Cheap Brush Wacker

[F&D Enterprises]

A weed wacker can be converted to a brush wacker by replacing the whip cord assembly with a used or new blade from a circular saw. A 7-1/4 inch (or smaller) blade with carbide teeth seems to work best.

The hole in the blade may be bigger that the shaft on your weed wacker, so you may have to insert a washer or thin bushing into the blade so that the blade fits snuggly on the weed wacker shaft. If you're lucky, it'll mount right on. Or, you may have to drill out the hole in the blade. But, in any case, the blade has to fit snuggly on the shaft. Make sure to snug up the nut on the shaft real good so that the blade doesn't fly off.

The blade has a lot more inertia than the whip cord, so once it's up to speed, it'll take a lot longer to slow down to idle. So, be very, very careful in using this adaptation! Also, you don't have to run the thing wide open to cut most any vegitation.

I've used mine to cut down trees as big as 4" caliper. Just be careful and take your time, and it will do an awesome job.

[diginahole]

Oh man.... that sends chills up my spine. Most manufactures offer blades and guarding designed specifically for their equipment to accomplish this task safely. Modifying machinery and equipment with out proper qualification is a big NO NO with the labor board. A used (read dull) blade that doesn't fit without modification, no thanks!!

[ChestnutHillRd]

I agree with diginahole....scary stuff. I have a Stihl clearing saw. It is difficult and dangerous enough to use with the circular saw as it is, properly guarded and equipped. This posting sounds like a recipe for disaster (or, at least, amputation).

[dan deutekom]

I agree. This is a good way to hurt yourself. Besides the proper blade is about the same price as a circular saw blade or maybe even less!

[Sammy]

Originally posted by diginahole
Oh man.... that sends chills up my spine. Most manufactures offer blades and guarding designed specifically for their equipment to accomplish this task safely. Modifying machinery and equipment with out proper qualification is a big NO NO with the labor board. A used (read dull) blade that doesn't fit without modification, no thanks!!
I Agree 100% !

[agla]

The best blade that I ever used for cutting brush was a Swedish made one called Yardvark. It was very good steel and definitely made to go on my string trimmer. They came in many sizes to fit different string trimmers.
I circular saw blade, regardless of the fact that it would be a dangerous retrofit, won't hold a candle to that Yardvark ... neither will an Oregon brush blade in my opinion (sorry, Mario).

It easily went through 2" wood stems and lasted a long time.

[jwholden]

My ankles hurt just reading the post.

Welcome aboard F & D and thanks for keeping the conversation lively. :)

[diginahole]

I may have scared F&D away, he made that post last year. It was not my intention to run him out of town, but clearly I am not the only one who finds this idea less than professional. I hope he is OK.

[dan deutekom]

Natures way of thinning the herd.:jason::insane::wacko:

[Greensmith]

Thinning the herd of spammers is always good.

[4seasons]

Dan are you and Diggin related?
Whatever happened to him anyway? Always gave good advice....

[dan deutekom]

Yep
He is my nephew. He is doing well. He gave up his landscape business for greener pastures. He decided that it is a lot easier to be an employee than an employer and make more money to boot.

It is the same reason I went to a municipality.

[4seasons]

Thats good, gotta provide for the family.