The gravel wont damage the edger or the blade, but you will tend to throw rocks. On the one hand a reverse rotation blade like Craftsman and a few others make has the advantage of throwing any debris or rocks away from the operator. On the other hand, nothing slows or knocks down the rocks, which can be dangerous to others within about 50 feet (and to cars and windows). I would recommend a rear throw edger with a large blade guard and an addition rubber flap to control throwing rocks. I currently use a Little Wonder 6032 in Jersey, and before that in Southern California had a succession of McLane's and Power Trims. It think Little Wonder and Power Trim are among the best, but both are pricey (starting $500 and running to about $900 for commercial model with Honda GX engine). McLane is probably better value for the money (for home use) and can be had for about $350 to $400. Make sure you get the 801 or 101 models. The 137 is only slightly less expensive, but has been "dumbed down" considerably, and I cannot recommend. Lastly, I would avoid either the edgers with vertical shaft engines and twisted drive belts. IMHO they are junk. Also, the little 2 cycle edgers with the tiny 1hp engines are little more than toys. Stay away.

"Does seem coincidental that both keys would be broken, though." A son uses this mower and I noticed when I sharpened the blade a while back that the mower was only pulling with one wheel but I was busy and didn't want to fool with it. Now neither is/was pulling. Yes,I have a diagram and parts list from the Internet. The keys are not broken but I think the edges are worn until they no longer engage inside the gear. I substituted parts from a sacrificial mower and I THINK it is going to work for now at least. "if you're considering selling it, I'd be interested." How about a genuine collector's item, a D400, "brick top" magnesium deck that runs great. I really don't want to box it up to ship though. Walt Conner

Hi, I think that extra power in a trimmer is OK. The issue is weight. I have a Honda and it is 31 cc. I use it with a heavier line 0.105 inch. I have never used a saw blade with it. So long as you are happy weight wise then I would go for a more powerful one. The honda I use to hack weeds too. I saw your other posts too. I think straight shaft is better unless you really like the curved shaft ones. A curved shaft tends to have more wear, because you have to transmit that power round a corner. The other thing I was apprehensive about a curved shaft is that the spinning head is nearer you. When you cut lots of debris tends to be spun off. You want to be away from that safety wise. No matter with trimmer you end up buying I recommend also getting the following items: 1) Eye protection, goggles. Essential in my view. CHeap $US 3.00 Home Depot 2) Ear muff hearing defenders. Cheap about $US 10-16 Home Depot 3) Old baseball hat to keep all that grass out of your hair :) Warmest regards, Mike.

Of course you can. I have one. I had a lawn service in Florida. Get your goggles on. Remove trimmer guard. Fire it up, get about 6" of string out there, flip the weedeater upside down. Give it the gas and go. I "back edge", that is, I walk on the grass, cutting the grass against the sidewalk or drive. Gives it that beveled look. As you're maintaing a constant trigger pressure, when you hear an increase in trimmer head speed, stop, bump out some more string, and restart. If you don't remove the guard it is very difficult to edge as you can't see what you're doing. Us Florida guys say anyone who weedeats with a trimmer guard doesn't know how to weedeat. That's everyone I've met in North Carolina, for one state.