Hack to Turn a Dewalt 20 volt Weed Trimmer to a Brush Cutter
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- I upgraded the string on my Dewalt trimmer, but the stuff I need to cut is too thick for any kind of string. I figured I would try a saw blade from an old circular saw and it works great. I can cut some pretty big stuff down now. It even still works on smaller weeds.
You just saved me $300 bucks.
I did it and it actually worked! I did the whole yard and even cut small trees!
Ok i’m Back from doing this to my 60v Dewalt trimmer. Holy F. This is one beast of a machine. No more buying string, failure to feeds, finding broken neon string particles in the yard etc. Plenty of clearance on the 60v Flexvolt trimmer to keep the guard on so did it in fewer steps. Ended up using the washer off the skill saw to get the right height. Saved me from having to rent a tool for a few acres of Florida brush cutting. Dewalt makes no attachments but this mod makes up for that. I was wearing a face shield but found this MUCH less apt to fling debris my direction than the string. Also, kick back on this thing is very controllable. I was cutting through heavy patches of 1” elderberry trees like it was St. Augustine grass. You will want to really tighten the screws on the shaft of this tool. All in all it is very workable. Thanks again man for the idea. It works great.
I use a brush knife and it is amazing, just have to sharpen in occasionally. Stihl makes one for $40, there are cheaper alternatives. Yeah line sucks, I've never looked back
I read that it is not a good idea to install a blade on a cordless trimmer because it will damage the motor because the blade will be spinning after you release the trigger and the motor will be producing sparks, i do not know. How is that working for you after all this time ?
This cover will eliminate the debris flinging at you and still give clearance if you wanna run a blade.
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07KGGGL4Z?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image
"This looks perfectly safe. I don't see anything remotely dangerous about that" 😄
Yeah, me either lol.
Yeah that twig was not nearly as strong as a finger even though it was bigger.
my thoughts exactly!
I've used this setup (and many similar) for about 20 years on various weed eaters. Never did like string as that is mainly for home grass trimming. Not really *weeds* or thicker stuff. I have used the saw blade and the disc with chainsaw blade around outer edge on one machine for this sapling areas. Then another machine has a universal attachment (Weed Wizard) with about 4 inches of what closely resembles bicycle chain. I recently picked up a 20v DeWalt weed eater closest I came in my searches is the BadgerHead or Grassgator. I still do love the saw blade attachment for saplings. Definitely make sure you are using a properly fit blade or make/buy a plug to center the blade. Had one that I didn't center properly one time and the imbalance was a nightmare.
I just put a washer under the blade and it easily clears the guard. No need to take off the guard.
And yes, I am all for a little risk but take the battery out when working on it, it's too easy for a totally preventable accident when you leave it in.
I made mine about 1 year ago too. I just made myself a centering washer for the blade and I just left the guard on to protect your feet if it kicks back. Best trail making device on earth !! Our bike club has over 40KM of trails and we use this to create and maintain all of our trails !! We also use the Milwaukee Pruning M12 saws. It's the lightest and best 3 to 4 inch branch/tree cutting device.
They are handy. I was worried it might overload the motor and wear it out quickly. I guess not because it still works like new.
Sound just like my dad!!! 😂 and now me!! Let's try it!
Just be careful. It does work very well though.
"But never under any circumstances should you ever run a weed eater with no guard on it."
*Proceeds to remove guard*
I almost lost me eye yesterday, lesson well and truly learned!
and adjust the blade with the battery still connected to the trimmer.
I'm thinking I want to do the same maybe with a pie tin and some of one side edge and bottom trimmed off. Was thinking freezing a rubber ball or something maybe plastic or metal with some silicon in a hole in the middle to shape tight around the nut. Probable can even make a custom machined nut tip also might be better. I was thinking like a wood center or I guess 3D printed can be done too for a guide to make sure the blade is always centered. Probably easy enough to just make a blade adapter aligner out of scrap aluminum, brass or some smashed copper pipe even thinking too.
😂😂😂
Bro, it's sarcasm...>> CLUE
That is a zombie killing machine if I have ever seen one...nice work!
LOL Thanks! I guess I'm ready for the zombies now.
i just bought one of these at the end of last year - only got to use it once before the snow came but glad to see this works with a saw blade - have roughly 50 katrillion skillion bajillion aspen saplings that need removing - did what seemed like the same amount over the past few years with a combination of a pole pruner for the small ones, recip saw for the slightly bigger ones and the pruning saw for the big ones.
That's a whole lot of saplings! lol This thing will buzz through just about anything.
including your legs! and guys tend to like girls with two! going to order a harness - i'm pretty strong but not very tall so every bit of safety i can manage is a good thing... and the special blade - got holes in it so it's lighter and apparently has the right size hole in the centre so SHOULDn't have to worry about the balancing stuff. have about 15 acres of forest to 'clean up' - these little suckers grow a foot overnight it seems!
This is the exact model of trimmer I am trying to do the same thing. Thanks for showing how you did it.
No problem 👍
Nice. I want to try this with my electric trimmer. Looks like you saved yourself both the bother and the cost of buying a brush cutter attachment.
Beautiful Custom Mod Right there! This is how I need to roll out on my Granny's Rental Farm about 5 miles outside of downtown Muskogee. You had me snorting with laughter all thru your cool demonstrations and Mod Work:
0:59 *Crocodile* *Dundee* - _"That's Australian for a Nylon String Weed Whacker, Mate!"_
5:55 - _"..Looks perfectly safe!"_ - Had a nice vision of *Wyle* *E.* *Coyote* going after *The* *Roadrunner* by standing on a thin cliff ledge with a big heavy duty *ACME* Weight.
Also, it would cut a lot better if you didn't have the blade in backwards. I have the same trimmer and I am sure.
Looks like he has it on right! That's how the blade is supposed to spin.
I ran across this video looking for a brush cutting blade for my DeWalt battery trimmer Model DCST990 which I have had for 13 years. I don't believe DeWalt made a brush attachment so looks like I'll be converting mine over like you did. Thanks for the last part about cutting grass as I wondered how the blade did on very thin stuff.
Yeah I'll probably never go back to a string. Once the blade loses some sharpness though the thin grass cutting becomes harder.
I was looking for this video, if 20V trimmer can handle a blade.
But I will order adapter kit and a 8inch light weight brush saw from amazon.
Thanks for sharing
Best thing ive seen all day.my days are filled with awesomeness.thank you for making this sir
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice work Luke... maybe you could figure a simple gaurd mounting it in the rear bolt holes from the head where you removed that cover ? Would not need to be much, like u shaped bit that would redirect or slow the blade, made out of a piece of coathanger or something, mostly just to keep the blade from coming right back at you.
It definitely needs some safety devices. The u shaped piece is a good idea, also I was thinking about a spacer and a lock washer for the blade. I don't think it could back off because it is reverse threaded and the motor spins the direction that it can only tighten. It needs some type of braking device to stop the blade quicker, and also a lanyard from the handle to my wrist so it can never fly out of my hands if it were to kick back.
@@lukeFugate what about a wheel or two to make it less dangerous...
there are many saw blades with round / (knock out holes that have the Dimond shape ) the right size washer on the thread side( inside diameter ) thinner than the blade would center the blade or drilling the blade to the size size washer you can find thinner than the blade
Thanks for the tip!
2:50 "Never under any circumstances should you ever run a weed eater with no guard on it.... so lets take this guard off."
Yep lol.
That is Awesome! I always thought there was a way to bi-pass the string approach.. Manufacturers get u to continue to buy the string & there must be a better way than that! Luke ...perhaps u may want to make a guard out of steel to guard urself..if even for some reason the nut ever got loose and the blade came off it could not hit u.. just a thought 💭.. I try to be as Careful as I can.. looking out for u Buddy ✌🏼👋🏼👍🏼😁🙏🏼
I'm trying to come up with some safety measures as this thing is a little scary.
When you start messing around with that blade, you should remove the battery. You basically got a handheld table saw, lol.
Also, would smaller teeth work better? You could also try using a thin kerf blade. I think the thin kerf would give it more speed
and make the battery last longer. You could also make the blade smaller for more speed and power.
Very true about removing the battery. I should have done that. I do remove it now when messing with the blade.
The blade I have now(I've been through three)has finer teeth and works much better. I may have to experiment with a smaller blade just to see how it works.
Couldn't wait until tomorrow, Holy crap works great ...thanks
Great to hear!
@@lukeFugate thanks man
Great mod Luke! I wonder if that could be useful for trimming low hanging branches in your trees, and also as a hedge trimmer. It would probably make short work of those. Also, maybe it could be mounted somehow and the trigger controlled with your foot to use as a cut off or table saw.
Good ideas there! I like the table saw idea.
Looks great.... it looked like the blade was running backwards according to the teeth? or was it a trick from the camera?
Thanks! It does work well. Yes the backwards spinning was the camera. I had to look twice the first time someone commented that lol.
You ever do any arm wrestling? You've got some girth to those forearms.
Always remember; Safety third! :)... Great improvisation... Looks like she does the job...Brush is a PAIN IN THE ASS to keep up with...
Yes, brush is hard to deal with. I still have the blade on there, it has been changed once to a new blade, but I never went back to string.
You definitely have to be extra careful and watch your surroundings.
@@lukeFugate :)...That's cool that you kept it on there...You're probably getting pretty good with it by now...I have one of those Worx 40V trimmers, I'm going to modify that...I've been a carpenter for over 30 years, so being careful around whirling blades is my hobby...:)...Good health and freedom to you and yours...:)
Ok I’m back yet again and had a malfunction that people are probably very concerned about with this mod and good news is that it was not bad at all. Had the blade come loose and it spun off very weak no big deal. Also skill saw blade got dull after two long sessions, each session going through 5 - 9ah 60v batteries and spinning though countless dirt covered 1” thick woody stems like they weren’t s####. Taking all that into consideration, this is still freaking awesome.
Mine has never tried to come off yet, but I'll definitely be careful. I love this mod on mine, glad it is working out for you.
Heck yeah Luke really really good stuff. If you could see what I’ve eaten through you’d poop your pants. This thing is a beast. Thanks again, headed out to buy a new blade now. Going to get the next size up from 7” and see how that performs
JAKE SKYWALKER Let me know how it works. I May have to upgrade mine too.
OK I’m back again from the latest job. Took one of my dewalt 60v trimmers and attached a 10” chop saw blade. The jump in size was too much strain and killed the motor. I’ll have to return that trimmer but at least now we know that the size up is too much. That said, the 7” blade work AWESOME. I put that rig through an all day job and it kept putting out in florida jungle. I’ll be sticking to that from now on. Thanks again
Did you know you can buy reducing ring bushes for circular saw blades, no more centering when you go to hard!
I ended up using a rubber grommet that just fits in the space when I changed blades. It works perfectly, as I tighten it up it spreads out and puts even pressure around it and keeps it perfectly centered.
@@lukeFugate Awesome
Awesome ....rhanks for the video . Going to do the same to mine . I jave a lot of suemak to take down .
You should make something that fits on that diamond shaped hole and on the trimmer shaft.
I ended up using a washer that takes up the slack. It still works great with the same blade.
I would totally use that in the zombie apocalypse
My wife said "And now we know why women live longer than men." 🤣
Probably true lol.
"Look mum, new brush cutter"...."look mum, no legs" like all good toys - deadly
Yeah, I'm gonna have to get some kind of safety on it soon.
Great since of humor. AND a useful mod. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Dammit man! I want to do this to my Dewalt now!
I think the power tool manufacturer should make them motors to stop instantly when you let go off the trigger instead of coasting to a stop; BTW, that rigging worked fine; Recently, just recently I bought a kit to properly attach a saw-blade to a trimmer but have not installed it.
That would be a good feature.
It's not clear what that pin was and where you got the washer? Can u pls explain? They do sell $10 adaptors for this and the forester has a circular chainsaw blade for this exact purpose.
What pin were you referring to? as for the washer it was just one I had laying around. The next blade I put on it after this one wore out was a perfect fit and didn't even need a washer.
I used a new 5 1/2 inch blade it has the round hole same size as the bolt, and modified a second guard I had for a Craftsman gas trimmer with the shaft that disconnects for attachments ( I have extra parts from a old trimmer that broke), better than the $85 they want for the attachment.
Great. The smaller blade probably gives you more torque too.
@@lukeFugate- Yea it's pretty smooth, they are made for those dinky little cordless saws and 4 1/2 inch angle grinders.
Haha.... Stumbled onto this and had to subscribe. Great humor!.... BTW. I. Am. Waiting for a renegade 80t as I type this.
Thanks.
Good evening, Good you help me with what size nut you used to tighten the blade on with?? I am having trouble finding one. Great video and thanks
The nut I used came from the old head. It is a reverse thread nut so it is special. It is in the center of the old head and it will push out with a screwdriver and a hammer. Just be careful not to damage the threads.
Do you know the size of it?
@@chanc2121 Not sure of the size of it. I don't know if you could find one without ordering an entirely new head.
Thank you
Good show. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
dude, love it. Just what the Dr ordered.
Glad you liked it. It still works great. on my second saw blade now.
Whoa that new DIY gadget looks like a George hazard! Be careful with it, bud! Maybe that's your scariest gadget yet! lol
Yeah, I'm thinking I may have to come up with a few safety devices for use on it.
Well done! I'd probably invest in a suit of armor to wear when i was using it though. :)
LOL That would probably be the only way to be safe with this thing. I was thinking of maybe a lanyard that hooks to the handle by the trigger and goes around my wrist. That way even if it kicks back it won't get knocked out of my hand and can't spin around ant bite me.
That lanyard idea sounds good ... maybe two, one going a bit further up your arm so that swinging around just can't happen. Still, i don't think that you should give up on the suit of armor idea. You could be Sir Luke-A-Lot!
And, btw, how are Ol' Green and Buster doing? It's been awhile since we've heard from them.
"Sir Luke-A-Lot" that's funny! I was also trying to figure out a brake that would kick in to stop the blade when the trigger is released. It seems to take about 20 minutes for the blade to coast to a stop right now. Ol' Green and Buster are all right. Been driving the Cavacruiser to work lately. Thinking about putting a V8 in Ol' Green.
Scary blade! Good to hear about all three of your bigger vehicular friends :) Glad they're well. Ol' Green will feel like a youngster again if you do that. And on Sir Luke-A-Lot, maybe we viewers should claim the title ... we all Luke-A-Lot at your videos! We Like-A-Lot them, too :)
Looking to make a edger so thanks for the hard core test lol I'd suggest sheliding with
Thick gage sheetmetal exposing 25% only all around it . You should put it on a durable extension pole for tree trimming done it with gas never 20 volt dc.
I'd caution everyone without real fabricating expierence.
Hit it with spray paint.so its easy to locate the center again
Good suggestion.
Did you put the blade on the wrong way??? And how the heck does that blade not take off the nut with the direction it's spinning from the torque?
The blade is spinning the right way I guess it is a trick of shutter speed on the camera makes it look like that. The direction it is spinning is also the direction the nut tightens. As you use the blade it actually gets tighter.
I'm thinking I want to do the same maybe with a pie tin and some of one side edge and bottom trimmed off. Was thinking freezing a rubber ball to drill out smaller than the nut head so real tight fit when soft or something maybe plastic or metal with some silicon/starch in a hole in the middle to shape tight around the nut wrapped in saran wrap. Probable can even make a custom machined nut tip also might be better at the community college or library if they have the 3D printers since seems is more common I've been seeing. I was thinking like a wood center or I guess 3D printed can be done too for a guide to make sure the blade is always centered. Probably easy enough to just make a blade adapter aligner out of scrap aluminum, brass or some smashed copper pipe even thinking too with just a drill, hacksaw and file for a tighter fit.
Good ideas there. It would be a way to incorporate some safety into the thing.
What sort of fit would you have on the standard round arbor blade without punching out the diamond divot? Surely wouldn't be lucky enough for the arbor to be smaller, would it? That would be ideal if you could worry with enlarging the hole, because I'm sure that there's no way in hell that it would default to the 'proper' size. If it's larger I'd bet it wouldn't be hard to find (and/or fit) a washer to eat up (fill in, that is) that space between the shaft and hole. No matter what, a round hole is far preferable to that diamond hole...which is gonna be real, REAL noticeable, and FAST, if/when it slides out of round and the blade shears/slings toward some extreme in that diamond hole! I wonder if the reason DeWalt and/or third party/after market parts and accessories suppliers shy off of blade attachments for these things is related to some inherent inability for the little electric motors to meet the demands that blades produce....and if so, is it that they are confident that the motors can't or is it because they aren't willing to take chances on having to recall a really, really cost prohibitive chunk of change ... and that's being 'lucky' enough that tort lawyers don't get involve (which is about as likely as a big chunk of shit drawing zero flies, an example that's quite apt if you think about it). I'd bet on it being that they aren't comfortable doing it, even though I'm sure there are tons of tweaks that would help support the use, from blade size, thickness, weight, etc. to varying the kerf of the cut.
You put it on backwards to start with ;)
lol probably did.
luke Fugate Haha im watching you man;)
@@CHUNKYNUGGET666 lol
Efficient to have creek and road in same space.
Yeah, it's nice till it floods. Lol
Do you still do this? I'm curious how well it's worked out for you.
Yes, I still use it. I have worn out two blades so far, and still runs as strong as it ever has.
Good, I’ll do the same thing with my electric trimmer!
Great vid.
Love It! "The best part, zero dollars."
Yeah, you can't beat free!
tack weld your washer on to your saw blade, then it should stay balanced
country boys can survive!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep.
Dude you are a genius!!
Thanks!
There is a slot to stick a screwdriver into to hold the shaft while you tighten it.
I used an Allen wrench to hold it, but it all works the same.
Lol....IDK if a lockwasher would help or not....anything to make it safer if you are gonna use it that way....you are a brave fellow!!!!
I guess theres a thin line between brave and crazy. I'm afraid I know which side of the line I may be on!
luke Fugate drill a small hole through the bolt and add a safety clip
You need a safety shield and a hard hat gloves 🧤 that is very important
Was the blade facing the right way
It was, but with the rolling shutter effect, it looked like it was spinning backward. After editing this video I had to check the blade and make sure. It even fooled me.
Did you flip the blade over because it was spinning in the wrong direction.
It wasn't spinning the wrong way it was the rolling shutter effect of the camera made it look like it was.
I tried this but it just unbalances so quickly. I'm surprised there's no conversion kit
entertaining and helpful .... good stuff
Glad you enjoyed it!
good job but be careful ,i am your fans ,god bless you
Yes this is one tool you want to be careful using. Thanks for watching!
It makes me nervous to see you balancing that blade with the battery still on the tool.
Good point. I should have removed the battery.
Hey bud how is this holding up so far? Been thinking about doing this to mine!
The weedeater is holding up fine but I've been through three saw blades so far. I won't ever go back to string though.
Thank you brother!!!
You bet!
Im on the hunt for the adapter in the us witch doesn't offer it. And nobody ships it overseas
Dt20657 . If anyone has a idea where to get one please help.
Ohhhh my god. This is crazy. Do you still have all your legs ?
Yes, so far all one and a half of them.
@@lukeFugate 😂❤🙏
It looks like the saw blade is spinning the wrong direction for the way the blade is turned.
It looks like that on camera, but it is the rolling shutter effect and it does spin the right way. Weird how it looks like that.
What is the shaft diameter ?
I think it was about a quarter inch.
what are the chances you could do a vid on how to get the $%^&UI bottom string spinny bits off? i don't want to bugger mine up, and if it's too difficult i may just suck it up and buy another one so i don't have to keep changing it out.
I think I know where the pieces of the head are. If I can find them I'll make a short video. I haven't used the string since putting on the blade.
@@lukeFugate i have lots of grass etc, so still a need for the string (aside from the two huge new spools of string i just got)... thinking maybe better to just suck it up and buy a second one - sacrifice the first and just rip the guts out.
@@lukeFugate decided to pick up another one rather than farting around each time - the ones without the batteries aren't stupidly expensive so not that bad.
Would this work on the 60v?
Yes, it should work. Actually it would have better power with the 60V.
Can I do this with a Black and Decker or Craftsman electric trimmer?
I'm not sure it would last. I haven't owned either of those. This Dewalt is still going strong though. If it would fit on a Black and Decker it would be worth a try.
okay, riddle me this, just got a blade and a harness (safety first!)so want to play with it.... but how the #$%^& do you get the spool out??? the top cover comes off, but the spool is stuck in the thing... and i can't get the thing off to the other thing off to put the new thing on...
I think I remember what part you're talking about. It's in one of my tool box drawers. It's the worst weedeater head design I have ever seen. I'll have to look at it again to refresh my memory. I almost just busted it off with a hammer but I was afraid of ruining the threads on the shaft.
Clicks trigger 5seconds conclusion : yep that’ll work 🤦♂️ lol lets get to swinging the limb looper ....yep ya see how easily it cut the branch well I’m guessing about as easy as it’d cut a meat branch off good luck sir
Yep have to be careful with it, but it has worked well all this time. I'll never go back to string.
Hero.
Looks like your blade is on backwards
It looks like it on camera but I guess it was the shutter speed or something, because it really turned the right way.
Do you realize a sawblade will shatter where a brushblade will bend? Ya might want to get some chain link shinguards!
Not so sure about that. I hit a rock with the blade and it bent to the point it was trashed. I guess it depends on the brand and wether it is hardened.
@@lukeFugate yeah sawblades are much harder for sustained use where brush blades are soft. It's not worth the gamble. The blade you bent was likely cheap. Don't risk losing a foot.
@@peppylapeeeU thanks for the advice. I'll look for one.
Looks like you made a pole saw
Ready for the zombie apocalypse! 😀
Yep just gotta make sure I've got plenty of batteries.
Thanks man
Milwaukee needs to hurry up and just make the sapling cutter attachment! I'm about to do this. Got an acre of saplings to cut
Yeah, some type of blade is the only way to go with a job like that. I still have the saw blade on it and have no intention of ever using the string again.
Did you ever attach a blade to yours? I have the Milwaukee trimmer and want to put one on mine
You hit steel and your hurt as it shatters.
Man at least wear shin guards and steel toe with that contraption.
Yes steel toes are a good idea.
What happens if you hit a rock?
Rocks just make a tinging sound and probably dull the point that hit the rock a little bit. I haven't noticed them dulling the blade very much, as it still cuts about the same as it always did.
Stihl gas weed eater with square string will cut through branches and shit.
Stihl is a good weed eater. I would say you are talking about the kind with the handlebars, yeah those are beasts.
Its cool untill you burn up the motor,thats A LOT more mass than its designed for,gas engine it dont matter but a electric motors cant handel it
Probably will shorten the life of the motor. As long as I get a couple of years out of it, it's fine. Hasn't shown any signs of slowing down yet. I tried the same on a Murray gas weedeater and the clutch burned out in about a week.
The biggest problem is if it stops to fast, If it gets pinched Or a kickback. That's why a string trimmer is not supposed to be used as at brush cutter.
What can possibly go wrong 😂😂
Yeah gotta be extra careful with this setup. It does work really well. I'm on my third saw blade now and will never go back to string.
Actuaries have been puzzled by the astonishing drop in life expectancy lately, especially among men.
This type of video may offer a clue into high-risk cultural activities-from DIY to DOA.
looks like the saw is turning to wrong way
No, it's turning the right way. Might be the camera shutter speed making it look like that.
OMG Luke! Great Idea but I certainly hope you either get a spacer or a proper weedeater blade and maybe some kind of lockwasher to increase the safety factor! That thing is scary even for an 18 or 20 volt battery operated thing! That thing even beats the devil out of my little 2 stroke....of course it will only hold .65 string although I kind of "forced" .80 string its not a real powerful motor I can't cut real heavy stuff.
Yeah a lock washer would make it a lot safer.
Crazy 😜 but I like it
Thanks
Woulda worked better if you didn't have the blade on backwards.
It wasn't backwards. It's the same way it spun on the saw. The rolling shutter effect may have made it look like it was spinning the other way on camera.
Thats very cool! Dont listen to these other guys freaking out that its too dangerous. They should just wrap themselves in bubble wrap and sit in a room! Stay hillbilly!
Thanks, might be my favorite comment yet!
Circumcision tool.
lol
This shouldn’t be done at home so we’re going somewhere else. That’s what I was thinking as well.
Haven't cut a foot off yet, and have cut a lot of weeds with it. You do have to be constantly mindful that the blade will pretty much take out anything in its path. You also have to keep a firm grip on the handles. Although when you do hit something the blade can't move or cut through, it dead stops and doesn't try to kick back or anything, so it is safer than most people think.