parrot wrote: ↑

July 9, 2018, 6:53 pm

Yes, some things from China are what you pay for.....a toaster many years ago fried on the first piece of bread. I think it cost 200 Baht.....Big C refunded my money.

You could have bought a milkshake for that

I’m sure a lot of products are made in China without us knowing it but I was out looking today and I’d say there’s a definite difference in quality between Honda and the generic Chinese motors. In any case, DoHome have Briggs and Stratton, probably also put together in Asia somewhere but once again the build quality seems to be even better than the Honda and I had one in the U.K. and it lasted forever so it’s most likely the one I’ll buy.

Many years ago I owned a tool shop, part time for me full time for the ex. I was amazed at how many hand held power tools were all made in the same production facility in Taiwan. Name information was changed on each device. But, that was the only difference and oh yes prices were different. Still that way I have no idea?

Im sure you're right, I've seen two very similar (exactly the same) drills for example, one OEM and the other Makita but to be honest 9 times out of 10 I would buy the Makita. That said, the Briggs engines seem to be quite unique, slimline, robust and very well built, the generic Chinese ones are most likely okay but they don't look as well constructed, they're quite clumpy and as I know absolutely nothing about engines I'm most likely to go for the Briggs because I've owned one before and had no problems with it.

Parrot I bought same model Sakari. The cables are crap. I replaced them twice. Mine is 5 years old but "my wife only mows" 1/4 rai. I found that taking the mower to Tool Pro yearly for service is the trick. The mechanic there sharpens the blade, changes the oil, lubes the cables, cleans filters and the entire machine, 460 baht. You should see all the Thai writing on the mower deck. The mechanic's notes to himself. Oh yea, the grass catcher bag bottom wore out after 2 years. I had an auto shop in Udon fit a new plastic hide bottom. My brother-in-law back in the states has a 15 year old Honda, self propelled, electric start still running. When the Sakari craps out my wife will get the best..... Honda

Here's a clip of an email from Bob.....probably a year old or so, so the info may not be current.....but gives you an idea of what sort of inventory he carries......and his street-perfect English:
Troy Bilt TB280ES has a 21" cutting blade

Snapper model MSPD20650 510mm cutting blade
Briggs & Stratton engine serial number 11 0113 54 36579 Quantum 650 series model 120000
Meets USA EPA regulations on that engine. Snapper out of the box weights 35kg

Rapter B04SL 18" blade Engine Model 9000 ESeries serial number 160115 5151438 140cc
Rapter is a good budget self propelled mower. Briggs & Stratton engine made in USA, wiht a deck made in China. Good customer feedback. Small mower. 10,900 baht.

Makita has a 410mm cutting blade
The Briggs & Stratton engine is BBSXS 1581VG
serial number 11 0113 54 36579 this is a PUSH mower.

The Honda HRJ216 can be operated without the large grass catcher. It is set up for back discharge in a safe way. It WILL be by your feet, but in a directed downward stream of grass clippings. Must be videos on the web of this. It does not "blow on your feet", but rather will be at your feet, due to the design of the discharge opening. Honda design things in a good manner.

The Troy Bilt TB280ES does the same and give you the OPTION of using SIDE DISCHARGE. The Honda does NOT have side discharge.

Both are fine machines. Easy pull start on the Honda, and you have the option to use the push button start on the Troy Bilt. I've seen dozens of the Honda and Troy Bilt get set up and demonstrated for customers in side our store. Really first pull on both machines they start up. Not the "effort" I had as a young man in California with an older Toro lawn mower!!!

Both are winners, with the Honda slightly larger.

Prices paid in person at our store with a credit or debit card.

Honda HRJ216 fully set up with the oil installed and some 95 petrol.
27,800 baht One year warranty any Honda ASC

Troy Bilt TB280ES same as above set up and battery charged.
21,990 baht 2 year warranty at Ruangsangthai. 1 year at other Troy Bilt ASC

Snapper self propelled same as above fully set up
15,990 baht 1 year warranty any ASC

On the subject of Chinese or not.........two of my trusty tools that have been giving me excellent service:
The Bosch handgrinder that gets a regular workout sharpening gardening tools, cutting steel strips, hacking this and hacking that.
The Bosch leaf blower works just fine. I'd have preferred a gas model.....but the ?Hitachi? was about 7000 Baht, this electric model was 3......so I went with the electric model. Good for helping to dry off the vehicle after washing, or blowing out exterior windows from insects, or blowing out the dust from a fan (outdoors) or blowing off the porch after a termite attack.

Oh, yeah, Bosch......one of those good German companies, even has German on the label. Both products, made in China.

Yes it's the case for most electronics but I think there's usually a difference in quality between products made by Bosch and a generic brand.

I've contacted Bob and asked him what he has in stock, thanks for the heads up.