The END is near (California guys)

[rustybronco]

Generac is the big advertiser around here these days, fueled by gasoline, propane, natural gas, or diesel. They even sold one to my brother, though neither me or him remember our elect. ever being off for more than a few hrs. Advertising the fear of elect. being off for long periods has sure sold a bunch of them

I've a Generac 2000 inverter. It's a so-so machine. I bought as a factory return/ refurbished. I suspect because the fuel line came off. Some time down the road it did the same thing again to me. I had to drill out some of the fasteners to get it apart. Ruined some of the plastics from the fasteners that spun.

I was able to repair the holes to accept new screws. Put a worm drive clamp on the fuel line instead of the original spring style. She's been fine ever since. Can't say the fasteners won't ever rust together, but I won't be apart for the fuel line in the foreseeable future.

It works great as a portable power source for power saws and leaf blowers. Never used it for my inverter TIG welder... yet.

[limeex2]

Do none of you mulch the damned leaves? Soil augmentation is delightful.

Yes, for almost 20 years. Raking sucks

[bccap]

Events like this are a perfect example of why I bought a generator! Thanks for the confirmation, Gretta Garth!

Next question: how much gasoline should I stockpile for it? The stupid eco-friendly ethanol crap they sell these days doesn't keep long term. Maybe I need to learn how to de-alcohol my gas? Got some Stabil, but some extra assurance would be nice to have!

So how's that " Puck the environment ! I'm going to buy as much gas powered crap as I can ! " thing working out for you ?

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/02/04/us/california-storm-atmospheric-river#california-storm-flooding

[Nessism]

So how's that " Puck the environment ! I'm going to buy as much gas powered crap as I can ! " thing working out for you ?
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/02...storm-flooding

This is EXACTLY why I bought the generator! Thanks for the reminder!

Sadly, I've only got a gallon or so of fuel in the garage can. This post is a great reminder why I need more!

BTW, a friend came over to the house last weekend and saw my new Toro. He commented about my "monster lawn mower", LOL! I took it as a complement!

[bccap]

This is EXACTLY why I bought the generator! Thanks for the reminder!

Sadly, I've only got a gallon or so of fuel in the garage can. This post is a great reminder why I need more!

BTW, a friend came over to the house last weekend and saw my new Toro. He commented about my "monster lawn mower", LOL! I took it as a complement!

I'd opt for something a little more useful than a generator if I were you ......

[Rob S.]

Perhaps a few titanium bolts would right that ship?

[Nessism]

I pushed my old Honda mower to the curb the other day, where it sat for a couple of days. Put a "FREE" sign on it, and an hour later, I heard someone start it up on the curb, check it out, then walk it way under power! Isn't the world wonderful! One man's junk is another's treasure! I hope the new owner mows many a lawn with that well seasoned machine.

In the mean time, I bought yet another battery for my Makita drill. It's been harder and harder to find decent batteries these days, for less cost than a whole new drill w/battery, that is. Now, what do to with the old dead battery. How many do you guys think are polluting landfills these days?

[Vmass]

I pushed my old Honda mower to the curb the other day, where it sat for a couple of days. Put a "FREE" sign on it, and an hour later, I heard someone start it up on the curb, check it out, then walk it way under power! Isn't the world wonderful! One man's junk is another's treasure! I hope the new owner mows many a lawn with that well seasoned machine.

In the mean time, I bought yet another battery for my Makita drill. It's been harder and harder to find decent batteries these days, for less cost than a whole new drill w/battery, that is. Now, what do to with the old dead battery. How many do you guys think are polluting landfills these days?

I have always found it cheaper to purchase a new battery operated drill than to buy replacement batteries.

Seems as though someone ought to put some pressure on the manufacturers to sell the batteries for less than the tool or offer a credit/trade-in value for the batteries. Not sure why these batteries can’t be produced so they can be re-powered.

[Rob S.]

Now, what do to with the old dead battery. How many do you guys think are polluting landfills these days?

Lots.

I was in the garage (under the building) revving my 11E. A man approaches (his car was near my spot) with a disgusted look on his face. "What's the matter," I ask him, "too much noise?"

"The smell!" he replies.

"That's hydrocarbons. Sweet as roses!"

I still see him around the building, always with a grumpy face.

[rphillips]

Ed, Just me, I've found the reasonable priced after Mkt. batt. for my old Makita 9.6V straight sticks (2 for $15) seem work as good and last as long as the OEM ($35 ea.) ones.... You'd think putting things right back in the ground, that originally came out of the ground "shouldn't" be a problem, ie. fuel spills and batteries, but that's not what we're being told.

[Nessism]

Ed, Just me, I've found the reasonable priced after Mkt. batt. for my old Makita 9.6V straight sticks (2 for $15) seem work as good and last as long as the OEM ($35 ea.) ones.... You'd think putting things right back in the ground, that originally came out of the ground "shouldn't" be a problem, ie. fuel spills and batteries, but that's not what we're being told.

I've told this story before, but my Makita drill is 12v, served me well, and when needing batteries, every few years, I went to Amazon, or Makita direct, and simply bought a new battery. Fast forward to the last few years, and Makita batteries are crazy expensive, and aftermarket batteries are JUNK. They weigh significantly less than the "good" batteries. I bought two different batteries off Amazon, and both were junk. Gave up, bought an expensive Milwaukee drill, with two factory batteries, and went on with life. Not wanting to give up on my Makita, I found a battery seller that posted the weight of their batteries, using it as a selling point. The weight was in the region of what was expected, so I bit. The new battery isn't as good as the originals, but it's decent enough to get the drill back into service.

Bottom line: electric power tools are a crap shoot, and you can expect to have battery problems long before the tool is used up. That's why I went and bought a gas mower.

[Eli69]

I'm pretty sure that stores that sell rechargeable batteries will take your old ones for recycling. It's the law here in NY.
Same with used oil. This old hippie is all for it.

[rphillips]

Bought this old Makita drill & flashlight back in "87" or "88", always wondering how long they'll keep going... We get $12 or $15 off on price of new Auto Batt. if we turn in our old one. Not a clue where to get rid of these smaller batteries... Around here, most Auto Parts stores "and" Walmart will take our used oil.

[Nessism]

Go to gas station, fill up can, pour in a slug of Stabil, and mow into the sunset. Batteries? LOL!

[bccap]

Never heard of an underwater lawn mower ......