Thanks - I was thinking more about the cleaning out/clogging etc each time it’s used?
1 Like
I didn’t notice much debris in mine from use over an hour yesterday and they are small enough for this job to be no more than a few minutes.
But it is essential to check that the ‘sawdust’ doesn’t clog up the chain.
If mine lays on either of its sides for 6 months, there’s quite a lot of oil leakage. Hard to quantify, but 3-4" square puddle. I AI’d it a while back it it came back with things like it’s normal because of short feed pipe to chain, lower tolerances bacause handy tool and not pro. It’s not the filler cap, because I stored it once with the cap at the top.
1 Like
I’m doing my acer hedge at the front side of my house. 35 metres and at some points 5 metres high. I’ve done 1/3 and I’m exhausted already.
2 Likes
For an amateur using it for 20 mins for a few times a year, you’ll not need to touch the chain. It’s doesn’t blunt unless you hit wire mesh or get soil in it.
On this particular Makita DUC150Z it is self-tensioning, which you need to keep an eye on. Just release the bolt and then retighten. It can get a bit of gunk/twigs lodged in under the sheild chain area, but because it’s small, it’s easy and fast to clean. Use a good chain lube. I use Husqvarna, but Stihl or Oregon are going to be just as good.
You probably won’t realise just how useful it is until you buy one. I end up doing so many jobs whilst it’s in my hand that I wouldn’t normally do, then take a step back a see the garden is much tidier. Kiss the Makita and put it away. Probably best to take the battery out before kissing.
Here’s today’s photo of a tree I pruned 3 months ago with the Makita. Opening the centre and thinning.
Some of these branches are 4" thick and can’t be done with loppers. Took me about 20-30 mins, effortless and safe. A few years ago I did it with my larger 2 x battery 12" Makita. This is still very good, but you can’t stretch/reach across with it and it is still heavy. Also, when (not if) a branch does decide to fall unplanned on us useless amateurs, you have this big heavy chainsaw to deal with. Before this, I used to do it with a saw and that was a pain. Cutting one branch in an awkward postion standing on thin forking branches is exhausting and slow.
2 Likes
Black Moon tomatoes doing good. Got two sets per plant and the rest are flowers. Not bad for outside. I’m further ahead than last year.
3 Likes
Thanks again - the Makita does look like a good option. I remember getting a small hand held battery trimmer that I use on the heathers and realised I should have bought one a long time ago. Good advice re batteries!
I’m about to give up on fruit and veg this year.
Dire early May weather, then late May heatwave and now over a week of rain and wind have teaken their toll on virtually everything I’d plante or bought.
Slugs have been feasting on unplanted flowers this week. Pretty demoralising.
1 Like
It’s only the beginning of June. Loads of time and never, ever give up on anything.
With gardening, Feb was the crunch time. This was the important time to get out in the cold, miserable weather and do the prep. Ordering seeds, thinking ahead, sowing, weeding, spraying, lots of jobs to do whilst everyone else is sat in front of a tele or in a pub. That’s what they do all year. Get the prep in and summer is so much more rewarding and better.
Gardening is an intensely cognitive activity that actively builds and preserves brain health. While it’s a relaxing hobby, successfully managing a garden requires a sophisticated mix of planning, problem solving and continuous learning. To keep a single bed alive, a gardener must act as a part-time meteorologist, soil chemist, and entomologist. You are constantly calculating microclimates, adjusting soil pH, identifying beneficial insects, and studying the complex biological needs of different species. It is a continuous feedback loop of trial, error, and intellect.
4 Likes
Despite best intentions I always seem to slip on doing things early.
Just starting to feel this year I may give things a break as I’ve got a hectic month or two ahead on other fronts. Realistically may just go for the ‘low hanging fruit’ which don’t take much effort.
2 Likes
I always find Dwarf French Beans in pots are ultra easy , and ultra quick
best wishes
Ian
1 Like
I grow them instead of runner beans as they require less water. I find in the warmer summers we now experience runners go over very quickly.
2 Likes
Yesterday , I went to the village Open Gardens . Here are some pictures
In the end my knees started to really hurt and I came home .
Taken on Canon R50 with 35 mm Canon macro
11 Likes
I have the Makita handheld 150mm chain and the 12 inch double battery saw. I had a lot to get through last year (even more this year when I get around to it!) and I found that the chains can wear quite quickly if you encounter more dense wood. Unfortunately I am handless when it comes to sharpening - when my nephew was here with his petrol powered kit, as mentioned above, he was forever stopping to ensure the chains were sharp. A skill set I’ll maybe acquire but in the meantime, the chains are relatively cheap to purchase and, rather than dispose of the blunt chains, I hold them and eventually take them to the guys who service the lawnmowers etc who sharpen them for little cost.
The little handheld saw is a real game changer for folks like me and I am sure the Makita was recommended to me on here back in the day.
Peter
1 Like
8 Likes
Yes, there is a willow tree in the adjoining property that has a seriously overhang on my property.
Early today a prospective purchaser came round with a property surveyor , he was concerned that the roots may be spreading - whoops .
If I move to a flat I can let someone else be concerned
1 Like
Insurers usually have issues with trees within a specified distance of your property, for root damage issues as well as the more obvious one of it falling through your roof, so it’s certainly something to be aware of.
1 Like