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Tulsa_Fireman
9/6/2010, 01:41 PM
With tears of sadness, the rotten fuel lines on my 12+ year old Ryobi remanufactured weedeater have officially put it out of service.

In classic handyman form, your friendly neighborhood fireman gets new fuel line, replaces said fuel line, but because of whatever reason, said fuel line where it enters the tank for the primer vent is leaking around the base. With no barb connector, any pressure on the tank squirts fuel around the edges and onto the head. It is an explosion of Independence Day proportions waiting to happen and with me being fresh out of the ever-faithful JB Weld, I decided on the next best thing, Super Glue.

As I'm liberally applying it to the base of the tank, four glued fingers later, it dawns on me that odds are, the Super Glue fix is worse than the previous solution as odds are that glue will gnaw straight through the fuel lines and tank. And I was right. Now it PUKES fuel like a wino on a week long bender, leaving me weedeater-less and mad, on an amazingly tight budget, and in need of a new machine.

So what say you, South Oval? Keep in mind all extraneous income (and then some) is still being funneled straight into the wedding fund. New tank and even more hoses for my still strong but old work horse? New trimmer? If so, recommended brands for under $150 that aren't complete trash? I've had awesome luck with the one I have, but have talked to others who were lucky to get a single season out of a Ryobi, let alone a remanufactured one.

I share my dillema with you, Ovarians. Thoughts?

Lott's Bandana
9/6/2010, 01:46 PM
Describe your Kingdom.

Lichtenstein or Russia?

I have a B&D cordless that works like a champ on my suburban lot, but any acreage would render it puny.

Tulsa_Fireman
9/6/2010, 01:48 PM
Swaziland at best, but pulling double duty as an edger.

And as I forgot to add, gas only.

I will NOT be tied down by The Man!

Lott's Bandana
9/6/2010, 01:51 PM
Mine does a decent job at edging and I purchased two 18v batteries so I don't get shut down, nor am I beholden to the grid, except for charging.

However, gas has its place and it seems that place is west of Tulsa...good luck.

bluedogok
9/6/2010, 02:41 PM
My Echo has worked pretty well, it sits during the winter without "proper maintenance" and a little squirt of starting fluid and a few cranks it fires up and has fired up regularly since. I got it at Home Depot one weekend a few years back when the old electric one gave out.

badger
9/6/2010, 03:02 PM
I have a single 18v battery one from Sears. It sucks, but gets the job done. The bolt came out on the handle, so I build my puny girlie muscles every time I have to hold that thing up with its loose handle.

Okla-homey
9/6/2010, 03:06 PM
I've been using on of those B&D "Grasshogs" for over five years. Rechargeable power pack. When I bought it, I had a half-acre lot and lots of trimming. I had two battery packs so I was never caught dead mid task. Now, with my puny suburban lot, one battery pack is plenty.

Oh, and the business end rotates 90 degree to make it an edger too.

Your mileage may vary.

olevetonahill
9/6/2010, 03:18 PM
http://epflies.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/1/-/1-MINUTE-EPOXY_1.jpg

unbiasedtruth
9/6/2010, 11:31 PM
build a hose clamp from a small piece of copper wire and tighten with a pair of pliers.....

Leroy Lizard
9/6/2010, 11:35 PM
But then it wouldn't be all-original.

TUSooner
9/8/2010, 02:47 PM
This Spring, I replaced my old one from Sears with a Troy-Bilt. It's more than I need for my little patch. And it's kinda heavy, or rather, not perfectly balanced. But the head pivots for edging, and it really rawks - it cuts everything with ease and in a hurry.

Mississippi Sooner
9/8/2010, 02:52 PM
Round-Up. You're done in minutes, and you don't have to worry about it for a few weeks. :pop:

pilobolus
9/8/2010, 03:03 PM
Cordless is the way to go.

Partial Qualifier
9/8/2010, 03:17 PM
I have one of these Bolens jobbies:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_318252-65481-BL160_4294857347_44?productId=3142545&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_String%2BTrimmers_4294857347_44_?rpp=15$No=15$N s=p_product_price|0

I winced when my wife brought it home (it's not what I would've picked out) but I have to say: it's been good for 2 years now. No major complaints. Under $100.

C&CDean
9/8/2010, 04:48 PM
I only purchase Stihl equipment. Get a straight shaft. I have Stihl edgers, weedies, blowers, chainsaws, etc. The Echo is also a good trimmer. If you've got a postage-stamp sized yard then buy one of the POS mentioned above. If you've got some serious work to do, buy a Stihl.

boomersooner28
9/8/2010, 05:13 PM
Agreed. Stihl. Thats all I own and all I will ever own.


The end.

royalfan5
9/8/2010, 06:57 PM
A sharp machete should be sufficient and cheaper.

StoopTroup
9/8/2010, 07:29 PM
1422 sealant.

http://images.lasaero.com/catalogue/images/PR1422-SEMKIT.JPG

StoopTroup
9/8/2010, 07:32 PM
$8.95
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/al13064.php

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/graphics/09-02544.jpg

Fuel Tank Sealant “Single Phase” (one-part) A long lasting, permanently flexible “Single Phase” Polysulfide Sealant. Tack-free in 1 to 3 days, excellent resistance to oils, gasoline and diesel fuel Ideal for fuel tanks; cures to a firm flexible rubber seal with excellent adhesion qualities, can also be sanded and painted.

StoopTroup
9/8/2010, 07:33 PM
If you look around....you can find something.

VeeJay
9/8/2010, 07:44 PM
http://www.tease2please.co.uk/images/products/2337.jpg

Wait.....

StoopTroup
9/8/2010, 07:45 PM
I'd be stihl too if she started moving around. No reason to get hurt.