All owners of personal plots are faced with the problem of mowing grass, which grows literally before our eyes, and during the season it is necessary to improve their plot several times. The usual hand scythe has long been replaced by gas trimmers and electric trimmers. But the price for them does not decrease and is quite significant for many owners of dachas and private houses. Craftsmen nevertheless found a way out of this situation and learned to make trimmers with their own hands literally from improvised means, using gas and electric tools not intended for these purposes.
From the Bulgarian
Most often, a homemade electric trimmer is made on the basis of an ordinary grinder, which is available to every home craftsman. This tool is almost ideal for converting into a trimmer. It has more power and a higher number of revolutions per minute than store-bought machines. In addition, the standard nut used in the grinder to secure the discs already has holes through which it is easy to insert a fishing line (cord).
So, there are many options for what to make a barbell (holder) from. The simplest one is a wooden holder that is longer than for a shovel. An angle grinder is attached to the end of it at the desired angle using regular tape. The fishing line is inserted into the 2 holes of the nut, after which it is tightened. Thus, in a few minutes you get a trimmer with which you can mow the grass without any problems.
To ensure safe operation of a homemade device, you can improve it by making a protective casing (how to do this will be discussed later).
For advanced craftsmen who have a welding machine, we can recommend a more advanced design for securing the grinder and protective casing. It is made of an aluminum tube (serves as a holder) and a metal square profile. Looking at the figure below, you can understand the principle of making the holder.
The grinder is secured to the holder with bolts inserted into the holes that are intended for attaching the handle to the device.
The following photo shows what this design looks like from below.
Next, the “original” casing of the angle grinder is removed, and instead of the disk, either a fishing line or a metal disk blade is installed.
By the way, you can also screw the holder (bar) to the holes for attaching the handle when you want to make a simple trimmer that is easy to assemble and just as easy to disassemble if you need to use the grinder for its intended purpose.
To make it more convenient to hold the trimmer in your hands while working, and for it not to rotate around the axis of the rod, you can attach a side handle made from a bent pipe to it.
Final Tips
Take care of your safety first. For this:
- remember once again the rules for handling electricity;
- do not work without protective covers with open rotating knives;
- do not trust strangers without proper training with your dangerous homemade products;
- When mowing, do not be distracted, but control the work area. Do not allow children, animals, or random visitors onto it.
A homemade lawn mower helps you experience all the advantages and disadvantages of electric grass mowing, the operating features of such devices, and the need to balance the center of mass. After gaining a little experience in using it, it is easier to choose a factory model that is professionally prepared for long-term use.
And now I recommend consolidating the material in your memory by watching Mikhail Mayorov’s video “Do-it-yourself electric trimmer.”
I remind you that now is the opportune time for you to share this article with your friends on social networks and ask questions in the comments.
From a vacuum cleaner
A trimmer from a vacuum cleaner engine is made according to the same principle as from an angle grinder. The motor must be mounted on a rod, and either knives or a plastic or metal disk must be attached to the motor shaft, into which the fishing line must be inserted. The top of the cutting tool is covered with a protective casing.
To prevent dust and small particles of mowed grass from getting into the motor removed from the vacuum cleaner, it can also be hidden in a plastic casing made from a sewer pipe, as shown in the following photo.
Since the motor in the vacuum cleaner is high-speed, it needs to be cooled. Therefore, under the washer into which the fishing line is inserted, it is recommended to insert a homemade disk with slotted and curved blades so that it acts as a fan that creates a vacuum. It is required so that air is sucked through the hose from above and cools the engine.
In order to ease the load on the hands of the mower operator, the unit can be installed on a platform with wheels. In this case, you will get something similar to a lawn mower.
To secure the fishing line, you can also use either a pulley with a suitable mounting hole or a plastic wheel from a cart.
Required components
The simplest version of a lawn mower includes the following parts:
- knives;
- engine;
- wheels;
- handles for controlling the structure;
- protective casing;
- a frame on which all mower components will be attached;
- parts for controlling the system: RCD, switch, cable and plug for connecting electricity.
The frame of the lightest model will include a metal sheet with a thickness of 2 to 3 millimeters with a hole in the middle for the passage of the motor shaft. The sheet is combined with a frame made of metal corners. The engine is attached to the sheet on top, a casing with protection is installed on the bottom, wheels are mounted on the sides of the axle, as well as handles for controlling the device.
If the product uses a flanged motor, then it can be attached to the sheet itself by drilling holes in the latter that will be identical to the holes in the flange. If the engine is of a classic type, then several perpendicular racks from the corner must be welded or screwed to the sheet so that they coincide with the engine feet.
Special holes are made in the corners for mounting the engine. If the holes are created as grooves, this will help align the engine with the frame when mounting. This assembly will be very useful for selecting the optimal grass cutting height. The easiest way would be to create holes for different engine heights.
The central place of the lawn mower will be a unit, which will consist of a mandrel with short knives attached to its surface (one long blade can also be used).
From a drill
The simplest mower is made in a matter of minutes from a drill or screwdriver . But first you must make a knife from a sharpened metal plate with a hole drilled in the center. A bolt is inserted into this hole and tightened with a nut.
Next, the bolt is clamped in the drill chuck, and the trimmer is ready.
Since a drill with this attachment does not have a protective casing, such a tool is quite dangerous for the user. To protect yourself, you can place the drill, like a grinder (discussed above), on the handle of a shovel or on an aluminum pipe.
Also, to protect the user of the mower from knives, a casing can be attached to the drill (attached to a plastic pipe and placed on the body of the device).
The drill is attached to the rod using clamps.
Principles of operation of an electric motor
Such a motor can be either single-phase, which operates from a regular network, or three-phase, which requires additional electricity. When connecting an electric motor, you must always remember personal safety. For a motor operating on one phase, RCD protection must be installed, and a three-phase motor must have appropriate capacitors.
For a home lawn mower, you can also use a drill with speeds of up to three thousand. When assembling the structure, it is necessary to correctly select the power of the mower for its swathing. A cordless or electric drill mounted on a base or platform will perform its tasks efficiently, and the grass will be mowed.
During operation, you should not forget about operating intervals, since you need to give the motor time to rest in order to avoid overheating. This tool will easily clear the area of grass and give the lawn an attractive look. The platform on which the engine is installed must be of optimal size so that you can mow the grass near the wall.
From a chainsaw
Many different attachments have already been invented for chainsaws that expand the capabilities of this unit, for example, a cultivator, a drill, a boat motor, and also a scythe attachment. You can see what it looks like in this video. If you want to make a trimmer out of a chainsaw, the most you can make is a lawn mower on wheels, since the engine of the unit is quite heavy, and it will not be possible to apply the above-described options for making trimmers (with a bottom drive) to it.
Therefore, the trolley is made first. It can be welded from a 25x25 mm corner. The frame dimensions should be 500x600 mm. The wheels are attached to the corners of the frame.
Next, you need to unscrew the “steering wheel” and tire from the unit. The cart handle can be made from water pipes. The “steering wheel” is screwed to it. It is also necessary to lengthen the fuel hose and throttle cable.
When installing the trolley handle, make sure that it does not block the winder (starter).
The gasoline engine is installed (screwed through the holes to secure the tire) onto the frame so that the gearbox is rotated 90 degrees and the shaft is at the bottom.
Now all that remains is to attach the cutting tool to the shaft of the unit. This is done as follows.
- It is necessary to weld a small piece of pipe, 80 mm long and 50 mm in diameter, to the “star” of the device. It is better to cut the pipe on a lathe so that the ends are perfectly straight.
- Next, find a pipe with a slightly larger diameter - equal to 58 mm. It also needs to be cut to a length of 80 mm. Thus, you will receive a telescopic shaft, which is connected using 2 bolts (m6) located opposite each other. The bolts must have locknuts. Below is a diagram of how the trimmer head is made, which is used to secure the cutting tool.
Several holes need to be made in the telescopic pipes so that the height of the knives above the ground can be adjusted.
It is better to make a knife of such a design as in the following figure.
Due to the fact that movable knives are attached to the disk with rivets, they will simply bounce off when they encounter a stone or a dry branch . This will protect the shaft and gearbox from damage that may occur when the tool jams.
The rivets that hold the knives to the disk must be metal.
The diameter of the disk (made from 4 mm sheet steel) should be 180 mm. The knives are made from strips 30 mm wide and 120 mm long, cut with a grinder from a hacksaw blade for wood.
Other homemade options
Thanks to its economical and reliable engine, the trimmer is the basis for many other homemade products. Below we will briefly describe the possible options and provide video instructions for their implementation.
Converting a trimmer into a chainsaw
A gasoline brush cutter can also be turned into a chainsaw. To bring the rationalization idea to life, you will need old models of devices. All details will be taken from them. The video below shows the result.
Converting a trimmer into a gasoline saw involves installing this part from a brush cutter instead of its own engine.
Making a snowmobile for children
The trimmer can also be converted into a snowmobile. The process involves installing the engine on a structure equipped with skis. Due to the insufficient power of the motors available on brush cutters, the independent equipment created is capable of transporting only a relatively small weight . It also moves on relatively flat terrain. This homemade product will serve as an interesting and useful toy for children.
The movement of the snowmobile is carried out using a screw or chain drive.
The videos below show some possible options for homemade equipment:
Home craftsmen have come up with many different ways to adapt the motor from a trimmer to a snowmobile. Here the limitations are related to personal imagination and the existing list of unnecessary devices and equipment that can be used to create homemade snowmobiles.
Motor drill
Brush cutters can be converted into a motor drill, which can also be used as an ice drill if necessary. As a result, construction work will speed up and require less labor. A motor drill is used to make excavations for fence posts, pile foundations, and for erecting other structures.
Both electric and gasoline trimmers are converted for this purpose.
DIY trimmer knife
If you need to mow plants with thick or tough stems, then ordinary fishing line will not cope with this task. Therefore, you cannot do without a special metal knife. Trimmer knives can be bought at a specialized store, or you can make them yourself, for example, from an old circular saw blade (without soldering). The knife is made as follows.
- First, markings are made on the disk. You can make as many “petals” as you wish, for example, two, three, four or five, as in this description.
- Next, using a grinder, 2 radial cuts are made according to the markings.
- After radial cuts, you need to use the same grinder to connect 2 cuts, making a longitudinal groove of sufficient depth so that you can break off the cut piece of the disk.
- Clamp the almost cut part of the workpiece in a vice and break it off.
- Do this operation with all the “petals” of the future knife. All irregularities can be ground on an abrasive wheel.
- When the workpiece is ready, sharpen one side of each “petal” at an angle of 45°.
Gasoline equipment
A homemade device based on a gasoline saw is an excellent solution that allows you to save money. Assembly requires a frame, motor and fuel tank. The power ratings of such equipment make it possible to mow dense and large grass. The blades can be replaced with a petrol saw sprocket.
Do not forget that you need to use a gasoline-type lawn mower very carefully, observing all safety requirements, since gasoline is a flammable substance.
Homemade protective casing
If you are making a homemade mower, then you will definitely need a protective cover. It will protect your eyes, body and legs from injury from small pebbles and knife fragments if they break.
The trimmer housing can be made from a sheet of aluminum or thin sheet metal.
- First, in the corner of a metal square, you need to drill a hole of the required diameter (depending on the type of drive of your unit) using a crown.
- Then you will need to make markings for the fasteners. As a base to which the homemade protection will be screwed, you can use a standard casing from an angle grinder if you are making a trimmer from it.
- Clamp the workpiece with a clamp and, using a tape measure and a pencil, draw the first circle with a radius of about 270 mm. The center of the circle will be the corner of the workpiece. It is impossible to give exact recommendations regarding the radius, since it will depend on the diameter of the cutting tool that you will use with the unit. Therefore, first decide which knives you will use and what line reach will be optimal.
- Next, draw a second arc (this will be a bend), slightly retreating from the first. In this case, 5 centimeters. This way you measured the height of the future shield. In general, it is recommended to make the height of the casing such that when you place it flat on the ground, the cutting tool does not reach it by about 2 cm.
- After marking the second line, you need to cut a workpiece along it using a hacksaw or a jigsaw with a metal file.
- In addition, it is necessary to make radial cuts (up to the first arc) and bend the resulting parts with pliers at an angle of 90°.
- Next, the shield is attached to the protective casing of the angle grinder, the cutting tool is installed, and the unit is ready for work.
In this way, you can make and install a protective cover on a trimmer purchased in a store if the shield has cracked for some reason. The shields in factory devices are made of plastic and often break if you unsuccessfully hit the trimmer head on the ground to lengthen the fishing line.
Device Description
A homemade mower consists of an engine, blades and a comfortable handle. Since the motor is powered from the mains, you will also need the longest cord with a plug and a switch. For ease of operation, wheels must be attached to the bottom of the lawn mower. Not to be able to keep our client together, a skeleton is necessary.
Trimmer belt
For more comfortable work with the trimmer, if you intend to process a large area covered with grass, it is advisable to use a special belt. This device relieves fatigue from the hands and back of the mower operator and greatly facilitates the process when compared with the same work, but without a belt.
There are shoulder straps and backpack straps. The shoulder strap is the simplest device and consists of a loop with two or one latch (carabiner), with which it is attached to the mowing unit. A plastic plate is usually attached to the second carabiner, protecting the operator's side from pressure from the trimmer bar.
The shoulder strap is usually used with lightweight trimmers weighing 3-4 kg. For heavier units it is more convenient to use a backpack belt.
A trimmer belt can be easily ordered online or purchased at a specialized store that sells these devices and their accessories.
The price of backpack belts starts from 250 rubles and above.
If you want to make it yourself, then any housewife, looking at this device, can easily sew it from improvised materials (old belts and belts). You may have to buy buckles and carabiners. But we still recommend buying a ready-made backpack suspension and not wasting time and money on making a device of worse quality than the ready-made one.
Operational safety
A homemade lawn mower requires careful safety practices. This is due both to the fact that the tool is electric and to the presence of knives. The first thing you need to do before turning on the lawn mower is starting work. check its functionality, the sharpness of the knives, the reliability of all bolts, and the free movement of the wheel. It is highly advisable to collect debris locally as rocks or wooden blocks can cause injury to your mower or mower. Children or pets must leave the work area.
Proper use of a lawnmower. push him away from you. If there is a need to stop using the lawn mower for a while and then return to it. then you should always disconnect the mechanism from the power source, not the button next to the motor, and remove the plug from the socket. And the most important thing. Operating the electric lawnmower is strictly prohibited in the rain or on wet grass. Cleaning or repairs may only be carried out with the engine switched off and cooled. will enjoy DIY lawn mower for many years to come.
How to make a rotary mower
A do-it-yourself rotary mower, useful for dacha farming, is done like this. A homemade rotary mower-cultivator of rotational action is made from the rear axle of a VAZ. To work you need:
- disks;
- gear chain;
- metal cutters;
- tavern;
- opener
The following tools should be prepared:
An inexpensive homemade rotary mower is made like this. It is necessary to make holes on the disks. Then attach the shredder to the opener, and the knives to the shredder. The knife and the shank should be separated from each other at a distance of the thickness of the first. The cutting element must rotate 360º. To create the axes for fastening the knives, you need carbon steel with a diameter of 8 mm. It is necessary to bring the axle to the stop using a disk. This is how rotary mowers for a tractor or walk-behind tractor are made with their own hands. Let's move on to the next homemade product.
