jón Fairbairn
http://www.chaos.org.uk/~jf/Stuff-I-dont-want.html (updated 2008-04-26)

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

"mike" wrote in message
...
I've found B&Q to be pretty good for garden tools - had their own-
brand border fork and spade with the soft grip handles for several
years, and picked up fullsize stainless fork for a tenner last summer.
They have a pretty good range of branded stuff too - used to have some
nice US stuff called True Temper -don't know whether they still do it.

Seen the true pruners in there (manual and powered) but never used
one. They're the sort of things that come round regularly at Aldi and
Lidl too.

In most cases I have found B&Q to be very expensive compared with the same
items at other stores - Wilkinson's for example - and with its own Screwfix
incarnation. Problem being the range of items available at the better value
outlets is smaller than B&Q, and garden centres seem to be even more
expensive and mostly concerned with general Sunday trading rather than real
garden stuff these days.

I do keep an eye open at Aldi and Lidl, but haven't seen much garden stuff
lately.

S

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

"Rod" wrote in message
...
Spamlet wrote:
Hi,

While I seem to be getting through again: a quick request for any ideas
of the best places to buy garden tools (I'm looking for one of those long
tree pruning devices before the garden fruit trees start leafing up
again.).

Whilst there seem to be plenty of general tools 'Screwfix' alternatives
out there, none that I have seen does much in the way of garden tools.
Where do the cognoscenti at uk.d-i-y buy their garden tools?

All the best,

S



When I wanted some gardening things, I searched and searched. Found
several and ordered from what looked the best. Eventually problems with
the order meant I rang them - and started to realise that the company I
was dealing with was actually masquerading under lots and lots of
different names. (Not suggesting anything underhand! Just marketing.)

Point being, I never found a good one.

Both Axminster and Screwfix sell some gardening tools.

And the bizarrely named choiceful.com. (Anyone got any experience of
them?)

http://www.choiceful.com/choiceful-id-103881-Hilka-Telescopic-Tree-Pruner.html

And

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Pruners&product=25374&utm_campaign =comparison&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ncpc
http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=BDBRP&src=froogle
http://www.hardware-ironmongers.com/details.aspx?code=DE301879

(I often go to Google Shopping when wanting to find things. Very useful
for identifying possible suppliers.)

--
Rod

Thanks Rod, it was very kind of you to look those out for me.
Any ideas about what models to go for/avoid?
(It is not easy to see how the various options work or how sturdy they are,
from the descriptions and pics.)
Would you go for the Hilka?

Cheers,
S

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
mike wrote:
I've found B&Q to be pretty good for garden tools - had their own-
brand border fork and spade with the soft grip handles for several
years, and picked up fullsize stainless fork for a tenner last summer.
They have a pretty good range of branded stuff too - used to have some
nice US stuff called True Temper -don't know whether they still do it.

Seen the true pruners in there (manual and powered) but never used
one. They're the sort of things that come round regularly at Aldi and
Lidl too.

I've broken about three forks and two spades in the last three years. We
went 'Bulldog' I think.

look for a split metal shaft that clamps either side of a wooden handle.

Anything that has a simple forged socket into which the handle goes will
break at the end of the socket.

Why? cost SWMBO always get s me to dig up the really hard stuff, and then
complains I have broken the tools.

I wasn't particularly after spades and forks as these do turn up regularly
in the more general outlets and the deals one gets nowadays on stainless are
quite extraordinarily low cost.
On occasion I have broken a spade or fork - or rather *it* has broken from
being poorly made. Some are welded at the junction of handle socket and
blade, and break there quite easily, similarly some forks have welded on
tines which also break off on encountering the first serious bit of flint.
Old style strap socketed ones tend to go rickety as the wood ages. Modern
all metal ones are strongest - if heavy-, but for my preference the
ordinary, socketed wooden shafted, small stainless ones are usually
excellent. The trick is to remember that they are intended for digging not
levering: any extra leverage required can often be achieved by putting one
behind the other, but it is generally a good idea to use a crowbar for any
seriously tenacious spots.

Cheers,
S

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.net...
On Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:10:46 GMT, Spamlet wrote:

(I'm looking for one of those long tree pruning devices before the
garden fruit trees start leafing up again.).

CostCo, Gateshead had a decent looking long handled tree pruner in
yesterday. Didn't really look at it but had a hook/blade that would take
something over an inch and a saw blade maybe 8" long.

--
Cheers
Dave.

Ah, I'd forgotten them: now I did have a card somewhere - but my nearest
would (I think) be Watford, if it's still there.

Cheers,
S

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

Spamlet wrote:
"Rod" wrote in message
...
Spamlet wrote:
Hi,

While I seem to be getting through again: a quick request for any ideas
of the best places to buy garden tools (I'm looking for one of those long
tree pruning devices before the garden fruit trees start leafing up
again.).

Whilst there seem to be plenty of general tools 'Screwfix' alternatives
out there, none that I have seen does much in the way of garden tools.
Where do the cognoscenti at uk.d-i-y buy their garden tools?

All the best,

S



When I wanted some gardening things, I searched and searched. Found
several and ordered from what looked the best. Eventually problems with
the order meant I rang them - and started to realise that the company I
was dealing with was actually masquerading under lots and lots of
different names. (Not suggesting anything underhand! Just marketing.)

Point being, I never found a good one.

Both Axminster and Screwfix sell some gardening tools.

And the bizarrely named choiceful.com. (Anyone got any experience of
them?)

http://www.choiceful.com/choiceful-id-103881-Hilka-Telescopic-Tree-Pruner.html

And

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Pruners&product=25374&utm_campaign =comparison&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ncpc
http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=BDBRP&src=froogle
http://www.hardware-ironmongers.com/details.aspx?code=DE301879

(I often go to Google Shopping when wanting to find things. Very useful
for identifying possible suppliers.)

--
Rod

Thanks Rod, it was very kind of you to look those out for me.
Any ideas about what models to go for/avoid?
(It is not easy to see how the various options work or how sturdy they are,
from the descriptions and pics.)
Would you go for the Hilka?

Cheers,
S


No idea! However, in some garden tool areas, Bahco seem pretty good.

Absolutely agreed about difficulty in interpreting pictures, etc.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

"Spamlet" wrote:

Ah, I'd forgotten them: now I did have a card somewhere - but my nearest
would (I think) be Watford, if it's still there.


Yes, it's still there, but if your card has expired you will be expected
to renew it for £30.

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:10:46 GMT, "Spamlet"
wrote:

Hi,

While I seem to be getting through again: a quick request for any ideas of
the best places to buy garden tools (I'm looking for one of those long tree
pruning devices before the garden fruit trees start leafing up again.).

Whilst there seem to be plenty of general tools 'Screwfix' alternatives out
there, none that I have seen does much in the way of garden tools. Where do
the cognoscenti at uk.d-i-y buy their garden tools?

All the best,

S

I was looking at loppers in Google recently and there are loads of
places selling them so google for Tree Pruners,Loppers or similar
words

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

On Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:02:34 +0000, Bruce wrote:

"Spamlet" wrote:

Ah, I'd forgotten them: now I did have a card somewhere - but my nearest
would (I think) be Watford, if it's still there.


Yes, it's still there, but if your card has expired you will be expected
to renew it for £30.

Do you still need to be employed in certain "categories" or can anyone
joing Costco?

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:02:34 +0000, Bruce wrote:

"Spamlet" wrote:

Ah, I'd forgotten them: now I did have a card somewhere - but my nearest
would (I think) be Watford, if it's still there.


Yes, it's still there, but if your card has expired you will be expected
to renew it for £30.

Do you still need to be employed in certain "categories" or can anyone
joing Costco?


I don't know. I am in at least one of the categories, so not a problem.
I'm not sure it is worth £30. I certainly haven't bought enough there
in the past year to justify my subscription.

Yes, that's what happened with us: bought a load of multipacks of things at
silly low prices the day we got the card, but then never went back. If we
had one here in Luton, things would no doubt be different, but I wouldn't
want to see them build yet another huge eyesore here on my account!

Cheers,
S

Is there a 'Screwfix' equivalent for garden tools?
 

On Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:02:34 +0000, Bruce wrote:

Yes, it's still there, but if your card has expired you will be expected
to renew it for £30.

Has the sub gone up then? It was £20 + VAT £23.50 @ 17.5%.

Must admit I have to justify the trip to Gateshead rather more than I used
to. The savings on a couple of boxes of beer would pay the fuel but since
the hefty antibiotics I needed when I bust me ankle a few months back I've
stopped drinking...

Last couple of visits have been done when I've been passing by that way
for work.

--
Cheers
Dave.