When it comes to home improvement, you need information you can trust. Inside each issue of The Family Handyman, you’ll find see-and-solve expert repair techniques, a variety of projects for every room and step-by-step, do-it-yourself photos.
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com NEXT-GENERATION ROBOTIC MOWER Battery-powered robotic mowers have been around for a while, but Husqvarna has a new one called the Automower. I recently had a chance to try it out and it worked great. The guide wire that runs around the perimeter of my yard was held down with stakes, so no trenching was necessary, and programming was simple. The whole setup took less than 90 minutes. After that, all I had to do was remember to look out the window once in a while so I could admire my mechanical groundskeeper hard at work. The primary feature that makes this machine excel is the retractable, razorlike cutting blades. They’re just a fraction of the size of thick steel blades, which results in clean cuts, longer runtimes and super-quiet…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Cordless yard tools have always been far more convenient than corded or gas models. But early models didn’t always deliver on performance. Some weren’t powerful enough to cut heavy growth, and many times the batteries ran out of power before the job was done. That’s changing. The latest generation of 40-, 58- and even 80-volt lithium batteries is more powerful and runs longer. The tools are more robust, too, so they can do the work of gas-powered tools. If you were disappointed by lower-voltage tools in the past, it may be time to consider today’s higher-voltage models. And even if you love your old 18-volt model (we know millions of you do!), read on to find out what more power could do for you. CAN THEY REPLACE GAS AND…
Cordless yard tools with voltage ratings of 40 or more are definitely powerful enough for most jobs. But there’s no getting around the fact that battery run-time is still the limiting factor. When you’re deciding whether a cordless electric yard tool could replace your gas or corded electric tool, consider two things: 1. How much run-time do you need? Time how long it takes you to do the job with your current machine. Then shop for a tool that has sufficient run-time. If you need more run-time, you can always buy a second battery ($140 to $210, depending on the voltage and brand). Or you can take a break and let the battery recharge (sometimes in as few as 30 minutes). 2. Does your yard get out of control? Be…
• Buy batteries cheaper. Wait for a sale. Home centers and hardware stores typically put cordless electric tools and replacement batteries on sale for Father’s Day, Black Friday and Christmas. Sometimes the cheapest way to buy an additional battery is to buy a battery/tool combo on sale. • Store and charge the battery indoors. High heat (in your garage or car) and freezing temperatures dramatically reduce the life of the battery. And, charging the battery in high heat conditions or in direct sunlight also greatly reduces battery life and increases charging time. • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding charging. Some want you to store the battery on a powered charger when it’s not in use. Others specifically state that you must remove the battery from the charger as soon as…
Start at the store Visit a home center, garden center, hardware store or dealer and get recommendations based on your lot size and configuration. Pick up the machines and compare the weight and balance (with the battery in place). Then check out other brands at other stores and online. Compare run-times, but beware … Some tools have adjustable power settings. And as you’d expect, the battery’s run-time depends on the setting. So when you compare the runtimes given by manufacturers, make sure you know which power setting they used. Some manufacturers list two run-times based on high and low settings. Other manufacturers list a single run-time, and it’s often based on the low power setting. If you don’t know which power setting the manufacturer used, you might be disappointed. A…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Gas-powered leaf blowers save a lot of time on fall cleanup. They’re great for small jobs too, like blowing debris off your driveway or out of your garage. However, choosing a gas leaf blower isn’t as easy as using one. You’ll find lots of makes and models and enough air movement specs to fill a spreadsheet. We corralled models from major brands and handed them out to our editors to test during peak leaf-blowing season. Based on our research and field use, we came up with some solid buying advice and our picks for Editors’ Choice awards. If you’re thinking about buying a leaf blower, this is your guide. IS A GAS MODEL FOR YOU? Each of the three types of leaf blowers has pros and cons: Corded electric…
