If you’re an enthusiastic homeowner, then you’re aware of how important a weed eater is as part of your yard work tools collection. Unlike lawn mowers, a weed eater is a fantastic power tool that provides you with the convenience of trimming grass and weeds around trees, rocks, and under fences. But, just like most power tools, using your weed eater continuously (whether gas, electric, or battery-powered) will expose the thin plastic strings to wear due to frequent contact with grass, weeds, rocks, and other obstacles. So, to reduce the frustration most people might experience, this short guide will discuss how to string a weed eater to restore it back to its former glory.
But, before you can begin, it’s always good to understand that weed eaters come in different shapes and sizes. They also come in two major categories that are the single-sided and the dual-sided versions. In addition, the direction of loading the trimmer line on the spool will vary depending on the brand so you have to be careful before you begin the process. With that said, this guide has put together an 8 step guide that will work with any weed eater brand from Husqvarna, Homelite, Echo, to Troy Bilt among others.
How to String a Weed Wacker: Step by Step Guide
Things You’ll need
- Weedeater string
- A pair of scissors
Part One: Stringing a Weed Eater
Step One
Turn Off the Weed Eater: In case you are using the weed eater, the first step is of course to turn it off. When you’re done, spare some time to go through the instruction manual. This will help you to understand the type of trimmer line you’re supposed to use as each model differs greatly. However, in most cases, gas-powered weed eater uses the 0.080 and 0.095 inches lines while most electric-powered versions use 0.065 inches lines.
Step Two
Remove the Spool: Now, there are different ways you can remove the spool depending on the model of your specific weed eater. Some models will require you to squeeze it to release the tabs on the cover while others will require you to unscrew a couple of screws to detach the spool from the trimmer.
Step Three
Clean the Spool: It’squite likely the spool will have some dirt, grass, weeds, and a piece of trimming line left in the inside. Before you continue, it’s good to clean it thoroughly by removing such debris.
Step Four
Cut the String: Once you’re done with the spool, you can now cut the trimming line or the string. Just to be sure, it’s wise to always consult your user manual to have an idea of how much line is enough. In case there’s no manual to refer to, don’t panic.
As a rule of thumb, cutting a line anywhere from 15 – 25 ft. will be enough. If the line is too long, you can always modify it by cutting the extra ends when you’re done. For the case of a dual-sided weed eater, cut two identical lines with the same lengths.
Step Five
Start Restringing: To restring, you’ll have to identify the hole on the spool where you’ll be inserting the string. Pull one end of the string about 6 inches then wind the rest of the line around the spool. Always follow the direction of the arrows when stringing since some will need to string clockwise and others anticlockwise depending on the model.
When winding, always do it slowly and neatly to avoid jams later on. When you’re done, snap the 6-inch line on the spool’s retainer to hold it.
Now, if you’re stringing a dual-sided weed eater, you’ll need to follow this process on both holes. Remember to leave 6 inches of line on both sides and don’t forget to snap them on the retainer to be held firmly.
Step Six
Replace the Spool: So, once you’re done wrapping the line around the spool, the next step is to replace the spool back into the weed eater. But before doing that, make sure that you remove the 6-inch line from the retainer to the exit slots. This will ensure that the string is held tightly while making the feeding process quite smooth.
When you’re done, slide the spool back into the cover and secure it tightly using the tubs or screws depending on your specific model. Make sure the string is moving freely and that it’s no longer than the line limiter blade on the weed eater’s shield.
For the case of a dual-sided weed trimmer, you have to remove the lines from the retainers and insert them through the machine’s eyelets or the exit holes. When you’re done, slide the spool on the trimmer’s head and secure it using screws or tabs depending on the specific model.
Part Two: Proper Maintenance of a Weed Eater
Now that we’ve discussed some steps on how to string your weed eater, let’s conclude this short guide by highlighting some steps on how to specifically maintain your trimming string.
- When tapping the spool to feed more string, always remember to keep the trimmer parallel to the ground to avoid hitting rocks and other obstacles.
- Always pay attention to the sound of the weed eater to know when it’s time to restring.
- Avoid tapping the trimmer time after time. This can cause it to release more string, which will end up being cut by the limiter blade. This will cause you to run out of string in just a short while which is of course a waste.
- If possible, pay attention to the size of the spool when shopping for a weed eater. Remember, the bigger the spool is, the more the string it can hold. This in return will help your string last longer before it restringed again.
- Something else you need to be aware of is the issue of leaving your weed eater in direct sunlight. This practice can easily damage your string due to deterioration caused by heat.
Conclusion
There you have it. In case you’ve been wondering how exactly to string your weed eater, then this short guide has offered you everything that’s needed to begin. But, before you can start, it’s good to always start by reading the user manual to understand your specific weed trimmer. Secondly, avoid winding too much string on the spool to avoid logging the string on the weed eater’s holes as this can make it hard to feed the line.