Weedwhacker string problems

Bob Vila would love this group, post #105,691
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 letterman@invalid.com
 2008-07-03 13:13:06
 Weedwhacker string problems
I bought a new electric weedwhacker last fall on a closeout sale. I
finally used it today, and it started out working well, but then the
string kept breaking off INSIDE the string holder (whatever that is
called). Anyhow, I have to keep taking off that cover over the string
and pulling out more string. After that, I whack for a minute or less
and the string breaks again. I am spending more time fixing the
string than whacking weeds. (This is the original factory string, and
was would at the factory, so it should be the right string and wound
properly on the spool).

One thing I noticed is that the string is sticking to itself inside
the spool. It's like it slightly melted together in spots. It pulls
apart easily, but it seems to me that this is not right, and is likely
what is causing the problem. Once again, this is FROM THE FACTORY, so
I it should be installed properly......

Since I bought it last fall, I doubt there is any warranty coverage,
or if there is, I'll have to drive 50 miles to get it taken care of,
which I am not willing to do at todays gas prices. I'm sure there is
something I can do myself, but what?????
Maybe I should just replace the string???
I was wondering if it would help to spray some WD40 or other lubricant
on the string... ?? ? ? ????

Thanks for all advice

Spammers will be shot with my caulking, nail, soldering, or staple gun
(your choice) !
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 Eric in North TX
 2008-07-03 11:26:52
 Re: Weedwhacker string problems
On Jul 3, 1:13 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> I bought a new electric weedwhacker last fall on a closeout sale.  I
> finally used it today, and it started out working well, but then the
> string kept breaking off INSIDE the string holder (whatever that is
> called).  Anyhow, I have to keep taking off that cover over the string
> and pulling out more string.  After that, I whack for a minute or less
> and the string breaks again.  I am spending more time fixing the
> string than whacking weeds.  (This is the original factory string, and
> was would at the factory, so it should be the right string and wound
> properly on the spool).
>
> One thing I noticed is that the string is sticking to itself inside
> the spool.  It's like it slightly melted together in spots.  It pulls
> apart easily, but it seems to me that this is not right, and is likely
> what is causing the problem.  Once again, this is FROM THE FACTORY, so
> I it should be installed properly......
>
> Since I bought it last fall, I doubt there is any warranty coverage,
> or if there is, I'll have to drive 50 miles to get it taken care of,
> which I am not willing to do at todays gas prices.  I'm sure there is
> something I can do myself, but what?????
> Maybe I should just replace the string???
> I was wondering if it would help to spray some WD40 or other lubricant
> on the string... ?? ? ? ????
>
> Thanks for all advice
>
> Spammers will be shot with my caulking, nail, soldering, or staple gun
> (your choice) !

Just go buy a bulk container of proper size new line and wind it up
fresh.
Likely the included line was old and/or substandard to begin with.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 cln
 2008-07-03 12:16:21
 Re: Weedwhacker string problems
> something I can do myself, but what?????
> Maybe I should just replace the string???

>From what i remember on mine, it can take 0.80 string or smaller (.
45?) anyhoo, using bigger string broke less often.
Your going to need the extra string sooner or later. might want to
double check your weedwacker to see if it can take the bigger stuff.
cln
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 Moe
 2008-07-03 14:47:45
 Re: Weedwhacker string problems
cln wrote:
>> something I can do myself, but what?????
>> Maybe I should just replace the string???
>
> From what i remember on mine, it can take 0.80 string or smaller (.
> 45?) anyhoo, using bigger string broke less often.
> Your going to need the extra string sooner or later. might want to
> double check your weedwacker to see if it can take the bigger stuff.
> cln
The gray titanium string at Lowe's seems to work pretty well. Also
keep the string fed out and it won't be as apt to break. An like others
have said, use the largest possible. If anyone knows of better string
I'm anxious to hear.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 Pete C.
 2008-07-03 14:34:07
 Re: Weedwhacker string problems
[email protected] wrote:
>
> I bought a new electric weedwhacker last fall on a closeout sale. I
> finally used it today, and it started out working well, but then the
> string kept breaking off INSIDE the string holder (whatever that is
> called). Anyhow, I have to keep taking off that cover over the string
> and pulling out more string. After that, I whack for a minute or less
> and the string breaks again. I am spending more time fixing the
> string than whacking weeds. (This is the original factory string, and
> was would at the factory, so it should be the right string and wound
> properly on the spool).
>
> One thing I noticed is that the string is sticking to itself inside
> the spool. It's like it slightly melted together in spots. It pulls
> apart easily, but it seems to me that this is not right, and is likely
> what is causing the problem. Once again, this is FROM THE FACTORY, so
> I it should be installed properly......
>
> Since I bought it last fall, I doubt there is any warranty coverage,
> or if there is, I'll have to drive 50 miles to get it taken care of,
> which I am not willing to do at todays gas prices. I'm sure there is
> something I can do myself, but what?????
> Maybe I should just replace the string???
> I was wondering if it would help to spray some WD40 or other lubricant
> on the string... ?? ? ? ????
>
> Thanks for all advice
>
> Spammers will be shot with my caulking, nail, soldering, or staple gun
> (your choice) !

Probably low grade line. Pickup a spool of quality profiled (hex,
spline, etc.) nylon trimmer line and load it carefully. The profiled
line cuts better due to the sharper edges, and the line is generally
better quality as well. Even with quality line it can be a pain to load
properly. There are a lot of different trimmer head designs out there
and some work better than others. On the gas powered units it is usually
possible to change to a different style head. On electric ones you're
usually stuck with what it came with.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 SteveB
 2008-07-04 03:11:31
 Re: Weedwhacker string problems
[email protected] wrote:

> I bought a new electric weedwhacker last fall on a closeout sale. I
> finally used it today, and it started out working well, but then the
> string kept breaking off INSIDE the string holder (whatever that is
> called). Anyhow, I have to keep taking off that cover over the string
> and pulling out more string. After that, I whack for a minute or less
> and the string breaks again. I am spending more time fixing the
> string than whacking weeds.

I've found that technique is important.

If you let the string get short, it tends to break more easily. Keep the
string as long as you can, and allow only the very tip of the string to
contact the ground. The place the string tends to break is right at the
exit point from the head. That's where it bends back and forth.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 mm
 2008-07-05 02:37:43
 Re: Weedwhacker string problems
Sketch out on paper how the sppool is inserted and how the string is
wound before you remove it. Maybe I have too much imaginatino, but
I've always found that those arrows. if present, can be interpretted
in two ways.

On Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:13:06 -0500, [email protected] wrote:

>I bought a new electric weedwhacker last fall on a closeout sale. I
>finally used it today, and it started out working well, but then the
>string kept breaking off INSIDE the string holder (whatever that is
>called). Anyhow, I have to keep taking off that cover over the string
>and pulling out more string. After that, I whack for a minute or less
>and the string breaks again. I am spending more time fixing the
>string than whacking weeds. (This is the original factory string, and
>was would at the factory, so it should be the right string and wound
>properly on the spool).
>
>One thing I noticed is that the string is sticking to itself inside
>the spool. It's like it slightly melted together in spots. It pulls
>apart easily, but it seems to me that this is not right, and is likely
>what is causing the problem. Once again, this is FROM THE FACTORY, so
>I it should be installed properly......
>
>Since I bought it last fall, I doubt there is any warranty coverage,
>or if there is, I'll have to drive 50 miles to get it taken care of,
>which I am not willing to do at todays gas prices. I'm sure there is
>something I can do myself, but what?????
>Maybe I should just replace the string???
>I was wondering if it would help to spray some WD40 or other lubricant
>on the string... ?? ? ? ????
>
>Thanks for all advice
>
>Spammers will be shot with my caulking, nail, soldering, or staple gun
>(your choice) !
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 jacko
 2008-07-05 20:08:46
 Re: Weedwhacker string problems
OP said:
One thing I noticed is that the string is sticking to itself inside
the spool. It's like it slightly melted together in spots. It pulls
apart easily, but it seems to me that this is not right, and is likely
what is causing the problem. Once again, this is FROM THE FACTORY, so
I it should be installed properly......

Don't assume that because it's from the factory that it must be right. They
make mistakes in China as well as here.
This sounds like the wrong size string or the string wound the wrong way.


"mm" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:qi5u64tpve62o2domdr9tmlqk6d41dh4t3@4ax.com...
>
>
>
> Sketch out on paper how the sppool is inserted and how the string is
> wound before you remove it. Maybe I have too much imaginatino, but
> I've always found that those arrows. if present, can be interpretted
> in two ways.
>
> On Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:13:06 -0500, [email protected] wrote:
>
>>I bought a new electric weedwhacker last fall on a closeout sale. I
>>finally used it today, and it started out working well, but then the
>>string kept breaking off INSIDE the string holder (whatever that is
>>called). Anyhow, I have to keep taking off that cover over the string
>>and pulling out more string. After that, I whack for a minute or less
>>and the string breaks again. I am spending more time fixing the
>>string than whacking weeds. (This is the original factory string, and
>>was would at the factory, so it should be the right string and wound
>>properly on the spool).
>>
>>One thing I noticed is that the string is sticking to itself inside
>>the spool. It's like it slightly melted together in spots. It pulls
>>apart easily, but it seems to me that this is not right, and is likely
>>what is causing the problem. Once again, this is FROM THE FACTORY, so
>>I it should be installed properly......
>>
>>Since I bought it last fall, I doubt there is any warranty coverage,
>>or if there is, I'll have to drive 50 miles to get it taken care of,
>>which I am not willing to do at todays gas prices. I'm sure there is
>>something I can do myself, but what?????
>>Maybe I should just replace the string???
>>I was wondering if it would help to spray some WD40 or other lubricant
>>on the string... ?? ? ? ????
>>
>>Thanks for all advice
>>
>>Spammers will be shot with my caulking, nail, soldering, or staple gun
>>(your choice) !
>