Dewalt 18v Strimmer | Dewalt DCM561 review including how to fit the guard

[@paulspinks6881]

You're a champion. First time purchase of one of these and couldn't make sense of the 'manual'. Installed the guard in no time thanks to you.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm glad the video helped 😉 Thanks for the comment 👍

[@jonathancook4022]

Yep, the instructions Dewalt provide in their instruction manual on installing the guard are poor/not easy to understand

[@jonathancook4022]

You saved the day

[@StarSwarm.]

Great video. Bought based off it and was not let down. Very happy with the trimmer. You then saved me a second time when I couldn't work out how to install the guard as the instructions have nothing and are complete garbage.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm glad the video helped ;-) Thanks for the comment

[@CellarPlusEquip]

Cheers for video on how to install guard. I had no chance with the dewalt instructions provided. And every other video ,the guard came install. All sorted now. Well done.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm glad the video helped ;-) Thanks for the comment

[@therincey9414]

Thank you. The manual gives you no idea how to fit the Guard. This clip was very concise with an excellent demonstration and instruction.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Glad it helped

[@heezergeezer]

Dewalt instructions on this are utterly useless - thanks - straight forward, no messing vid!

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome. Thanks for the comment

[@caskwith]

Whats the ergonomics of it like, I noticed it is pretty "straight" compared to your petrol strimmer, does this make it uncomfortable for long term use?

[@ultimatehandyman]

It seems fine for me, although I have only used it for about 30 minutes so far. Not sure what it would be like if you were using it for a couple of hours though!

[@PadmaDorjee]

Great video mate. Do you have any follow up on this? Especially how easy or difficult to feed the line in when replacing new line?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I've only replaced the line once, and it was easy (from what I remember) 👍

[@cryptoslacker-464]

Great video ! Only place i found info about guard . Couldn't even find a manual on their website. Guy at the shop sold me line trimmer larger than in machine. Any idea if it would still work ? He assured me you could use any size

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm not sure about that, sorry. Thanks for the comment

[@patriciakavanagh8510]

really great review and instructions given - thks so much, can you show how to replace the cord too? Mine is just out and I'm struggling. Thanks

[@645hughes]

Another good review UHM. I know this is a bit of a 'piece of string' question, buy how long do you reckon a charge would last with 'normal' use??

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks, my back garden is quite large at about 800 square metres and the strimmer easily did the perimeter and some other bits that could not be reached by the mower and the batter just went down by one LED (5AH battery). It probably took me 15-20 minutes to do the strimming. I was going to time how long it would last with a 5ah battery but I'd have to do a lot of strimming to keep the machine under load for the test. If I get time I'll try doing some testing- but I'm incredibly busy for the next few weeks!

[@jayz395]

do you still use this?

[@ultimatehandyman]

No, I still have it in the garage, but I now have a gardener that cuts the grass and strims, every few weeks. He uses his own tools 👍

[@alexbayman3017]

Thank you - fitting the guard was driving me round the bend! One piece of advise to fellow strugglers: it's a two person job!

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@garthqueen]

I bought one of these in April after long deliberation-i couldnt convince myself that 18v would be powerful enough,or have the runtime.I was wrong on both counts! Happy i took the plunge now. It can do some serious edging,and at times is almost too powerful and whips the ground up! I know there is a 40v version,and Flexvolt are bringing one out next year? But that means investing in a new battery system,and i cant justify that (yet!). And yes,the guard was a bit confusing to fit at first...think i had to use a socket set on mine if i remember.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm glad you like yours ;-) I can't wait to test out the leaf blower once the leaves start to fall ;-) Thanks for the comment

[@edwardkelly3425]

Hi, thanks for the video? Any update on how the strimmer is going? Still working ok etc? Thinking of purchasing at the moment

[@ultimatehandyman]

Mine is fine, although I don't use it now, as I get a professional firm in to cut the grass and strim. My mate had an issue with his, but he took it back to screwfix and they swapped it for another. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

@@kryptoniteee It used to take me an hour, plus I could only cut the grass on dry days. Because I worked full time, as well as doing the KZbin channel and looking after the website, I got a local gardener to cut it. You might be able to see the size of the back garden from some of my videos, example here- kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6KuYpd_bdl2jZo&t They charge just £20 to strim and mow it each time 😉

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

very impressive I just recently got my self a ryobi petrol one but I didn't think a cordless strimmer or wiper snipper as we call it in Australia could do so well. are you able to use the battery's from your Dewalt drill set and charger?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Hi Yusuf, yes my Dewalt XR batteries from my power tools fit the Dewalt XR garden tools ;-) Thanks for the comment

[@craigh9112]

Hi I'm thinking of buying one of these as I have some dewalt xr kit and I need a strimmer for my small garden but I haven't owned a strimmer before and wondered how easy this is to replace the wire when it runs out and also does it use standard strimmer wire ? Thanks

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm not sure about that. Normally the strimmer wire lasts me a few years, I had a Flymo strimmer for about 3 years and never needed to replace the wire once. They do sell Dewalt strimmer wire but as long as you get the same thickness wire you should be able to install any make. Thanks for the comment

[@bustanut1968]

Yes you can use any strimmer wire,the wire housing comes apart to allow this

[@Argyll1000]

I'm considering buying one of these but I've read a few motors have packed in after a year or so. You made this video in 2016, have you had much use of the strimmer and is it still going strong.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I've not used it much since to be honest. My ride on mower died, so I now get a guy to cut the grass and he does the strimming! Thanks for the comment

[@mattymobbs5125]

Would you say the battery one is as powerful as the petrol please i juts got the battery one as my monthfeild kept playing up.

[@ultimatehandyman]

It depends what you are doing. I only use this from strimming grass in the garden, so it's perfect. If you are a landscape gardener and you have to cut overgrown gardens, a petrol version with a bush cutter attachment might be a better option. But form most gardens the battery strimmer is perfect

[@WMartinNI]

Can the head on this thing be turned to use as an edge trimmer? Can't for the life of me figure out how to do it save for turning the handle and using the thing upside down!

[@dmarsden7180]

How have you found this strimmer to be since reviewing I’m looking at buying one soon just wondered the above question thanks

[@ultimatehandyman]

To be honest, I have not used it much. I'm so busy, that I now pay a guy to mow the grass and strim. My mate bought this model and a few weeks back, he said something had vibrated loose In the top, but it turns out it was something and nothing and a really easy fix. He has used his a lot and is happy with it ;-) Thanks for the comment 👍

[@dmarsden7180]

Ultimate Handyman thanks for the reply going to order one at weekend excellent review and video

[@bustanut1968]

I have one of these and the motor at the strimmers wire holder end seized after no more than 40 hours use. I have always used dewalt and am very surprised by this. After doing a bit of online checking there was a problem with certain motors used in these.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Blimey, I hope mine lasts! Thanks for the comment

[@cheechU38K]

Great for a smaller garden though the new 54v Flexivolt will really be enough for small commercial jobs

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@Rob21421]

Got one of these from Screwfix, quality bit of kit. Any idea if you can fit a blade to this in place of the string head? Thanks for the guard how-to, needed it! Thought i would add this as some might find it helpful , charger comparison DCB101 (95 minutes) DCB102 (95 minutes) DCB103 (95 minutes) DCB107 (240 minutes) DCB112 (150 minutes) DCB113 (112 minutes) DCB115 (75 minutes) DCB118 (75/47** minutes) **Battery Datecode 201536 or later. DCB132 (75 minutes)

[@ultimatehandyman]

I don't think you can fit a blade to it (I could be wrong) . Thanks for the comment

[@paulo1279]

I 100% agree without this video I would have been going back to the shop and asking for some proper instructions !!

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm glad the video helped Thanks for the comment 👍

[@Skankovic]

Could you ad a Brushcutter blade to this unit?

[@ultimatehandyman]

No, I don’t think so 🤔

[@revz1713]

How long does the battery last , cutting time?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I can't remember exactly but I think with the 5AH battery it is a couple of hours. The garden here is huge and a single charge easily cuts the edges. Thanks for the comment

[@jusb1066]

it does at least sound eager and the same rpms as a mains one, i had a cheap 12v strimmer some years ago and it was rubbish! not enough rpms to cut anything, no power to cut grass, but more and more seeing cordless tools do what only mains could do, the flexvolt mentioned below seems to be larger tools and no drills (perhaps they are coming) certainly interesting times. (P.S. why were you shopping naked on ebay?)

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks, yes its a cracker. I always shop naked on ebay as long as the web cam is not switched on ;-)

[@ayelar]

does it still work to this day mate?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yes, it still works great, but I don't use it much now to be honest, as I have a guy that cuts the grass and strims now. Thanks for the comment

[@zedman442]

Nice review. That actually sounds up to the job. Some cordless hobbies just don't sound the part. Looks like it's got a beefy motor on top of the strummer head too so looks like it will do the business. You can't beat the smell of a two stroke in the morning though!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks, My two stroke is so difficult to start that I welcome a battery version. Mine is only a cheap one though, every time I use it something vibrates off and I have to stop to fix it LOL. Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@zetecfiesta]

Nice Vid, I love mine, you need the leaf blower and hedge cutter now - they are equally as awesome I think Dewalt have changed the design of the head since i purchased mine earlier this summer, I'm sure I needed a 13mm socket to get the head off

[@ultimatehandyman]

I have the leaf blower- its brilliant. I'm waiting for the leaves to fall off before reviewing that though ;-) I looked at the hedge trimmer but I need a long reach one for the hedges here. Thanks for the comment.

[@zetecfiesta]

+Ultimate Handyman hopefully dewalt will bring out a pruning saw with head trimmer attachment too

[@ultimatehandyman]

They might do, now that they seem to be making more gardening tools. I needed a new long reach hedge trimmer so bought the Titan one from Screwfix, it seems pretty good for the money.

[@1954BJohn]

Thanks for the review Chez.....Looks handy piece of kit.

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome John. Thanks for the comment

[@tgpfireandsecurity8786]

+Ultimate Handyman a very nice piece of kit, I am going to consider one of these and use it for smaller gardens instead of getting the petrol brushcutter out. I will still use the brushcutter though but for the bigger lawns. Thanks for the sharing the video! ;-) Regards, James :-)

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome. Thanks for the comment

[@juniorslostsoul8329]

I gotta thank you for this video, had some trouble setting the dam thing up but after watching your vid I nearly died of laughter cause of how simple it was to put the guard on lol so thank you 😊

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome Thanks for the comment

[@karstengrentoft1300]

Thank you for this video. You saves me. Did not know how to assemble

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome Thanks for the comment 👍

[@ratchriat1716]

a good review and impresive tool.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@naush777]

My lawn is a jungle now. Will this do tall grass and big ugly weeds?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yes, it should easily cut weeds and tall grass as the strimmer wire is quite thick.

[@naush777]

+Ultimate Handyman wow that was a quick response. If this tackles very thick weeds as you say it does I am replacing my electric flymo trimmer. Which is a lot shorter in height and that darn wire keeps on getting in the way.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm sure it will cut thick weeds. I'll try it on some large weeds when I get chance ;-)

[@drewson2a512]

Great. Thanks for showing the fitting of the guard. Dewalt instructions on this are utterly useless.

[@chenzen431]

j'ai reçu cette machine aujourd'hui et je l'ai essayé sur mes abords. je suis surpris de son travail,elle le fait aussi bien que ma grosse débroussailleuse avec les inconvénients en moins. silencieuse,précise et maniable a souhait.en position low on a une autonomie d'environ 50 min.(recharge 45 min environ). pour plus de confort je pense qu'une batterie supplémentaire serai la bienvenue. sa qualité est bonne.je la recommande.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Oui, c'est un excellent kit. Je préfère de loin la mienne à une version essence, notamment parce qu'il n'y a pas de fumée. Merci pour le commentaire

[@loucifer4225]

4th the guard in the States is smaller

[@mattymobbs5125]

Good video thank you

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@tonyhughes2686]

Wonderful thanks

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome Thanks for the comment

[@idontgiveup6884]

thank you

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome. Thanks for the comment

[@gypanator]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome ;-)

[@freerunner7029]

can you do a video how to lay wiring and fitting and connecting electric motors to gates. all videos are american. thanks. love your videos mate.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Sorry, I missed this comment until Evsusername commented below. I'm afraid it is something I do not intend doing, sorry as it is a job best left to specialists.

[@ultimatehandyman]

That's correct. A mate of mine installs them and it is quite technical having to do force tests etc.Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@luapynneb3069]

Good strimmer but was far too long for my liking. so i cut 20cm off the main tube on my DCM561.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@paulmcgeoch2603]

I think its pretty much pointless now to buy 18v Dewalt tools when the new Flexvolt system is out because i think we will all see a full new range of power tools arriving shortly.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm still buying Dewalt 18v tools as they work fine for what I need. I just bought the 18v garden blower a few days back, its awesome ;-)Thanks for the comment

[@IIGrayfoxII]

That would make it better would it not? Shops will have the 18v on clearance to make way for new stock which means you can get a good unit cheaper.

[@jusb1066]

the current range of flexvolt is the much larger tools, tools that tradionally were not cordless, so no drills in there, maybe some to come, but i think they will be too large for a daily drill/driver, thus i think the 18v will live on as the trade size drill/driver and associated tools and the flexvolt for the big end where you need mains power but cant really get it.

[@LiamFoot]

I just got an email from DeWalt saying the new batteries are compatible with the current 18V tools. Not sure if that includes the whole range though. I don't really think there's anything wrong with buying the current tools anyway - I have three of their cordless power tools and they're all really good as it is.

[@tj9382]

Lol 5 years ago £120 from eBay, 2021, £165.

[@newportmeister]

Perfect review, and thanks for the guard fitting bit !

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@ksong1496]

Oh, great... In US, guard is so small, and that's why I couldn't really choose dewalt string trimmer, even though I have other dewalt tools. I don't know why US guys decided to use small guard without an option for large one...

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm not sure about that. My friend used it today in the back garden and loved it! It's a shame the US one is different specification!

[@LiamVideos]

Couldn't do ours could you chez :)

[@ultimatehandyman]

Unfortunately I hate gardening with a passion, I resent having to cut the grass and trim the hedges as I could spend my time doing something more productive- I think I need a gardener LOL. Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@indianapwnz9328]

I cannot fathom why it has hi and lo, who would want to trim their grass slowly ;) I mean just use scissors....

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yeah, not sure about that either- unless some people like taking their time with things!

[@zetecfiesta]

Low is ideal for doing edgings or working around delicate areas, I always use mine in low, unless i am using it for bigger stuff like ultimate handyman used his for

[@christopherray1106]

the low power to strim edges and the high power to strim grass. I use a sthil petrol but doubt the dewalt would be as good. However Sthil is blimming expensive and doesnt last as long as a pro machine should. cheers for the video

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome Chris. Sthil do make very good petrol machines! Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@Cerrighedd]

Rubbish first attempt by Dewalt, motor went after just over a year, went into limp mode. Hardly used it because it was quicker to get the small engine petrol Husqvarna out even for small jobs. Decided to give it another chance yesterday and only did a small patch before it died.

[@CHARrrrrrrrr]

I found the dewalt runs out of battery super fast

[@ultimatehandyman]

What AH battery are you using? I've been able to strim the full garden here with no issues, but it does flatten the battery much quicker than the drill, but not as fast as the grinder. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@chenzen431]

Dewalt 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Stihl fsa 90r 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@chenzen431]

I bought a dewalt 18v and after 2 uses of 40min the engine overheated. I contacted the dewalt sav on the official website and received no response. a shame for a brand like this. I regret having bought this brand. stihl make more powerful models for 100 euros more. I will never buy this brand again.(i'm french)...😆😆😆😆

[@ultimatehandyman]

A friend of mine has had a problem with his, I must check with him to see if they fixed it for him! It's not good, if this model has reliability issues! Thanks for the comment 👍🏼