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Posted by punpun (U14553477) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
Ive just been doing a bit of fork work in the border and although ive a few forks i like one i was given years ago for a christmas gift by the wife,
It's a stainless steel one with a "D" shape handle and it feels just right when using it.
To help keep it in good shape i have a cut down 45 gal drum filled with sand and oil mix, when i finish the days gardening i push the fork / SPADE ETC into the sand/oil mix and hey presto the tools are clean and ready for the next gardening task and clean.
Question.
Whats your favourit tool and do you have any tips ref tools??
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by martingodliman (U13761957) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
I've got hoe I like I found in a ramshackle out building on my father in law's broken down failing small holding, it's the kind you pull towards you. What I like about it is the blade has one of it's corner much more worn and rounded on one side worn down from heavy use (not from my father in law !! he bred pigs)
I like to think of that person as I cut weeds, it will never wear noticeably further in my hands !!!
, in reply to message 2.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
As we use the discarded coffee cups with a hole burnt in the base to raise seeds/seedlings, I've made a cutter (like a daff' planter) that cuts a hole exactly the size and shape of a coffee cup. Saves time and root disturbance. Cheers, Tony
, in reply to message 3.
Posted by Global_Worming (U14532104) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
My 1976 5HP Briggs&Stratton Merry Tiller rotovator called Doris, I love Doris, I serviced Doris when I bought her and she throbbed sweetly at the first pull, then turned the hard sod into fertile soil.
I will service Doris again in Novenber.
Lucky old Doris !!!!
My favourite is my Wollf Garden multi change tool. I bought it many years ago and it is still going strong.
It takes up so little space and I find it a more practical than buying all different tools.
Leaving the subject of Doris for a moment, some things are best left unexplored further, and returning to favourite tools - I have 2, an old onion hoe which gets into most places between plants for - well, hoeing! - and my beloved Felco secateures which were a Christmas gift a few years ago and are doubtless the best ever.
I suppose various tools have a 'favourite' period in the year, depending which jobs need doing, but these 2 rarely leave my side for most of the outside stuff.
I have a fork and spade that I bought in Robert Dyas 12 years ago. They were on special offer at £5 each and are just the right size for me. I have used them to dig up half the garden (which was previously laid to lawn) and they are still as good as new. It just goes to show that you don't need to spend a fortune on tools.
Hi Koala,
your right ref not needing to spend a fortune on tools,
If there is one thing i make sure i do every winter "it's service all my tools and machines"
The hand tools with wooden handels are all painted with lindseed oil and left upside down for a few days so the oil soaks into the shafts,
The machine side of the tools are all 100% cleaned and oil changed and filter cleaned or changed, and sparking plugs cleaned or changed,
battery's put on trickle charge, and blades given a sharpend edge.
It's as rare as chicken teeth if i ever have any staring or running problems and most of my tools ive had for years.
The only problems ive had is when ive loaned tools to people, (i dont do that now)
Tip.
It's a really good idea to paint the top of your tool grip a bright colour "such as orange" and this way thet stand out should you leave them in the bedding area etc.
, in reply to message 9.
Posted by Summerchild (U14187397) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
You are right about trying to find stuff left lying about, punpun. My OH who was vision- impaired put bright orange tape around the handles of all his tools. He also looked after them properly as you do.
I love my stainless steel spade because all I have to do is rub it on the grass before putting it away. ("Lazy woman" I hear you say.)
S
, in reply to message 10.
Posted by koala_girl (U12702629) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
I have lost any number of green handled seceteurs by accidentally chucking them in the compost bin. I now check that they are definitely in the shed when I lock up each night. I sometimes wonder if it would be easier if I tied them to string threaded through my sleaves like you do with children's gloves.
, in reply to message 11.
Posted by Summerchild (U14187397) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
OOh KG I have seen children twirling their mittens around on the strings.
S
, in reply to message 12.
Posted by mummyduckegg (U8437139) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
My border fork which I bought for about £4 from a junk shop. Looks like a bakelite handle, but very strong and I will be devastated when it finally breaks.
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by 4smilingcat6 (U14338727) on Thursday, 12th August 2010
Since stainless steel I have forgotten those awful days of the early 60`s when we had `gardening` at Primary school.
More like slave labour-we did learn about oily sack cloth and cleaning the toools though.
Hard to say what is my favourite but I still get a `boy?` (I`m 57 in a couple of months)thrill when I get out my petrol shredder.
I love the smell of shredded cabbage stalks in the morning
, in reply to message 14.
Posted by Global_Worming (U14532104) on Thursday, 12th August 2010
is it a two stroke or four catters?
, in reply to message 15.
Posted by mummyduckegg (U8437139) on Thursday, 12th August 2010
Hmm you should have seen my OH sniffing some newly bought, greased drill bits. He was in ecstasy!
is it a two stroke or four catters?
Four-a big old Viking,17 years old now and still working well.
This is the modern equivalent
Hi 4,smilingcat6,
Ive been thinking for ages now about getting hold of a shredder as im taking the off cut s to the local landfill and really speaking i could use the chippings for weed control and as a mulch,
You've got me washing the dishes and hanging washing out now "well start early for the christmas hint list ???"
Hi 4,smilingcat6,
Ive been thinking for ages now about getting hold of a shredder as im taking the off cut s to the local landfill and really speaking i could use the chippings for weed control and as a mulch,
You've got me washing the dishes and hanging washing out now "well start early for the christmas hint list ???"
, in reply to message 19.
Posted by Global_Worming (U14532104) on Friday, 13th August 2010
Catters mate, I have a viking lawn mower, viking are part of Stihl, the produce quality machines some powered by Briggs and Stratton, I dont have a chipper but I might invest in one if I have to dispose of the current Mrs Worming
My favorites depend on the time of year, currently it's a pair of telescopic hedge loppers great for cutting back the hedge and trimming high shrubs growing over the fence from next door.
I also like my lawn edger, after mowing the lawn it just gives it the finishing touch.
My favorite tools depend on the time of year, currently it's a lawn edger, after mowing the lawn it just gives it the finishing touch, and a pair of telescopic hedge loppers great for cutting back the hedge and trimming high shrubs growing over the fence from next door.
Sorry for posting twice, my server keeps coming up busy and not acknowledging a posting, anyone else having similar problems...
Yes, I think it was either a horrid day in some areas so everyone was on line, or half the server packed its bucket and spade andwent on holiday. It won't improve in the near future 'cos the other half is jealous and will need to go further away and for longer to show the first half it's better!! Oh dear, think I've been indoors too long - but it is still too wet and yucky to be out there.
Agree about the tool of the season being the favourite, just now I would be happy to have any in my hands that I could get outside and actually use...........
I had the same problem yesterday and it was annoying but I got things posted ok then gave up to it and went out gardening.
Mine used to be my spade & fork, now it's my Mantis Tiller.
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