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PaperclipPerfector  21hr ago (text post)   652 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for August 7, 2026

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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This is where your eye for detail catches you. I've never seen a contractor maintain a yard when they're working on a house. The contract only covers their ass, it doesn't mean they give a shit.

I purchased a corded mower at the same time you were evaluating energy sources for yours. Trust me when I say that you dodged a bullet. Managing the electrical cord was a huge PITA, and I sliced and had to splice it twice despite being (I think) pretty careful.

Battery powered mowers are definitely not equal. The Makita model I got is uh... expensive. But it runs through my 1/3 acre lot on a single set of batteries (10 AH) and can store 20 AH onboard. It does this partially by dynamically ramping blade speed, but also having two blades and using a brushless motor.

I use the same battery system with my handheld tools and all my yard stuff, along with my children's modified PowerWheels. I wasn't sure how the 36v system would work, but I'm sold.

Man, we are going to be accused of becoming the Makita shill forum. But yeah, you are getting almost exactly the same efficiency as me. Assuming you mean two 18V 5Ah batteries in series, which IMO is 36V 5Ah. I have the smaller, less fancy Makita mower.

The only problem with the Makita LXT 18V X2 (36V) system is that the specification for the pack sizes in the X2 configuration technically prevents them from going up from 5S2P 18650 cells. Do at your own risk, but if anyone is wondering, those very slightly over-max-dimension aftermarket 5S2P 21700 housings do fit (at least the mowers). I think the 5S3P packs might fit, but seems like overkill and crazy weight. Plus, you probably need to spot-weld copper for that kind of amperage. If you go for custom battery pack, be sure get one with a high-quality BMS. You can now get 5 Ah 21700 cells for 10 Ah per 18 V pack. Which is more capacity than I have in mine. And will last way, way longer than I can mow for in one go.

P.S. Those modified PowerWheels are sick. I need to have a kid, just to justify buying one.

The Makita tools are very expensive and don't go on sale, but when I bought my first house I called the customer support line for the major tool manufacturers. One didn't have a support line, another had a wait time of 50 minutes, and Makita picked up (with an American!) on the second ring.

My dad's Ego gear just sucks to use. For the same weight profile and 50v batteries, every tool is underwhelming and he's had to warranty a lot of stuff.

I've now totaled my son's Sam's Club special. I started with the 18v upgrade, tacked on head-and-tail lights, and then when the motors burnt out threw in some 775s (yes I was lazy and bought a kit). I threw on a trailer hitch compatible with the bike trailer, so the rig can now tow a brother and some snacks depending on grade.

This is where your eye for detail catches you.

It doesn't matter that much. Renting a generator costs just 50 dollars. (Renting a gasoline mower is even cheaper at 30 dollars, but I'm not totally sure that the still-meaty smallest model offered by Home Depot would fit in my cute little car.) It's just annoying.

Managing the electrical cord was a huge PITA, and I sliced and had to splice it twice despite being (I think) pretty careful.

IIRC, I've accidentally run over my cord twice in my 10 or 15 years using this corded mower (the same old Homelite model for the entire time, with two small DIY repairs). I would call it a "pain in the ass", but not a huge one.

Here's a rough sketch of my typical grass-cutting pattern at home. (Scale: The lot is about 100 feet square.) As long as you don't go in circles, you can do basically anything you want without being too annoyed, IMO.

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