We’ve all seen those guys with the big expensive power equipment who cut perfectly smooth edges around their front yard. But why do they spend thousands of dollars on these machines when we already have our hands?
There are many reasons why you should invest in a handheld edger instead of spending $1,000+ on a gas powered edger. In this article, I’ll go over 4 reasons why you should consider buying a hand held edger. And even though it may seem like a small investment, it will save you hundreds of dollars every year.
Also Read: Are edger blades supposed to be sharp?
Table of Contents
Why you should consider buying a hand held edger
You Can Edge Your Lawn Without A Power Source
If you’re looking to edge your lawn without using any type of power source, then you need to get yourself a hand held edger! The reason for this is that there’s no way to use a power source if you don’t have access to electricity. So if you want to be able to edge your lawn without having to worry about running out of battery life or not being able to find a place to plug into an outlet, then you need to buy a hand held edger right away.
It Will Save You Money Over Time
When you compare the cost of owning and operating a gas powered edger to the cost of owning and operation a hand held edger, you’ll see that it will actually save you money over time. This is because the average price of gasoline has gone up significantly since 2008, which means that you’ll end up paying more each month just so you can keep your lawn nice and neat. If you decide to purchase a gas powered edger, then you’ll have to pay for fuel every single month, and that could add up to quite a bit of money. On top of that, you’ll also have to pay for maintenance costs, such as oil changes and spark plugs.
It’s Easier To Use
When you look at how easy it is to use a hand held edger compared to a gas powered one, you’ll realize that it’s much easier to use a hand held one than it is to use a gas powered one. With a gas powered edger you’ll have to fill up your tank before you can start cutting, while with a hand held edger you won’t have to worry about filling up your tank. Another thing that makes it easier to use a hand edger is that you don’t have to worry about replacing spark plugs or changing oil filters.
It’s Much Safer
Another great advantage of using a hand held edger is that it’s much safer than using a gas powered one. When you’re using a gas powered edger then you run the risk of getting hurt by hitting something hard with the blade, but with a hand held edging tool, you won’t have to deal with that problem. Plus, when you’re using a hand held edging machine, you’ll never have to worry about accidentally cutting off your finger or thumb.
Also Read: When to change edger blade? Tips For Changing Edger Blades
How to Edge a Lawn Without an Edger
There are many ways that you can edge your lawn without using an edger. Here are some tips that you can follow:
Use a Weed Whacker
Weed whackers are very useful tools that can help you remove weeds from your yard. They work well for removing grass clippings and leaves, but they aren’t really designed to cut down large amounts of vegetation. However, if you do happen to hit a weed with your weed whacker, then you can simply pull it out and throw it in the trash.
Use a Mulch Mower
Mulching mowers are another option that you can use to edge your lawn. These types of machines are used to spread mulch on your lawn, and they make it possible for you to easily trim back your grass. Just like weed whackers, these machines are not really designed to cut down larger amounts of vegetation, but they can still be effective for doing so.
Use a Rotary Mower
Rotary mowers are probably the best choice for those who want to edge their lawns. These types of mowers are ideal for cutting down large amounts of vegetation, but you should only use them if you have plenty of space available. You may need to rent a rotary mower if you live in a small area, but if you own a bigger property, then you shouldn’t have any problems finding one.
If you’d rather not spend money on renting a rotary mower, then you can always buy one yourself. There are several brands that offer quality rotary mowers, including John Deere, Briggs & Stratton, Honda, and others.
If you decide to purchase a rotary mower then you will also need to consider which type of blades you would like to use. Some people prefer to use plastic blades because they are more durable, while other people prefer metal blades because they last longer. It’s important to choose the right kind of blades for your needs.
You might also want to think about buying a rotary trimmer as well. This type of device allows you to trim your lawn without having to use a rotary mower.
Lawn Shears
Edging with lawn edging tools is one of those things that seems like a great idea in theory, but doesn’t always work out quite as well in practice. Lawn edging tools are designed to help you trim around trees, shrubs, fences, and other obstacles that might prevent you from mowing directly down to the ground. They’re essentially just long versions of garden shears, and while they do make cutting grass easier, they don’t really accomplish anything else.
While there are some people who swear by them, most people find that they’re too bulky to carry around, and they tend to take a fair amount of effort to operate. If you want to try them out, though, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Reciprocating Saw
If you’re looking for a way to edge a sidewalk without having to hire someone else to do it, you might want to consider getting yourself a reciprocating saw. These tools are lightweight, versatile, and relatively inexpensive — making them perfect for homeowners who don’t mind doing some DIY work around the house.
But there are drawbacks. A lot of reciprocating saws are expensive, and most of the ones you’ll see on Amazon are designed for heavy duty applications like cutting concrete or masonry. But if you’re just looking to trim grass along the edges of a walkway or driveway, you can probably find something that does the job well enough.
Do you really need an edger?
Before you go out and get an edger, you should ask yourself whether you actually need one. While many people say that they need an edger to maintain their lawns, this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, there are a number of different ways that you can trim your lawn without using an edger at all.
The first thing you should do when trying to figure out how to edge your lawn without an edger is to look into what type of equipment you already have. For example, if you have a riding lawnmower, you could simply cut the grass down to where it meets the curb. Then, you could either let it grow back naturally, or you could rake it up and throw it away.
Another option is to use a string trimmer. String trimmers are typically used to trim hedges and bushes, so they’re not ideal for maintaining large areas of grass. However, they can be useful for smaller jobs, such as trimming the edges of flower beds or small patches of grass near driveways.
Also Read: Why does my edger string keep breaking?
How to finish quilt edges without binding
Quilts are beautiful works of art, but they can be time consuming to create. Many quilters choose to add finishing touches to their projects after they’ve been completed. One popular method involves adding a decorative border to the top and bottom of each piece of fabric before stitching together. Here’s how to finish quilt edges.
1. Cut strips of fabric equal to the width of your finished quilt. You may also want to include extra material on both ends of the strip to allow for seam allowances.
2. Sew the strips together end-to-end to form a continuous band. This will serve as the backing for your quilt.
3. Lay the backing flat and lay the batting over the top. Pin the layers together.
4. Fold the raw edges of the backing under 1/4 inch (6 mm) and press with an iron. Repeat this step for the other side of the backing.
5. Place the quilt top right sides facing each other. Stitch the two layers together along the long edges. Leave about 2 inches (5 cm) unsewn at the beginning and end of the quilt.
6. Turn the quilt right side out through the opening in the center. Press the seams open.
7. Topstitch across the entire length of the quilt, leaving about 3/8 inch (10 mm) free from the stitching.
8. Trim off any excess batting and backing.
9. Using a rotary cutter, carefully remove the stitches that hold the quilt together.
10. Use scissors to cut the remaining backing and batting into strips that are slightly wider than the finished size of your quilt.
11. Arrange the strips around the perimeter of the quilt, overlapping them by about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm).
12. Starting at one corner, stitch the strips together, catching the raw edges inside the quilt.
13. Continue sewing until you reach the opposite corner.
14. Remove the pins and turn the quilt right side outward.
15. Gently pull the corners inward to smooth out any wrinkles.
16. Hand sew the last row of stitching closed.
17. Quilt the quilt if desired.
18. Bind the quilt using your preferred method.
19. Enjoy your new project!
Also Read: Why does my edger vibration? Repairing an Edger That Vibrates
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