power rake vs. manual rake

this

True, it all depends on what you need to do.

I first wanted to establish that they both CAN do the same thing.

I'm looking at overseeding a 10'x5' area of grass and the idea of renting a power rake seemed like a waste of money - especially when I can simply accomplish the same thing with a metal rake. A 50 sq ft plot of land isn't going to kill me, but hauling around that power rake might. I don't need to rake the rest of my yard, its fine.

I don't suppose they sell sharpened version of a rake that can break up the top layer of dirt without destroying the grass - I guess they do, a thatcher.

If you break up the earth that's called "seeding", not overseeding.

Well I guess that's one way to interpret that, however the manufacturer of the seeds doesn't follow your definition. In either case break up the top layer of soil is what I did.

As for a power rake, it would indeed have made the job easier, but I just went ahead and raked the grass manually after work. I think if I had to do a 1/4 acre or more, I rent a power rake, otherwise its just as efficient to use a manual rake for that task - either way you still have to collect and dispose of the material brought to the surface by the rake.