How to Make a Lawn Levelling Tool
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- When levelling your lawn a 'Lawn Levelling Tool' or Lute is an essential piece of kit but expensive! Watch as I show you how to make your own for under £50.
Proper DIY Patreon Page: / properdiy
Amazon links to the tools and materials used in this video...
UK Links:
► Bosch Point TeQ HSS Drill Bits: amzn.to/3NGWKqm
► Steel 30x30mm Angle: amzn.to/3DzT19r
► Heavy Duty Gate Hinge: amzn.to/3K8Xlij
US Links:
► Bosch Twist Point Drill Bit: amzn.to/36MMyMz
► Heavy Duty Gate Hinge: amzn.to/37bwGmC
The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tip on screwing, use countersink screws inserted from the bottom, which allows you to use a lock nut from the top, no need to cut threads.
Just left the army as have been suffering with PTSD and I’ve been trying to do my own DIY to stay busy. Just discovered this channel and I’m learning a ton. Thanks mate 👍
Sorry to hear that, hope you are doing great/better now : )
Thank you for your service.
hope your doing better mate
Day at a time mate, day at a time. I've been working outdoors in the garden even though it's pissing down and it helps clear my head.
🫡
Many thanks for your service 🙏 Respect to you...
A testament to a good channel, I have absolutely no need or use for something like this, but enjoyed every minute of your video. Keep up the great work. 👍
Thank you 'Home Maintenance'!
A garden project with plenty of DIY tips, fantastic.
Have to concur with 'Home maintenance' as well, this channel is synonymous with good content and engaging to watch
Thank You!
I made one from the dimensions here but used countersunk headed bolts and came up from the underside enabling good locking of the nuts and no need for ends to be cut off. I also used second flat plates on the underside of the higher lengths to get a completely flat surface as well as adding weight.
Thanks for the advice. How many additional bolts did you use to connect the flats?
Great project Stuart. Don’t start me on angle grinders. Two tales … Firstly my mate cut me some metal and was wearing glasses and goggles. A shard shot through both and sat in his eye. I couldn’t look at him driving to hospital 🤮 The shard was removed and his eye healed. Secondly, I once went for a job interview at the boss’ house. He was having metal gates installed and the workmen were grinding away. As I looked out of his window I saw sparks flying straight in the direction of my car. I thought it’ll be fine. As there were a group of us being interviewed, I couldn’t really excuse myself but the sparks flying preyed on my mind. Anyway interview over and I ran outside. My windows had been peppered with hot metal and I needed two new windows! The boss paid my excess but I didn’t get the job. Loving your videos. Cheers.
19 minutes of MASTERCLASS!!! What a pleasure it is to watch you meticulously execute a task and it's the small tips that really do it for me. I note a professional gardener has just complemented you- Premier Lawns........his channel is also wonderful for all your lawncare tips.
Thanks for the shoutout!
Well thank you Hitesh - I'm glad you liked it.
Made one of aluminium a few years ago, it works great and is surprisingly heavy. 30” wide and 18” deep and I used a soldering system to join the pieces backed up with pop rivets.
This is ace. I’ve been dragging a pallet around on a rope
Pretty much how I made mine, just a different hinge mechanism.
Will serve you well and last a lifetime.
Hi Stuart
Wow mate I’m impressed. That is bang on not used one in many years now, as my first trade as teenager was a head green keeper for 14 lovely year
Ps
Don’t forget to cut the grass first before you apply the top dressing Otherwise it will be hard work mate
Great video 👍👍👍👍
Never seen one of these before. We get lots of worm casts in our lawn, making it rather bumpy. I guess part of this tools job is to knock these back. Looking forward to seeing it in action and how it performs, nice one Stuart
Thank you Simon. Levelling in a couple of weeks!
How funny, I've recently been enjoying videos of tractors pulling "Land planes".. they are used to re regrade stone tracks etc
This is the hand held version.
So glad I found this. I’ve been looking on and off for a year for a lute and they are prohibitively expensive.
Always clearly presented and interesting.
Hope to see you use this. I have never heard of this tool. Loved the clever use of the hinge. Love how your mind is thinking ahead to prevent making mistakes.
Thanks Pamela. Very common in the US for lawns - not so common in the UK. It's all about planning.
I have no grass and can’t see that ever changing but I’m so addicted to this channel, love it.
Thanks
Shade, gradient, idea, colour remarkable m8
Built it today. Very happy with your instructions; thank you!
You could set-up your laser at the side of your lawn, & get a laser-line detector that is fixed to the top of your 'lawn-leveler', so you can see/hear the beeps if it needs more,or less soil at that particular spot.. 👍🙂
Thank you so much for making this video. I’ve been looking at lutes since lockdown. I just couldn’t justify paying so much for something so simple. Always thought quite straight forward to make. Now I know exactly how to do it, I’ll get on it over the weekend.
And now this is a channel worthy of a subscription 👏 🙌
Thank you, looks good. I'd be tempted to use flat head wafer thin bolts coming up from underneath plus bolts to save cutting threads and grinding off. Admittedly raises the bars a little.
I think one of these will be on the list for next year’s lawn renovation.
Find a pallet with wide gaps between the boards or remove a couple of boards. Tie 2 pieces of rope to the sides of the pallet, turn it upside down then drag it over the area you need levelling. pulling the rope saves you walking over the level ground. Drag from side to side with two people.. When you have finished burn the pallet to keep warm.
And the size of the lawn in video will be torture with a lute
With a lawn as big as his, I'd want something to tow behind a lawn tractor.
Well done good video. Would have thought a split pin and a drilled hole and washer would have been better than a jubilant clip though. LOL 👏👍👏👍👏👍🏴
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, with heavy equipment, large dumpsters of storm debris my lawn is deeply rutted, bumpy, and on the verge of dangerous to walk on (ankle injuries from uneven surfaces) so this video is of real interest to me as we rebuild.
Thanks!
No problem
I made my lute from 25 x 25 mm batten timber. Works great and just if you’re wondering it is very heavy. Cuts through high spots with ease.
I watched this the whole way through and i dont even have a garden 😂
Nice one!
😂😂😂
I have been considering buying a 'real' one, but seeing your efforts I think that I will have a go with your design. I have scoped-out some metal-work, and I think that I will go with the slotted stuff as it is a bit lighter. I still need to figure out how to fit the handle, as I can't find a similar hinge to yours, but I will bodge something together.
If all else fails, I will use an up-turned wooden pallet.
Kudos to you for showing fire safety here.
I ready don't want the workshop to go up in smoke
I am 75 and this is the first time I’ve have seen this tool. I used to use a roller, you don’t see them so much now.
They work in reverse ways. The roller compacts the high spots, while the Lute levels the 'tossed on the grass' soil and sand mixture to fill all the low spots.
Mate - 10 videos later. I've bought a bloody sprinkler system and now a lawn level 😄 subbed
Nice one!
Those Bosch point tq bits are excellent.
Great job, Stuart. Another tool to your arsenal. May I suggest...
Would drilling through the hinge spigot and adding an R pin (hinch?) make the job even more professional looking than it is already, so you get rid of the jubilee clip? Just a thought. ?? 👍👍🇬🇧
If you want to achieve the same results with a minimal budget or work then attach a loop of rope to an upturned small pallet and pull that across the lawn like a drag mat 👍
The hinge is pure genius 👏
Thanks
Great engineering my friend . Bet a welder couldn't have done it like you did 👍
Thanks 👍
Just made your flute slight modification to yours instead of a jubilee clip I used a big washer and a R pin so that it can be easily assembled/disassembled and easier storage had to grind off some of the angle so the handle can slide off
Your lutes a beaut!
Nice one
Made my day hearing jubilee clip rather than hose clip.
Totally agree 😊
That's what my dad used to call it so that's good enough for me!
I'm making one of these soon as I don't have a lawn yet but just an uneven garden area which we want to level over nicely ready for our top surface, I'm a welder so will be welding my example and maybe adding some small teeth to the underneath of the lute to give a cutting action to the ground which is a mixture of earth, shingle and old roots (-:
Well done.
Great video, I’ve fancied one of these for a while but they are overpriced. I dismantled a steel box framed gazebo last year & kept the parts with the idea of making one out of it. You made it look easy, can’t wait to see it in use 👍
Thanks
Enjoyed this video (as usual). Although I admit to being totally intrigued as to how it actually works! Guess I’ll have to wait until the next video. Is the idea that it actually slices off chunks of turf where it’s too high and drags those sliced chunks into lower levels? But wouldn’t that completely mess up the lawn by spreading soil everywhere? Presumably if the peaks and troughs in the lawn are that pronounced you’re better just getting out the spade, lifting the top turf, dig out the unnecessary soil and then relay the top turf back down?
Usually sand is added to the lawn and then leveled using the tool. It can help when overseeding too.
Very nice job, well done, you can use a metal bed frame for the steel, everyone around you put it to garbage ! :)
For the bolts, use a mechanical one with round head under the frame, for tighting, use a flat washer + luck washer and a nut.
Excellent video, subscribed straight away.
Absolutely brilliant.
If you prefer a flat bottom, you can put slots in the side pieces, so that the longer pieces can be underneath.
Spring is on the way, I wanted to level my lawn too before reseeding. Lawn Loute’s are stupid expensive, so super idea 👏🏻
This is now on my list of projects 🥳
Edit: both WILKO and B&Q are now selling one for £44, so not sure I can justify the project 😅
I actually made this and used your links to buy the parts. It did work out ok, but the grinder cuttings was a bit scary!
I'm not entirely sure the bolts will remain tight, so I added a 10x4 mm rivet as well.
I really think it would be better welded, but unsure where I could take it and need to consider the cost.
The total costs came to approx. £80, so I don't think the saving was worth the effort to buy one from eBay?
Anyway a good project (but I ruined a fleece jacket as the sparks from the grinder melted it) - so additional cost.
Great work!!
Nice job, might make one of these this spring
many thanks😎
Much needed here!!! Definitely a job for my Aldi welder!!!
oooh, is it any good? what sort of price was it?
Go for it
Your timing is excellent, thanks soooooo much 👍
No problem
Jubilee clip ? Drill and split pin ?
Really helpful video thanks. Reading through the comments a lot of people are asking for advice on regrouting. Would you be able to advise on how to do this please or whether you’ve used/recommend the ready made mixes you can buy. I have a large patio to repair and would rather do it right first time! Thank you.
I’m definitely doing this one. The price of them is ridiculous. Excellent video.
Another good one Stuart. I can't help thinking it would have been worth investing in a low cost welder. I did arc & gas welding / braising when I was an apprentice many years ago but never since so like you I don't have the kit to do any welding. I also have a cordless angle grinder so I think a full face mask is now on the shopping list. 👍
Thanks Colin. I would like to do some welding but it will be a long time before I feel I can show anyone hold to do it!
Another enjoyable video with some very useful learning points along the way. A well made product and should set you up for some 'work outs' in the garden! As I had taken delivery of new lawn lute 2 days ago I started to wonder if I'd been a bit hasty but after watching the video and not having all the tools and skills you have, it probably was a reasonable buy.... I hope? Really looking forward to seeing future lawn videos.
You are One of the best because you talk and explain all the details so I’m very interested to fallow your posts and I have a question for this item. What do you think if add 4 bearings on each corner? Does it work for moving early and save the energy? I think the height of bearing is important.
Thank you so much.
Sorry for outdo correction,lol. I repeat it: Does it work for moving easily and…?
Real nice project for a bad weather day !
Exactly
you will have so many !! could sell them to viewers or ebay 😆
You know what you at. Well done.
Thank you
Great video... might copy this ready for the lawn levelling video.... my lawn is in extreme need of levelling... (although why I'm bothering when I'll just nacker it all with my kids padding pool is anyone's guess) #dadlife
Don't worry, it's just what father's have to do!
It is not simply a case of a cutting disk wearing and then shattering as it gets thin if you use it as a grinding disk but the fact the cutting disc has no real strength in tension. You should not use it even once for grinding - a new one can easily shatter the first time you try to grind with it.
As for using the angle grinder to clean up the cut edges - use a file and get a bit of exercise and you wont have sparks (and tiny bits of metal ) bouncing round the workshop,you'll save a tiny bit of electricity and help the environment.
Top tip - don't put a fire extinquisher on the edge of a bench. Experience tells me you will knock it off
Good job
I bought some of those drills from that shopping channel, all I can say is that they must use different ones on air.
after watching your video i decided to make a larger one for our mini loader
width: 1600 mm
length: 1050 mm
also will be adding some teeth on it so we can dig or loosen up the gound if needed for upto: 100 mm
thank you for a fab idea
😍💪👍
Nice one! That's a monster!
Great video and well thought out project. I was wondering if you stored your lawnmower petrol around there somewhere as you started grinding! Our garage had a 35 gallon oil drum in which we tipped all the old oil etc. Someone was grinding something, a spark went in and there was an almighty bang! A battery which had been on the top, ended up 30 feet away!
Hey Mister the wheels have fallen off your Hoover... sorry I couldn't resist.
How have you found it works leveling soil or sand.
I'm new to your video's and have found them to be helpful and entertaining at the same time.
excellent vids.. thanks for your service
great video thanks for showing me how easy it is to build one of these lawn lutes, like you I was astonished at the price these items reach on the the likes of amazon. I will be buying a welder soon as i want to learn to weld so mine will most likely be welded together insteads of bolted.
And yet again 'absoLUTEly' (see what I did there) no need of one but I still watched the whole of the way through! Cheers.
But just think, one day you may need one so see it as an investment.
Came across your great videos a few weeks ago and enjoy your videos not only for your great work /great ideas but I really enjoy the way you present/explain things 🙂
I looked at this project and ponder a query
instead of tapping threads into 3.5 mm steel (which can never be that strong )
would counter sink from below and using a double nut on top not be easier ?
or for that matter - would pop rivets be strong enough ??
great work whichever way you believe 🙂
Great video Stuart. Thanks.
Thanks
Welll done, great video !!! I to have been in the market for one, and these are expensive. Will try this for the summer !!
Nice one Lance
Great project. My only concern is if thread lock will do after hours of work?
Nice work Stuart. 👍
Thanks
Nice, but a losing battle when Mr Mole visits again every time I clear the evidence of his last intrusion!
There you go, clearly works well….good for you…..
Thank you
All it needs is a little harness for Speedy the snail and then you can put him to work.
Now that's a thought
I was thinking 3.5mm is just not enough meat for them M6 screws and was about to suggest split washers and threadlock but you came good and did it yourself, well done. I would have used Loctite 638 though but anything is better than nothing. I reckon you could have gone bigger with the lute but that might be too much weight to drag around. Have you already got a scarifier and aerator?
Hi Stu, I'm looking to make one of these but thought I could use bed bolts inserted from below, so the finish at the bottom is already round and smooth. This would just leave them visible on the top which I'm not sure would interfere with it's function at all?
Thanks for the video.. What is that neon green marking "pen"?
I learned a lot about drilling through steel, so now I am off to watch the video you mentioned. Will you please post the name of the "green paint tool" you used to mark the drilling position on the broom handle? I am in awe of your ability to explain what you are doing with such ease and clarity and I certainly enjoy the chuckle-worthy comments, facial expressions, and gestures.
It's called a Marxman Pen
Really good video thank you I am in the process of making your lute I have the main framework made but I would to know where you got your gate hinge from I am having problems finding a heavy duty cranked gate hinge thank you
Screw fix heavy duty cranked gate hinge about £8.75
defo not the time to buy or even try to buy steel prices are crazy! i buy sheet by the ton but held back last week price had quadrupled so looks like a hard time at work for the near future , and if you source it
Man, chuck that tap in the drill and go to town. Material that thin is not trouble to power tap with a drill. Just dab a little oil and make sure it's straight. If you're worried still, set your clutch to the lowest setting and go up a setting until you make it through. Then you can go ahead and do the rest of the holes on that setting and if the tap binds, the clutch will slip and keep the tap from breaking.
Great video just let down by number of adverts. Maybe a glitch in the matrix. I'll see how many I get on next.
Yes I was bombarded today too. Unless TH-cam has changed its ad frequency algorithm I assume it’s a glitch
Would a small pallet do the same job.
Really enjoyed watching. Any chance you could do a video on grinder how too...tips? Even something short on patreon?
Doubt a lute will be much good on my new build lawn. ☹ Does anyone know of a steam roller for hire??! 😄
It has crossed my mind to get my wacker plate on the high spots!
What's that center marker with powder called? Looks really nifty.
Sir,
May I suggest reversing the orientation of the bolts to put the head down in use. Also re-do the tapped and straight bore holes as well. With the threads of the bolts facing upward there is available room for a washer and a nut with the 30 x 30 shielding the threads (no cutting off of threads). The square build of this project means that there will eventually be diagonal movement (turning the square shape into a diamond), so the extra rigidity would be a plus.
If he did put the bolts in "upside down" he would then scratch his grass in the process of using it, though. That would defeat the purpose.
Difficult to countersunk a hole in 3.5mm steel
@@Markusbloodpet
No, not so. The head of the bolt is inconsequential in a "Lawn Leveling operation". Scarification of the Lumpy-Bumpies and the subsequent filling in of the low spots is the very object of the exercise - and that isn't a gentle operation.
If that underneath exposed hex head is such a problem for your uniquely delicate grass you could simply exchange the common bolts shown for Carriage Bolts where the rounded heads would protect that unusually delicate grass of yours.
I would imagine that it's much more important to increase the holding force at the bolts (to keep the entire unit from "wracking" first one way and then the other, ending up a 'floppy mess on the end of a stick'). The 3.5 mm of threads won't last long facing Stewart's energetic efforts in his lawn leveling operation. Not the first time it is used nor other times in the future.
I think you will find dropping the lute forward is problematic, I did. I altered my lute to drop backwards. The advantage was when putting the lute on the ground it will drop forward read to start work.
Proper British measurement 900mm wide by 14 inches deep. Perfect 👍🏻. 😁😁
Exactly. I don't know how many times I heard my carpenters on site ask for a bit of 4x2 ....1244mm long! I've just worked out how to keep all of my audience happy!
@@ProperDIY 100%. That means both the European and Americans understand 50% each too
Great video I bought one last year only if you made the video then lol
Oops. Saw you using this... asked for a 'home brew'
Excellent design logic.
Steel handle or Al please.
2 off 900 + 2 off 350 = 2.5m? Where did the hinge support pieces come from? A third 2.5m piece?
Makes you wonder as a landscape gardener or lawn care expert would have a lute already in his artillery whether its worth just paying him to come and level it for you given that a lute is not going to be use very often at all.....good video though if you want your own as they still cost over £80 even secondhand......