Hi people,
Just thought I would pass this on. I have a lot of gnarly shrub-size weeds here called Russian Thistle or more commonly known as Tumbleweeds. Some up to 3' high with stems up to 1/2" diam. Once beyond about 3" tall, there is NO poison to touch them. Ask me how I know sometime.
The Ryobi weed whacker is therefore the only hand carried implement that can get to where I need to get a lot of the time. It has a total of 16" diameter sweep with the plastic string.
I tried using the .08" string it came with but after 3 refills the weeds were grinning.
OK, I tried some .095" and later some .105" after drilling out a few small holes for it to fit. The weeds were sort of worried.
After 2 refills and what a job that is with the .105" stuff, the weeds had begun to chuckle.
Off to Ace for a shit load of the whirly after market gadgets. I tried Gators, I tried an Ace type, I tried steel cables, I tried solid little strings with lumps on the end. That night when I went to bed, I could hear the weeds laughing.
Next day I got hold of an old 24T carbide tipped 7-1/2" circular saw blade. I got a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate about 3-1/2" square. In the center, I drilled and reamed it 3/8" for the spindle. Using a bolt as an arbor, I turned it to 3" diameter to just fit neatly in the spool cover. Next I turned down about a 0.050" thickness to make a 5/8" diam boss for the saw blade to locate. Drilled for 2 x 1/4" x 3/4" long button head screws and nylocs on the centerline and at 2"BCD.
After dropping it over the spindle, I finished it off with a shake proof washer and stainless M8 nut.
Wow is all needs be said.
The trick was, I think, that I mounted the blade so it is running backwards. I did this as I figured it would stop gouging into bigger stuff and consequently kick the Ryobi around in my hands.
I have hit quite a few large rocks, pieces of steel and railroad ties and it has not so much as nicked a tooth. It just gives out a slither sound and carries on.
Well, you should see the pile of weeds I have on just one tankful of gas. Nary a smirk or a peep from those bastard weeds now!!
Dave