How Best to Evaluate the "Bargains" at Yard Sales and Thrift Stores

This time of year (Springtime, yay!) you find boat loads of lawn and garden tools in various states of repair at thrift stores and yard sales. Sure there's some great bargains to be had, but how much of a bargain is it really?  As they say, if it's too good to be true... My latest video will empower you to decide if the bargain is worth the cash when looking at 2-stroke weed trimmers, edgers, blowers and even chainsaws.  

Follow along on my version of "A Tale of Two Trimmers":

Yard sales afford you a better chance of getting the straight dope on a particular piece of equipment. Question the owner: "How long have you had this tool?"  "Ever had it services by a shop?" "When was the last time you used it?" These are all clues to the condition and more importantly how well this tool was cared for. The answers might also give you reason to barter on the price as well. 

In any event, most yard sale and thrift store purchases will require some additional time and parts and money to get going again.  New carburetors, filters and carb kits can cost less than $40. Keep in mind you'll have to tune the carb from scratch if you go with a replacement rather than a rebuild kit.  Taking the tool to a repair center can cost upwards of $80-$100.  So add all those costs in your calculation to decide if it's worth the purchase.

Good luck with your yard sale and thrift store adventures.

If you are looking for any of the tools I showed you, please check these links:

Chainsaw multi-tool:  https://amzn.to/3fVZvVW

Inline Neon Spark Tester:  https://amzn.to/3z6DrPQ

Ignition Tester:  https://amzn.to/3cn034R

No Contact Spark Tester: https://amzn.to/2TNBMyE

Compression Test Tool:  https://amzn.to/3z74BX6

I hope these tips and tricks can empower you with oracle like skills to make your small engines run smoothly and consistently.

Please subscribe to my Youtube channel: The Lawnmower Lady and get notifications of new videos. Or follow along on Instagram at thelawnmowerlady and Twitter at the Lawnmower Lady 

Mow Happy!

Standard Disclaimer: Any links to products are likely affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (Thank You!), with no additional costs to you.

Wear your safety glasses, or you'll put your eye out. Try on some gloves. Take off that spark plug boot. Clean your room. Open the windows, those fumes are nasty. Just 'cause I do it, don't think it's the end all, be all solution. There's plenty more ideas out there, I can't take responsibility if you slice off a few fingers after watching my videos. And don't just pour that toxic stuff down the sewer or in the ditch, dispose of waste responsibly. Just be safe, OK?

Homemade Pressure Tester for 2-Stroke Carburetor

Sometimes you really don't need to spend $80-100 for a gadget when you just might have the parts laying about your garage. Here's how I made, and use a homemade pressure tester with a small inline pressure gauge: https://amzn.to/3cn4jkR and a Mityvac brake bleeder kit: https://amzn.to/3wTnB9w

There are several tests you need to make sure your 2-stroke engine is running at its best. If there are any air leaks, you risk damaging your piston and cylinder.  Some of these simple tests can help isolate any air leaks. 

The carburettor on a small two stroke engine can have several issues if fuel flow is restricted, or there are any leaks. Running too lean (too much air) or too rich (too much fuel) can cause an array of issues from clogged exhausts to melted piston rings. 

10 psi max for rotary carbs, and 7 psi for butterfly carbs is all that is needed to determine if the needle valve and the inlet seat is clean and intact. If your carb can't hold those pressures, then you will be running rich and will likely flood out your engine. 

Pressing the purge valve while still pressurized will confirm the purge valve is working if the carb holds pressure after pressing the purge bulb. Lastly the check valve should be checked to ensure it works correctly.

Other tests that are easy to perform with a pressure tester are testing fuel filters, and making sure the gas cap is venting properly.  Hopefully you can see how to easily diagnose some basic carburetor or engine issues with just some spare parts you may have laying around your shop or garage.

I hope these tips and tricks can empower you with oracle like skills to make your small engines run smoothly and consistently.

Please watch for new videos on Youtube at The Lawnmower Lady or follow along on Instagram at thelawnmowerlady and Twitter at the Lawnmower Lady 

Mow Happy!

Standard Disclaimer: Any links to products are likely affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (Thank You!), with no additional costs to you.

Wear your safety glasses, or you'll put your eye out. Try on some gloves. Take off that spark plug boot. Clean your room. Open the windows, those fumes are nasty. Just 'cause I do it, don't think it's the end all, be all solution. There's plenty more ideas out there, I can't take responsibility if you slice off a few fingers after watching my videos. And don't just pour that toxic stuff down the sewer or in the ditch, dispose of waste responsibly. Just be safe, OK?