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Power Multitool Advice

Ben WainBen Wain Posts: 26
in Tools and techniques
Hi there,

  I was hoping for some advice: Ebay seem to list a power multitool; a strimmer, hedge trimmer and pole saw, all in one, for around £100.

It sounds ideal as need each of these tools, but I wonder if there is a particular one that is best to go for, or are these best avoided altogether?

If you have experience with one of these I'd really apprecite some guidance here.

Thanks

Posts

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Is it corded or battery-powered? If the latter, consider the weight of the whole unit, the weight of thr battery, how long it holds it’s charge between use and the stated battery life when fully charged, if the price stated includes the battery and charger. For either, consider the weight and length of the tool and if it is comfortable to use.

    Think about the availability of spare parts, spare batteries (if applicable) and whether you can buy other attachments you may suddenly decide you need.

    You don’t say what brand. I have tried several and my current one is Ego. The Ego has the options of pole saw, brush cutter, hedge trimmer, strimmer and lawn edger. The battery charger is super fast, it holds its charged power for weeks, battery life is excellent, the harness/back-pack option for the battery is great if doing large areas as it reduces arm fatigue. The battery also fits the easy and light chainsaw, subsequently purchased, and a lawnmower. Best system I have ever bought, but it’s a big investment and if you only have the occasional need for it, probably too expensive. If you have a large garden and will be using it and the various multi-tools a lot, like I do, may be worth considering.

    At the other end of the scale, my little Lidl strimmer was cheap as chips and is great for whipping out to do a quick tidy up. Much better than the black and decker and ryobi ones I’ve had in the past. Not a multi-tool, but worth checking out the supers and local diy stores. If you can try before you buy, even better.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Ben WainBen Wain Posts: 26
    Thanks @Nollie this is really helpful. I would be using the strimmer regularly, the other features like the hedge cutter about twice anually, so not much.

    The ones listed with brands were mainly Hyundai and Titan at £100-£130: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311.R1.TR10.TRC1.A0.H0.Xstrimmer+hedge.TRS0&_nkw=strimmer+hedge+trimmer+multi+tool&_sacat=0
  • jenny794jenny794 Posts: 30
    I think if you buy that cheap you will regret it. They won't work well or last long. Most of the cost is int eh battery and charging unit so if you buy a quality system that uses one battery and charger you can then buy head units as you need them. Head units can be drills, chainsaws, sanders, saws.........

    I currently use the Makita system. It has worked seamlessly for years and we have given some heavy use. All the head units have been really good and we haven't had to replace anything. 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I don’t have any personal experience of those brands, so can’t comment there, I am afraid. I note they are mainly petrol-powered. I must say, petrol-powered tools, as well as being environmentally unfriendly, are usually heavier to wield, need regular servicing/part replacement, can be a PITA to start and subject you to fumes and vibration during use. I am a complete convert to the lighter, cleaner, easier to use and maintain battery tools these days...

    While you can get away with, for example, a cheap strimmer, I would be very cautious about a cheap pole saw, which is essentially a chainsaw on a stick, designed to be used overhead (with the correct safety gear). A cheap one that jams, the chain loosens etc., could be dangerous.

    The Ego set-up does sound OTT/too expensive for your needs.

    I haven’t used a Makita garden multi-tool but can attest to the quality and reliability of their battery-powered construction/power tools, so I can second Jenny’s recommendation on that basis.

    I do think the first step is to get yourself along to your local garden supplier/DIY superstore and try waving a few different ones about to see how they feel in your hands and to judge the weight, balance and length of various tools. A good ‘fit’ is important and like strolling around in a comfortable pair of old trainers. A bad fit is like dragging your feet in ill-fitting heavy boots while trying to do ballet exercises...
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • glasgowdanglasgowdan Posts: 632
    I wouldn't buy that, even for occasional use at home. Pole trimmers can be pricey, but it's worth having something that works well as it'll save you time and effort. 

    I'm goimg to say stick.to petrol... you get more power and arguably better quality gor your money without a big chunk of the price going on batteries. And battery tools are pretty poor for the environment too! 
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I've got a petrol multi-tool and it's been a nightmare.  It was great in the first year, but almost impossible to start after that.  It's been stuck away in the shed ever since.  I've recently bought Ryobi cordless strimmer and hedge trimmers which share a common battery and have been happy with those so far.  The battery could do with being more powerful for use in the hedge trimmer but as I have 2 batteries, it's not too much of a chore to swap them when one starts to fade.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Being a five foot nothing female with back problems - I have definitely moved towards the lighter cordless tools. I use Stihl equipment which is excellent quality. 

    Apart from noise and weight issues I find petrol machines a lot less convenient to use. You can't leave fuel in machines you don't use for months at a time (leaf blowers, chainsaws etc) because it goes off - so you either have to pump it out or burn it off and I can't be done with all the mixing up 2-stroke stuff just for the 15 minutes it takes to cut a 5m hedge. Petrol tools usually need servicing too.

    I need a decent heavy duty lawnmower so use a Honda petrol rotary - which is great.

    But hedge trimmers, chainsaw, strimmer - they're all cordless - but I would only use a reliable 'known' brand.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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