As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good

In article om,
"bm" writes:

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good

Do you mean a long reach hedge trimmer?
I use a Stihl, which is very good, but they aren't cheap.
Dealing with Stihl is also a pain, because they won't let
their distributors do mail order on power tools.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article om,
"bm" writes:
"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good

Do you mean a long reach hedge trimmer?
I use a Stihl, which is very good, but they aren't cheap.
Dealing with Stihl is also a pain, because they won't let
their distributors do mail order on power tools.

I have a Stihl and it's fine.

Bill

On 06/08/13 23:07, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.


Best I saw was a cordless electric. the battery pack sits on your
shoulders, and the actual cutter is light and well balanced. A LOT less
tiring then a petrol, and the hour or three of charge is more than
enough before its time to quit.

Bitch of a job cutting hedge tops.
3 hours TOPS. then do the sides with the petrol :-)


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
On 06/08/13 23:07, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.


Best I saw was a cordless electric. the battery pack sits on your
shoulders, and the actual cutter is light and well balanced. A LOT less
tiring then a petrol, and the hour or three of charge is more than enough
before its time to quit.

Bitch of a job cutting hedge tops.
3 hours TOPS. then do the sides with the petrol :-)

Which one was that?

On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:

As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.

The cheaper option is normally a Ryobi... Hedge trimming is what it does
least well IMHO[1]. I have a 4 stroke one, with a husqvana positionable
hedge trimmer end for it. Its too heavy to do much at a time since it
all steel rather than ali. Cutting capacity is moderate, and quality
just about ok.


[1] its fine as a strimmer when used with a harness, and makes a good
pole pruner with a 10" chainsaw head.

--
Cheers,

John.

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

On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.


Pretty un-exotic I know, but I bought a Titan from Screwfix last year
and it does the job for not too much dosh. Maybe 70 squids. Can't
really comment on reliability of course after a year but they have a
long warranty.

On 07/08/2013 03:00, GMM wrote:
On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.


Pretty un-exotic I know, but I bought a Titan from Screwfix last year
and it does the job for not too much dosh. Maybe 70 squids. Can't
really comment on reliability of course after a year but they have a
long warranty.

Would you buy the electric or the petrol, though? I notice that the
electric one is roughly half the power of the petrol on - 400w vs 1.07 hp.

Petrol one weighs 7.9 kg vs 3.1 for the electric one. OTOH the electric
one has the motor on the top of the pole, so the weight is high up.

On Wednesday 07 August 2013 02:20 John Rumm wrote in uk.d-i-y:

On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:

As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.

The cheaper option is normally a Ryobi...

Note of caution - the Ryobi hedge trimmer has plastic gears and I stripped
mine. Replacement gear nearly as much as a whole new unit. Not impressed!

--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

Reading this on the web? See:
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Usenet

On 07/08/2013 03:00, GMM wrote:
On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.


Pretty un-exotic I know, but I bought a Titan from Screwfix last year
and it does the job for not too much dosh. Maybe 70 squids. Can't
really comment on reliability of course after a year but they have a
long warranty.

I bought a titan pole trimmer last year and it failed on the first
outing, one of the cutters stopped working, stripped it down to have a
look and the build quality leaves something to be desired. Screwfix
changed it OK but I haven't got around to using the new one yet.

I bought Titan electric chainsaw this year that also failed on its
first outing, safety brake stopped working although I finished the job
with care, Screwfix changed that as well but I don't think I will be
buying Titan again.

In message , The Natural Philosopher
writes
Best I saw was a cordless electric. the battery pack sits on your
shoulders, and the actual cutter is light and well balanced. A LOT less
tiring then a petrol, and the hour or three of charge is more than
enough before its time to quit.

The small, lightweight device from Aldidl has served me very well. It
has a trouser-belt mounted battery and reasonable reach. I would buy one
again if I needed another, but only for a normal hedge.
We have a very deep hedge top (6, 7, 8 feet?) of holly and all sorts of
other tough and prickly things, and it doesn't quite reach without
straining off the ladder.

When he bought his Stihl, son came up and gave me his B & D battery one,
with a warning about the weight and leverage. It reaches, but I ended up
pouring so much sweat that SWMBO ordered me to stop and book a gardener.
Result all round.
--
Bill

On 07/08/13 01:12, bm wrote:
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
On 06/08/13 23:07, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.


Best I saw was a cordless electric. the battery pack sits on your
shoulders, and the actual cutter is light and well balanced. A LOT less
tiring then a petrol, and the hour or three of charge is more than enough
before its time to quit.

Bitch of a job cutting hedge tops.
3 hours TOPS. then do the sides with the petrol :-)
Which one was that?


well stihl do one but the backpack battery is nearly 700 quid. The
bloke did say 'the battery cost more than a lawnmower!'

(harry and electric cars, take note)

You can use a belt mounted battery for a lot less cutting time and money

http://www.rhino-power.co.uk/acatalo...ge_Cutter.html

there are others too.

--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 11:07:05 PM UTC+1, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels experience. TIA.

Poles are quite cheap for this sort of work, IMO, if there are any left in the UK.

On 07/08/2013 08:12, Tim Watts wrote:
On Wednesday 07 August 2013 02:20 John Rumm wrote in uk.d-i-y:

On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:

As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.

The cheaper option is normally a Ryobi...

Note of caution - the Ryobi hedge trimmer has plastic gears and I stripped
mine. Replacement gear nearly as much as a whole new unit. Not impressed!

The husq head is all metal gearing inside - although it was about £30
more than the ryobi own brand one.


--
Cheers,

John.

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

On 07/08/13 11:00, John Rumm wrote:
On 07/08/2013 08:12, Tim Watts wrote:
On Wednesday 07 August 2013 02:20 John Rumm wrote in uk.d-i-y:

On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:

As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.

The cheaper option is normally a Ryobi...

Note of caution - the Ryobi hedge trimmer has plastic gears and I
stripped
mine. Replacement gear nearly as much as a whole new unit. Not
impressed!

The husq head is all metal gearing inside - although it was about £30
more than the ryobi own brand one.


stihl are semi-pro stuff, but you pay..


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good


Kiam 5 in 1, trimmer, chain saw, bush cutter and strimmer. for under £200
you get up to 3.2 metres.

Not for heavy usage but good if you just need the occasional long reach.

Check their website (kiamproducts.co.uk), Ebay or amazon - also called
equip4 something or other.

--
Mark BR

On 07/08/2013 11:53, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 07/08/13 11:00, John Rumm wrote:
On 07/08/2013 08:12, Tim Watts wrote:
On Wednesday 07 August 2013 02:20 John Rumm wrote in uk.d-i-y:

On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:

As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.

The cheaper option is normally a Ryobi...

Note of caution - the Ryobi hedge trimmer has plastic gears and I
stripped
mine. Replacement gear nearly as much as a whole new unit. Not
impressed!

The husq head is all metal gearing inside - although it was about £30
more than the ryobi own brand one.


stihl are semi-pro stuff, but you pay..

No "semi" about most of the stihl kit - its ually up there with the best.

(to be fair, Husqvana stuff is also normally pretty good - in this case
its the ryobi driving it that mostly lets it down)


--
Cheers,

John.

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

In article om,
"bm" wrote:

As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.

I bought a Ryobi a year or so ago, at B&Q where it was reduced. It's
something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ryobi-RPT404.../dp/B006NYH67W
/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1375899985&sr=8-4&keywords=ryobi+pole+hedge+trimm
er

Unfortunately I wasn't put off by all the reviews on Amazon which say
"it's too heavy" and "all the weight is in the cutting head" etc.

It is: it's too heavy. I can use it, but I only use it for highly
specialized jobs. I reverted to a long ladder and the ordinary
hedgecutter soon after getting it.

If I won the lottery I'd buy a big Li-On battery powered job --- having
swung it around in the shop first.

John

On 07/08/2013 03:00, GMM wrote:
On 06/08/2013 23:07, bm wrote:
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.


Pretty un-exotic I know, but I bought a Titan from Screwfix last year
and it does the job for not too much dosh. Maybe 70 squids. Can't really
comment on reliability of course after a year but they have a long
warranty.

If it's the one I think it is, I've got one - and it's pretty dire!

The problem is that the motor is next to the cutters, at the end of the
pole. So you have to support a lot of overhung weight - which is very
tiring. There's a harness which is supposed to help - but I've never
managed to achieve a decent balance.

If I were starting again, I'd make sure that the motor was at the remote
end from the cutters - connected by a shaft - enabling me to support it
much nearer the centre of gravity.
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On Tue, 6 Aug 2013 23:01:22 +0000 (UTC),
(Andrew Gabriel) wrote:

In article om,
"bm" writes:

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good

Do you mean a long reach hedge trimmer?
I use a Stihl, which is very good, but they aren't cheap.
Dealing with Stihl is also a pain, because they won't let
their distributors do mail order on power tools.

I have been using a Stihl electric version for some years and find it
very good for our mixed hedging, conifers and taller shrubs.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/mrhba3e
--
rbel

In article ,
rbel writes:
On Tue, 6 Aug 2013 23:01:22 +0000 (UTC),
(Andrew Gabriel) wrote:

In article om,
"bm" writes:

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good

Do you mean a long reach hedge trimmer?
I use a Stihl, which is very good, but they aren't cheap.
Dealing with Stihl is also a pain, because they won't let
their distributors do mail order on power tools.

I have been using a Stihl electric version for some years and find it
very good for our mixed hedging, conifers and taller shrubs.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/mrhba3e

Mine's the 'K' suffix version of that - not quite as long,
as I didn't need the extra 40cm pole length, and I thought
a small extra length would make it harder work to use,
particularly from the top of a ladder in my case. They both
have the same 50cm long cutting head on them.

Compared with my standard electric B&D cutter, it's much
quieter, much less vibration, more powerful, and will
take larger branches. Definitely a professional tool.
Most places don't stock the electric ones, only the petrol
ones, but they can get it in from Stihl in a day or two.
Order a tube of their hedgecutter gearbox grease at the same
time - you need it every 25 hours of use.

Because I use it mainly for conifers, I make a point of
cleaning the blades with polymer solvent after each use.
Stihl do a cleaner for this, but no one had it, so I use
a generic Ambersil one from CPC. I also spray silicone
lubricant onto the blades before starting, and after
cleaning with the solvent before storage.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

rbel wrote in message ...
On Tue, 6 Aug 2013 23:01:22 +0000 (UTC),
(Andrew Gabriel) wrote:

In article om,
"bm" writes:

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good

Do you mean a long reach hedge trimmer?
I use a Stihl, which is very good, but they aren't cheap.
Dealing with Stihl is also a pain, because they won't let
their distributors do mail order on power tools.

I have been using a Stihl electric version for some years and find it
very good for our mixed hedging, conifers and taller shrubs.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/mrhba3e
--
rbel

£370 ???????????????
Thanks, but, include me out
£370 would be a useful starter towards tarmac on the whole friggin shooting
match

On Thu, 8 Aug 2013 01:15:00 +0100, "bm" wrote:


rbel wrote in message ...
On Tue, 6 Aug 2013 23:01:22 +0000 (UTC),
(Andrew Gabriel) wrote:

In article om,
"bm" writes:

"bm" wrote in message
eb.com...
As subject. I don't wanna break the bank but could use the panels
experience.
TIA.
A recommendation, even, would be good

Do you mean a long reach hedge trimmer?
I use a Stihl, which is very good, but they aren't cheap.
Dealing with Stihl is also a pain, because they won't let
their distributors do mail order on power tools.

I have been using a Stihl electric version for some years and find it
very good for our mixed hedging, conifers and taller shrubs.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/mrhba3e
--
rbel

£370 ???????????????
Thanks, but, include me out
£370 would be a useful starter towards tarmac on the whole friggin shooting
match

Mine was a bit less at £295 from our (excellent) local Stihl dealers
and, as Andrew has indicated, it is a good, reliable bit of kit as are
the other Stihl tools I have.
--
rbel

On 08/08/2013 11:50, rbel wrote:

Mine was a bit less at £295 from our (excellent) local Stihl dealers
and, as Andrew has indicated, it is a good, reliable bit of kit as are
the other Stihl tools I have.


Coming down to earth price-wise, there's the Bosch AMW-10. This has the
electric motor at the user end of the long handle, hopefully making it
reasonably balanced. Rather mixed reviews. Does anyone here have any
thoughts about it? Costs around £140, including the extra extension tube.