Sheen X300 Weed Control Flame Gun

Arrives assembled and ready to use ,instructions easy to follow ,does the job intended for, easy to use kills weeds ect

Over the course of the last few months this Sheen has proven to be the most effective method of weed control on a car park with a surface of scalpings. Over the years long-established horsetail, along with evening primrose, buddleia seedlings, grasses etc. had become harder to knock back with herbicides in the heat of the summer. The Sheen is far quicker and easier to use than a sprayer; no need to wear PPE, especially necessary with horsetail herbicides. A regular 1-2 week treatment burns off the weeds killed previously and catches any new growth. Over the course of a few weeks the surviving weeds get weaker and weaker and so the treatments take less time. It's also nice that the effect is instant. It's obviously important to be really careful when using one of these in the summer months. The flame is powerful and fierce. We choose a still day, keep a hose at hand, Sheen in one hand and full watering can in the other and work backwards, dowsing anything which ignites. Also keeping well away from any surrounding vegetation. There's lots of info on lighting the burner out there. The main thing is to keep the valve closed until the flame is roaring, then as the vaporised fuel starts running out and the flame begins to dwindle, that's the time to open up. Kerosene is much cheaper than paraffin, both work equally well. We decided to remove the nozzle for inspection, and found it impossible to screw back in using the long tool provided - it just wanted to cross-thread. We ended up removing the chimney and needed to carefully dress the nozzle thread start to get over this. But in future we'll just periodically slacken and tighten the nozzle rather than fully removing, to ensure nothing gets seized over time. The product is solidly built but is quite expensive for what it is, no doubt because it is manufactured in the UK. It comes fully assembled so just a matter of fuelling up. Spares do appear to be pricey too, so it's probably worth seeking out generic parts for things like seals and wicks. If it's looked after and kept in the dry it should last a lifetime. The instructions provide everything you need to know, there's not a metric quantity in sight, and amusingly (given how many years the product's been around for proof-reading) the first paragraph starts with a typo. In summary, a great tool for keeping on top of pernicious weeds on rough ground, gravel etc. where there's no chance of setting light to surrounding vegetation.

Tricky to get going but once going it reek total devastation on the weeds they become exweeds and no longer of this earth just bear scorched earth

It took a couple of attempts on first use but once you get the hang of it it performs extremely well. It seems you have to keep it angled downwards so that the hot end is well below the tank. That’s a bit of a nuisance in a way. I have an elevated section that I must climb up before I can use the burner.

My father had one of these over fifty yers ago. Seems to be almsot the same tool with the same powerful flame. Great weed killer - though it's not totally "eco-friendly" of course as it is still using a form of petroleum liquid and, to be frank, you do have to go over the same ground more often than with a long-term weedkiller. That said, it is probably cheaper to use - albeit after you have made the initial investment.

this item in well made but requires care and attention while it is in use. great item for keeping paths clear. very powerful tool for clearing weeds

Very useful indeed

they are all solved now. The thing leaked paraffin down my trouser leg. Not the best thing to happen. So, ready to give someone a piece of my mind, I rang the makers. No answer. Their phone line was (and may still be) permanently engaged. But an email to them was answered within half an hour. We worked out that the pressure gauge was leaking. A new one came in the post; this time it had PTFE tape on it (the lack of which caused the problem). Bob's yer uncle. So, email the maker if there's a problem with yours. And if it leaks and your leg gets covered in paraffin, switch off and FACE IN TO THE WIND (so that you can breathe if your leg goes up in flames.) Good luck with yours!