Power tools from Alibaba / other Chinese sites

[Alex99]

Hi,

Just wondering has anyone ever purchased power tools from websites like the above? I’m looking to purchase a petrol earth auger for a fencing job I have coming up. Not looking to spend a bombshell on a Stihl one when it will likely be used once then stored.

I don’t have much experience of sites like this, but the prices are ridiculously cheap. Aside from the obvious aspect of scammers etc, has anyone actually purchased petrol kit from places like this?

What was your experience like?

Thank you!
Alex

 

[Parm]

Is hiring a machine an option?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Hire or buy second hand personally.

 

[Kram]

Yes I got one off ebay. I dont really trust the Chinese sites.
This is mine, it was about £120 and is one of my favorite tools.

I dont imagine I will do fencing again, if your interested in it.

Mine has some minor damage on the piston but runs perfectly. If you get a new one, check all the bolts - strip and reassemble. If it vibrates apart it will run lean and cause the damage.

 

[Bobo]

Lol. Wow, that looks bloody dangerous! Massive potential for breaking your arm!

 

[Eric the chicken]

I think I saw a 'You've been framed' type video of something like that taking charge of two people and spinning them around until they got thrown off.

 

[HydrocarbonPrimate]

Hopefully you strike oil so we dont all freeze to death this winter

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Hopefully you strike oil so we dont all freeze to death this winter

Adopt a Tory this winter. More than enough hot air in one to heat your home for years.

Not gonna be a fun winter.

 

[KimB]

I wouldn’t buy of there ever again to be honest. Found to be a lot of con artists or people selling faulty items without the ability to send back. My friend spent around 4k on clothing to sell and half of it was not right and/or poor quality. They wouldn’t sort it.

Auger though, we got one from Hyundai, the one I listed bellow, it has a 3y warranty I think it is. The price has gone up a bit but it’s great. The three augers are really helpful. Just be careful they’re really dangerous

Hyundai HYEA5200X 52cc Petrol Earth Auger, Borer & Drill - Earth Augers / Borers

www.lawnandpower.co.uk

 

[Wozzaaah]

Lol. Wow, that looks bloody dangerous! Massive potential for breaking your arm!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

It's not rocket science. Magnetic lanyard cutoff switch from a Mx/trials bike.
Let go and the engine cuts out. Should be fitted from factory.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Apico Universal Magnetic Lanyard Kill Switch

Apico Universal Magnetic Lanyard Kill Switch, part of the huge bike maintenance and motocross tools range at Dirtbikexpress.co.uk. Order online now for Free UK Delivery.

www.dirtbikexpress.co.uk

Replace the kill switch with one.

 

[Kram]

Powertools are not dangerous, its the person operating and maintaining them. The throttle must have enough spring force to close when let go, like any tool.

To grab a spinning auger by a twist throttle is idiotic. I'd say that video was staged after making the throttle stick open.

40+ holes on mine without any spinning issues.
Its not going to break your arm but could smack you in the leg quite hard. Just needs a suitable amount of respect and awareness like any tool.

I wouldnt use the lanyard. If it somehow catches in rotation above the magnet, your going in and not coming out.

 

[Alex99]

Thanks everyone - think I will probably just buy a second hand Stihl one to be honest! Have heard some horror stories of people using the cheap ones, finding a tree root leading to broken arms etc. The Stihl machine has an auto clutch. Will keep looking. Thanks!

 

[8ob]

Treat an auger as if its going to kill you and all will be fine, they dont have enough power to hurt/rotate you if they jamb, they slip on the clutch. Having hold of them half heartedly is where the problems start.

Bob

 

[willie.macleod]

Thanks everyone - think I will probably just buy a second hand Stihl one to be honest! Have heard some horror stories of people using the cheap ones, finding a tree root leading to broken arms etc. The Stihl machine has an auto clutch. Will keep looking. Thanks!

Just do as @8ob says, treat it with respect and you'll be fine with a cheap one. I got one a few years ago and it's a good bit of kit although my soil isn't ideal for it due to lots of stones in places so I'm used to it catching and am constantly watching for any changes in ground conditions and not hammering the machine down.

 

[johnik]

cant you use a hand one ?, cheap, not much to go wrong etc

 

[James1979]

They should have a clutch lever on an arm sticking out so if it grabs the lever hits you in the leg and disengages the drive.

As @8ob, positive holding is half the battle. Same goes with all that kit - wackers, kangos etc

 

[Migmac]

Our post hole digger never spin out of control

 

[Onoff]

If the post hole digger I use goes out of control I'm in deep doo doo.

It's a 12" auger on the back of the BiL's MF65!

Sheared a few pins where it connects to the PTO before. Lots of big roots and flints here.