[wighty]

I think I am going to buy Paul a petrol strimmer for his birthday as we usually have to hire one to keep the brambles etc down on our plot.  Any ideas for a good make? Remember I can buy trade so no B & Q type makes.

[The Herbs]

I bought one of these....

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=150055

Certainly helped clear our overgrown 1/4 acre....

And there are all sorts of other attachments you can get for it...

Andy

[Gwiz]

They're all pretty reliable these days, Wighty.
There are two basic types. One type has a bent shaft, and is meant as a grass trimmer only, the other has a straight shaft, and can be used for heavier work ( clearing brambles ) using a blade on the end. The bent shaft strimmer has a flexable drive cable, which can become damaged if a blade is used instead of the nylon line head. The straight shaft models have a solid steel drive rod which will take far more punishment!
Stihl do a very good little machine, likewise Echo.

[wighty]

Oh good.  I can get the Stihl one through Toolbank (Curtis Holt).  Next day delivery so will arrange it for a day when Paul is not at Shanklin and I can sneak it in.  He never sees Shanklin's paperwork so I should be well covered.

[celjaci]

I'd go with Stihl also - reliable and professional.

I'd also go for 'cow horn' handles rather than 'D' handle - much easier to control and less tiring to use.

[wighty]

I actually knew what you meant by the handles. For a girl I think that's rather good.  Had great fun today with the power washer, done both greenhouses inside and out.  One of the few 'power tools' a female can manage! (Had to ask for help to move it around though as it is a bit heavy).

[Rangerkris]

My farther inlaw has the sthil FS80 its the smallest of the handled strimmers we got him for his garden, its a great little peice of kit even tho much smaller than what we use at work we use the sthil fs 480k's and they go for ever with good maintence. 

If you can get one for a good price it will last forever i would think you can get bits at any good tool hire store.  The fs 80 will take the blade but i would not give it that much pressure as you can tell its not got the power to do this really. use it as a strimmer and there great.

[waddecar]

I agree with what has been said on handles, however the adjustment range on some makes is less than one might expect, so take your hubby fopr a "fitting" rather than surprising him.

If it is to be used for long periods then viration is an issue. Myself I much prefer 4 stroke machines, Honda make some really good ones.