new tools

[hawthorns]

im in the market for garden tools at the mo im borrowing the old mans stuff. i need a fork and a rake. any ideas on how much to spend.

[Snadger]

Go to a car boot sale and pay pence rather than pounds for them!
I find most new tools are 'numb' and the old tools were made to be used on a regular basis! Usually old draw hoes and spades are a particular bargain!

[vegnut]

Go to a car boot sale and pay pence rather than pounds for them!
I find most new tools are 'numb' and the old tools were made to be used on a regular basis! Usually old draw hoes and spades are a particular bargain!

I second that. You can pick up a bargain at the car booties, though you may find that you come home with a few more tools than what you were after in the first place

[kernowyon]

agree with the boot sale for finding a bargain, the bonus is that if your shed gets done over as much as ours the theiving b*****ds only find stuff worth a couple of quid and usually leave well alone. all my tools have cost me the grand total of £7.25p.

[lainey lou]

I managed to get a fair bit of stuff for free from the freecycle website.

[Two_Sheds]

I did have all 2nd hand tools, all a bit pranged and splintery. I treated myself to a new Spear & Jackson border fork (lady size) and it changed my life. Well nearly

[lainey lou]

Was it expensive? Must admit I'm thinking of treating myself to a really comfy fork after bruising my hand a couple of weeks ago ( must have been a bit over enthusiastic!!).

[Two_Sheds]

Lainey Lou, it was about £15 from A*da (end of season sale i think). A really good stainless steel fork, with a 10 year guarantee

[lainey lou]

that sounds like a really good bargain!

[rustylady]

Hi Lainey, I think you've probably missed the A***a and T***o end of season sales, but they are really good if you can catch them. I got myself a stainless steel spade and fork set year before last and they've been absolutely superb. S*ds law, my secateurs broke last week and all the special offers are gone so I had to buy at full price. Still, my last ones must have given me 10 years good service and I hope I get similar from the new ones - if you work out the cost over the number of years service it doesn't seem so bad. I would agree, however, with the comment that it really isn't worth leaving good expensive tools in allotment sheds unless the security is 100%. I still carry my stainless ones back and forth (I'm lucky I only live 5 minutes walk from the lottie).

[Snadger]

Hi Lainey, I think you've probably missed the A***a and T***o end of season sales, but they are really good if you can catch them. I got myself a stainless steel spade and fork set year before last and they've been absolutely superb. S*ds law, my secateurs broke last week and all the special offers are gone so I had to buy at full price. Still, my last ones must have given me 10 years good service and I hope I get similar from the new ones - if you work out the cost over the number of years service it doesn't seem so bad. I would agree, however, with the comment that it really isn't worth leaving good expensive tools in allotment sheds unless the security is 100%. I still carry my stainless ones back and forth (I'm lucky I only live 5 minutes walk from the lottie).

I know stainless steel tools look very pretty and are easy to clean but they always seem to make them out of thicker metal than traditional tools. This adds weight and to my mind makes them rather unweildy and a bit 'numb' methinks!

[Flummery]

agree with the boot sale for finding a bargain, the bonus is that if your shed gets done over as much as ours the theiving b*****ds only find stuff worth a couple of quid and usually leave well alone. all my tools have cost me the grand total of £7.25p.

Our sheds are where the car boot people get the 'bargain' tools from in the first place, I believe.

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, I think you're right. I have written "stolen" in big letters on all my kit !

[hawthorns]

will try the car boot sales first. but then again christmas is coming so i will start a wish list.

[NOG]

depends on what tools you want.

Yep Forks and Spades rakes buy the old ones. proper Iron and Ash handles will out last you.
But hoes I would go to a good garden center not Homebase or B&Q and play with a few.
I have the wolf stuff and its great. They do about 10 differant handles, wood, metal, plastic long and short. and they do about 10 differant heads. so you can get the size and type that fits your body and way of working.

Wolf also do offers in the Spring. so you get one handle and 3 attachments for a reduced price.

I was always taught buy the best tools you can afford and they will last you a life-time.

finally keep them clean and sharp and they will do half the job for you.