Northern weather

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The fine print......

[healey36]

Getting windy and cooler..

Finally; good sleeping weather.

Another inch-and-a-half of rain Sunday into Monday. I’m hoping the swathes of distressed lawn recover a bit. I hate to think I’ll be raking/reseeding.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Getting windy and cooler..

Finally; good sleeping weather.

Another inch-and-a-half of rain Sunday into Monday. I’m hoping the swathes of distressed lawn recover a bit. I hate to think I’ll be raking/reseeding.

I hate to think about mowing yet again.........

[Rufus T. Firefly]

A tank of gas in the chainsaw doesn't go as far as I used to go.......fortunately for me!

[healey36]

I've been using an electric chainsaw (corded) of late. It works well, although it seems to go through lubricating oil rather quickly.

[robert.]

Electric is the best way too go for a homeowner. It always works when you plug it in. Even if it sat for 18 months.no stale gas or gummed up carb. I have a Husky ( cant spell their real name if a tried) . It never starts right up after sitting . awhile. They tell me it’s a throw away model. Use it for one storm damage cleanup and toss it.F$&king carb is held together with rivets. You can’t service it. Today’s gas turns to sugar and blocks small jets. Even the weed whacker can’t handle this camel per.

[healey36]

Yup, gave up on small petrol engines a long time ago. They don't hold up when you're adding pancake syrup to the gasoline. I must have had a half-dozen dead weed-whackers in the garage; no amount of Stabil, SeaFoam, StarTron, etc. saves them (at least in my experience). Put them out at the end of the drive with a "Free - None Run" sign on them and some guys stopped and took them, maybe for parts.

Must admit, I have a different problem with rechargeables. The batteries charging capability seems to decline rather rapidly.

Nope, corded is the way to go, at least around here.

[up148]

Battery technology has advance so far, that almost every tool I own and everything I use repeatedly, is battery powered. Gas powered pressure washer (hardly ever use) and some corded grinders, big drills and saws, but everything else battery.

[healey36]

Maybe I should try something new, then. I have a box full of old rechargeable hand-drills that are all shot. Even bought replacement packs for a couple of them, and those expired too.

[robert.]

I’m with you when it comes to a cord. 99 percent of my stuff had cords. I’m not working on a job site without electricity. Plus corded tools are priced better.

[Mitch]

25 years ago or more, bought a 14.4 drill at Sears, $69.95. Came in a case with 2 batteries and chargers. In a few years, the batteries wouldn't recharge. They wanted $74 for one new battery, so I bought another 14.4 drill, (different manufacturer) at Sears for $69.95, but within a few years both batteries were shot. I was making the mistake of using the drill part way, and then recharging. Those batteries have memory, so then it only remembered from full to halfway, and then it was done. The trick was to pull the guts clear out of the battery 'til dead, then recharge. Since 1 new battery costs more than the entire outfit, it's time to change drills.
Todays batteries are lithium ion, can be fully recharged in an hour or less, and you can use them 'til they quit. I have a drill and an electric 1/4" drive electric ratchet, (love it) and a special flashlight that all use the same ion batteries. Son bought a big 1/2" drive 20V impact wrench that's really awesome but it weighs a ton. You can take these things right to PICK A PART and get whatever car part you need and it sure beats air tools.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Must admit, I have a different problem with rechargeables. The batteries charging capability seems to decline rather rapidly.

Mower, weed wacker, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower are all battery powered here -- been that way now more than 5 years with the same batteries.

But, I'm not ready to give up my gas powered Stihl chain saw just yet. I can see a smaller one battery powered for light work being a standard; maybe if I every have to replace the rest of the yard tools and I can get a chain saw with everything on the same batteries...

[E7]

If you are going to use gasoline as fuel, you better have some Sta-bil on hand or you will eventually have to clean out snotty globs of stale gas. The newer Lithium ion batteries do not footprint like the old nicads. If you stay with the same brand of tools you can run everything on the same type battery pack. I cut more wood than Paul Bunyan on my last job and mixed a lot of fuel, wore out a lot of chains and even a bar. That, even with the chain oiler. I am waiting for the cold fusion model.

[Mitch]

I learned long ago with any 2 stroke motor (such as gas chainsaws), to run the motor completely out of gas. Even on my fishin' boat, (4 cylinder Mercury outboard), when I'm comin' back to the launch, I pull the fuel line off the motor and it'll run for 2 or 3 more minutes, emptying the fuel bowls of the carbs completely. For the last 8 years since I put it back on water, I use StarTron in the gas. Same for my chainsaws, lawn mower, leaf blower, snow blower and garden tractor. Alcohol in the gas attracts water, which will coat the carb bowl and the jet(s) with a white slime that will build up and cause starting, idling, and full throttle problems. StarTron is relatively inexpensive and only takes a small amount to be effective, and you really can't overdo it unless you double or triple the amount. Continued use will clean everything fuel related including reed valves, but there is nothing you can do about fuel lines. They will eventually break down from alcohol and fine granules will make their way into and through the fuel system. Ever wonder why your primer bulb rotted out so quickly? Alcohol!

[Mitch]

Big change in the weather today, the last day of summer. Low 60s and breezy and headin' for 42 degrees tonight. I'm goin' fishin' in the morning and expect it to be a bit cooler on the river. Even though my son changed the color of the nectar in the hummin' bird feeder, I haven't seen one in at least 10 days, and we had 4 regular visitors all summer. I think they may have packed their bags and flew the coop. I love the fall, but I hate to see what's comin'. After payin' July's and August's electric bills, (the highest we've ever had by nearly 40%, and we don't even have central air), I'll be afraid to see those gas bills comin' when we need the boiler.