I was inspired to write this article, after reading a comment BTL in FSB by Pete Sutton. Pete was asking why as autumn appears do people use leaf blowers, rather than raking?
A valid question, which I am unable to answer, as I only have a leaf sucker! Not wishing to get all smutty about blowing being a misnomer, i.e. IT is more suck that blow. I have a Bosch leaf sucker, bought after doing the usual research via reviews, both professional and by those that have (theoretically) bought said items.
Now it is worth pointing out that many years ago, I happened to have a conversation with a German on holiday who worked for Bosch. He was a very nice chap, odd that I have only met nice Germans. On saying all my electrical tools were Bosch, he said they were all once German made, but they are now made in China. Not that Made in China put me off, as I think most tools are nowadays.
Does anyone else get hooked on these reviews when purchasing or booking accommodation? We always look at reviews when on sites such as Booking.com and are always drawn to the 1-star ratings. It’s great hearing what fellow whingers whinge about: Surly receptionist, pube in the shower etc, etc.
I did all that research, and I hate that leaf sucker! Mainly as it has two speeds and the thumb wheel to change speeds sits near, would you believe, where your thumb is. Obviously, I have it on the fast speed, but I keep catching the thumb wheel and reducing the speed. I have considered taping it over, but that would be painful when I wish to decrease that speed.
NB. I have a habit of sucking up all my smaller pieces of slate chippings
Now, the irony is, that last year I bought a replacement from that supplier of quality tools: Lidl. The Middle of Lidl is indeed a DIYers wet dream. It was not a Bosch but made by that other well-known quality producer: Parkside. It was also on offer, all excited, I got it home, and assembled it, switched it on, and thought this a really good bit of kit. I then discovered that this combined sucker/blower also had a thumb wheel for speed adjustment, which happened to be seized! And I dare not force it, so it had to go back, and they had no more in stock!
This year, they are again for sale in Lidl, I did get as far as placing it in the trolley. But after a conversation it came out again. So, it looks like it’s raking for me. Evidently, it is good exercise.
It is ironic that of all the electrical tools in my shed that I have recently tried, all have failed to work, my shredder trips the breaker, and my electrical chainsaw (also Parkside) has given up the ghost, yet my bloody leaf sucker keeps going.
Warning: I think my failed chainsaw may had done me a favour. I do shrub clearing at a local woodland, the Team Leader (one of two trained to use chainsaws) caught her protective trousers, and they certainly worked in saving her leg from getting badly cut.
Talking to one of the fellow volunteers: his wife used one to trim a few branches, fell while using it, and lost a leg. My neighbour’s tree surgeon died when a chainsaw he was using kicked back and cut his throat.
Somehow an annoying thumbwheel no longer seems such a big deal.
No, let’s just focus on that annoying twisted cable. Has braiding now replaced the figure of 8?