THE BIG SECRET about trimmer line on any brand like Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, to SAVE YOU TONS MONEY!
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- Опубліковано 25 лют 2022
- DO NOT throw away your old, brittle trimmer line! Save a ton of money with this SUPER EASY TRICK!!
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My name is Bre. I took two years of small engine repair at the local college. When I left school, I fell into a wonderful job at a local small engine shop where I worked the counter for a couple years. In 2010 my husband and I opened up our own small engine shop in central Arkansas where I am able to work alongside my family and best friends. We see over 2,000 pieces of small engine equipment every year, and answer 1,000's of small engine questions. We specialize in brands such as Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Echo and Shindaiwa, but work everyday on MANY other brands like Stihl, Husqvarna, Honda, Craftsman, Remington, Red Max, Troy Bilt, Scag, Bad Boy, Hustler, World Lawn, Poulan, Mantis, Etc.. Hopefully, my experience I share, will save you Time, Money and Frustration in the future!
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A Ton.
My Stihl dealer told me the bucket of water trick a few years ago and it does help, but the problem I was having was the line pinching on itself in the spool and it would not feed. I discovered several years ago a sure fire trick and that is to shoot a little silicone spray on the line, this was a game changer for me. Hope this helps someone else.
I used WD 40 in my line soak But I did/and still do use silicone spray for a hell of a lot of things that called for dry lubrication as a Timber Miller and Heavy Industry Mechanical Fitter
Thanks for sharing that tip - I have the same issue and was looking for a solution. I’ll give it a try.
dang, good tip for this season! I gotta spool mine up and trim the fence line anyways...
Smart
Dumb question; Exactly what are you spraying with the silicone spray? Do you spool it up and spray the line?, lay it out flat...? How should I do it?
I was a Echo certified master technician before I retired and was a small engine mechanic for decades , I personally worked on the small engine equipment for over 50 landscapers every year as well as everyone else who came in the door. And I can say that you are spot-on . One thing to keep an eye on is the eyelets that the line goes through if they are worn they can cut the line.
Thank you
I used Huge old Echos in the mill and bushland cutting railway sleepers, I had one arm near double the size of the other, heavy old things lol
And they wear harder with with the hard edges of non-round line.
I use 065 line for my Black and Decker, what weed eater line can last longer getting beat up against sidewalks and cement, any guess.
Unfortunately you're using the thinnest line made for a weed eater and I have never found any that size that can hold up well to concrete , sorry
Another thing that works well is to store your spool of trimmer line in a sealed ziplock bag with a splash of water inside. Keeps it hydrated and flexible indefinitely. Great video as always 🫶
Zip ties too.
Things you learn at 50....🤦
@@michaelray5595 never stop learning 🫶
I've done this for years, I put two wet sponges one on each side of the packaging the line is in. And I fill the bag up with about an inch of water, then I seal that bag up, and put it inside another big bag and seal that up to. So it doesn't leak.
Calling out a gimmick these days is kind of rare. But much appreciated. Sometimes you can just tell that a simple product has been ‘overthought’ just to gain a competitive advantage. Good stuff.
Yup, and it also crossed my mind that the diamond shaped line uses less material (I'm guessing) so they get to spend less on manafacture and more mark up on 'the new hotness'..Total scam!
Never would have I ever thought about reconditioning trimming line in water! Thank you for sharing this video.
Hello Chickanic and viewers.
Talked with one of our QA engineers about string trimmer string and how to maintain it because it is made of nylon product.
He said all you have to do it put your spools/string in a ziplock type plastic bag with a tablespoon of water. He said you want to see moisture on the inside of the bag, then pull it out of the bag when you need to use your string trimmers no need to dry it.
QA engineer said it works anytime you are not using your string cartridges or even your bulk string packs.
Said it also works with anything that is made of nylon to make it more flexible before snapping an assembly together, think automotive trims and interior nylon components.
BTW we work at a large lawn, garden and tool MFG.
Good going Chickanic! 🙃😉😊😛🤑🤗🤨
Great video. I'm 67 and have been whipper snipping for many years. Today I learnt something. Certainly after the COVID lockdowns I've noticed the lines were breaking far more often. Now I know to soak the line... Thx from Down Under.
In my 40 years of owning and using weedeaters, in many different sizes, shapes, and sources of power, I am a VERY satisfied ECHO owner. In all their equipment I've used. In saying that, I'm a firm believer and extremely satisfied use of their Black Diamond line. I've never found a better line. And I've used just about every kind, and I DO buy in bulk when it comes to line. Your tips about hydrating dry line to bring it back to workable grade is spot on. And from reading the comments, a couple of shots from the WD-40 can in the feeder holes after line change is another great tip. I've done it for many years and never have spooled line wrap on and cut itself off.
Nicely done video and channel. Cheers!
What an interesting tip. I didn't even realize that nylon was hygroscopic until seeing this video and doing some follow up research. Always a great day when I learn something interesting!
POINTS! It's refreshing when someone offers good, correct advise that could cost sales. You obviously know that honesty and helping customers will get you a whole lot further, in the long run. THANK YOU
I appreciate that!
Thanks Chickanic great video, didn’t know that about hydration of the string trim 👍
@@Chickanic oil mix 1:33 husqvarna 372 xp 357 xp is ok ?
It doesn't cost sales, it builds trust. You will have more people coming to you if they trust you. In the end, this will increase sales.
It absolutely works wonders for a business to give the right advice, even if the customer has to go elsewhere to get the thing you don't have, but reccomend. If sales staff play dumb, when you ask "can you recommend someone/something that could help" I'm not going back for anything.
Cooperation will yield more than competition if you do it well.
Chickanic, I am totally in love with you!!
As a farmer I have used all types of trimmer line, however using the echo Black Diamond trimmer line does make a big difference when you are using it in the fields/orchards trying to cut thick woody weeds. The Black Diamond line will go through the woody weeds like butter, while the round line takes more effort and a longer time to cut through and throws more debris. However you are correct when using it to edge your lawn, save your money. I hope you will stock and recommend the Black Diamond line in bulk for though of us using trimmer line in orchard or clearing lots/acreage where the weeds are tall, thick, and woody. It will save you time, money and cleanup in the long run.
Another tip is to run trimmer at lowest possible rpm for what you're trying to cut. Especially when cutting around hard surfaces like concrete or brick. The line breaks way less often when I ease off on the throttle
Gotta be careful, cuz 2 stroke motors are meant to be ran wide open. Oftentimes, running at low reps for a long time will cause carbon buildup
A trick I learned from a neighbor: Take out the spool, get a small roll of .095 or .105. Get a vice grip pliers and tie a knot in the end. Heat this knot just enough to soften the plastic and pull the end with the vice grip. Cut it to a length that clears the cutter blade inside the guard. Put one or two of these line pieces into the hole or holes, snap on the cap and go whack some weeds. Make up several of these line pieces and carry them in your pocket. These cut better and last longer than the skinny little line on most of the trimmers available in stores. Gas trimmers are expensive and prone to not starting after a couple years. Battery trimmers are the way to go, but require frequent charging. Electric are nice if you have long cords.
…..just run the trimmer at idol, String will last forever….
@@tony8354586 I have found if you never use your trimmer it will last for a long time too.
@@michaell31 Funny!
Never thought about re-hydrating line to keep it from getting brittle, thanks for the tip. :)
An old Technician's trick for flexible nylon stuff, like Tywraps & trimmer line is to put it in some hot water for a minute or two. The hot water saves time when you need it quick.
Great video, i have a large spool of Stihl 95" line trimmer line that is 2 years old and noticed that i was respooling it alot sooner than normal. I soaked it in-between trimming(about 4 days) and sure enough it lasted a lot longer than before. Thanks for the great tip.
THANK YOU BearE9090, I was wondering how long to soak the line for...
As a homeowner, I can tell you that Black Diamond Trimmer Line is the best I have ever used. It cuts cleanly, reduces head wobble and is very durable, even up against concrete. When I first read about this product I thought, 'Right, just another BS claim to sell trimmer line'. But the very first time I used it I was sold. I can't speak to the experience of commercial users. But for residential use it is exceptional.
I've had the same experience with Black Diamond line. Maybe my yellow line was thirsty, who knows. Still have a little left, I'm going to try and soak it and see if there's a difference.
I recently discovered Chickanic and she is excellent!! She’s straight forward, giving information that’s useful in an entertaining way. I love this woman and will be using her information to maintain my equipment.
Thank you you've taught me a great deal on buying trimmer line
black diamond is awesume stuff, it cuts faster than most other line. i mow for a living so i know what works and what dosnt
I have been doing lawn care over 40 years. I learned last summer (2021) from an article online about soaking trimmer line in water to rejuvenate it. In the manufacturing process the line is pulled through water. Then after time it dries out and becomes brittle. Thanks for letting people know about soaking the line in water.
How long do you soak it in the water for?
Thanks and cheers 🍻
@@chriskeating5926 soak trimmer line over night or 24 hours.
@@thadschaeffer2563 ok thanks ,cheers 🍻
@@thadschaeffer2563 ok thanks for that tip
Yup. When I was a young technician, I came in to work and there was a tray of Nylon wire ties soaking in water. That seemed strange. It was dry, winter time, and one of the engineers explained. The Nylon wire ties were breaking as soon as they were installed and tightened. Nylon is a plastic that is particularly hydroscopic. Extended exposure to dry winter air desiccated the Nylon, drying it out. The percentage of water Nylon absorbs controls it's toughness / brittleness. After soaking (overnight if I recall correctly), the Nylon wire ties installed fine.
One other thing about Nylon, I think others have pointed it out. Most Nylon is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, like in sunlight. The sunlight cross-links the Nylon molecules and embrittles the plastic. It does take time, but it is NOT reversible. There are Nylons that are UV resistant, but in general, don't store Nylon in direct sunlight. Hanging on a pegboard in direct sunlight would be bad. On a shelf, out of the sunshine is much better.
UV *breaks* the cross-links as well as causing other molecular changes and causes weakening of the plastic .This happens to all plastics and is suppress by the addition of UV stabilisers .
Some liquid resins are designed to cross-link when exposed to UV (dental resin for instance)
Dear Ma'am, I got a Greenworks 60V electric trimmer, filled with 0.095 in. nylon wire without any issues, but with an installing trick by prewiring throughout the holes before pressing into the position. For sure, 0.095 wire lasts a lot longer. I got Stihl, Echo and Husqvarna trimmers, electric trimmer makes me less boring due to the quieter in noise level. Thanks for your video.
This video made my day! There is nothing worse than having the line break or melt inside the trimming head. I always trim at the end of my yard work which equates to being dog-dead-tired!😂 I’m excited to try this! Thanks for the tip!
I worked for a municipality and we had two cemeteries that we took care of. Lots of headstones that trim around. We bought our line in 5lb. spools. One of the old timers always said to let it sit in a bucket of water. Many of us didn't believe him. Learn something every day i guess.
My favorite headstone inscription is from John Yeast: Pardon me for not rising. My next favorite gravestone inscription is Rodney Dangerfield's line: There goes the neighborhood.
@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 Or on your headstone: " Well Shit, That Didn't Work"
One extra advantage I've noticed with hydrated line is the extra mass adds to the centrifugal force holding the line out perpendicular, creating a more powerful cutting force.
When I hit the really heavy stuff I always pre soak the loaded spool from the night before, and I add a few drops of dishwashing detergent to the water which breaks the surface
tension of the water against nylon in a bunched state and also helps prevent friction lock of the cord in use. I got that tip 18 years ago from a greenkeeper who was ironically named Wes Green.. (Mr. Greens Mowing) thanks Wes, it works, and thanks Chickanic, round really is best.
Thanks, that sounds like a great idea and you’ve already tested it for us! I’m going to do it too. Sticking line is a super pain in the butt!
It works two fold. Dishwash softens the water as well as acting as a penetrant. It works the same when adding it to a backpack sprayer of weedkiller negating the need for a commercial penetrant additive
I generally find that the best Trimmer is a Howard 6-footer driven by a 70/80Hp ride-on. A bit hard on sliding glass doors at times but cleans up the lawn area real quick! Keeps the nagging rate down and you don't have to do it so often - especially if you back in a bit close to the roses on occasion. 😜😁
@@theoztreecrasher2647 I had an 18hp Kohler driven John Deere and a Massey Furgerson Tower with 4-foot slasher But I don't think that's the Trimmers he is talking about LOL Funny Good to see jokes for a lighter side of life : )
Excellent tips! 👍
I guess most people dont read the owners manual. But last trimmer i bought the manual said it could be helpful to soke the line in a bucket of water.
Same, my trimmer mower from DR says to soak the line in water every time you change it
This explains why I noticed my Milwaukee line performing less than when I first got it.
Yah know, I learn something every time I watch you! I’m my own yard man and you answer questions I never even thought to ask. Moreover, if something did foul up I usually just started crying and took it to the shop. You have helped me regain my masculinity without chemicals! Thanks so much!
Or testicle tanning.
You made this old girl laugh, your wife is a lucky woman.
She is smart hey even old dogs can learn new tricks even from Chicks lol
One more reason for trimmer line breakage: Running at full throttle and hitting against concrete walkways will heat the string where it exits the eyelet and weaken it until it breaks off at that point.
It all makes sense about solid round line and 3 sided line.
No more sided line for me.
Thanks for the tip👍
Add some dish liquid for even better results for absorption 😎
Great advice! My operational attitude at my shop is that my first priority is to _help_ my customers... even if no immediate sale results. Making a living falls into place by default simply because they will automatically come to me first whenever they need anything because I earned their trust.
What town and state is your shop located?
@@Czangrlli422 I'm in Ontario Canada.
@@42lookc We need someone like you in NY
@@42lookc where in ON are you?
@@42lookc Then, I'm moving there. 👍🤗
I distinctly remember buying plastic STIHL blades for my trimmer years ago.The instructions said to store the blades in water when not in use.Thanks for the tips.
I have been weed-eating for more than half a century. I was dismayed when they went from one line to two. I have converted all my newer weed eaters to just be one-sided, and it has been a huge improvement in cutting power and line usage. I also recommend 4 cycle for weed eaters, as they are generally made better, don't require a mix, and last through seasons without fuel lines disintegrating.
I love the black diamond line. I’ve tried several other brands, including Echo’s orange line, and some round lines. I’ve found that the black diamond holds up best against fences and leaves a nice crisp edge. I’ve never looked close enough to see if it’s leaving a clean cut on each blade of grass, but it looks pretty good from eye level!
🤯🤯 As a professional who's used many different lines for years, I've found that _nothing_ beats Black Diamond, in that it does fly straighter, cuts better, edges cleaner ( I edge with my string trimmers, not a blade 🤷♂️ ), and doesn't fray or split at the ends. Thanks for that rehydration tip, queen 😉 Always good to see you.
As a professional - edging with string is not 'professional'...we all do it - there is a time and place for it...but string edges repeatedly do not compare to a proper blade edge...you do you tho!
Me too. The .105 is awesome.
@@kirkthebeerslinger 🤣 If you don't know what you're doing 🤷♂️ Where I'm from "professional" means all the way through, not just _looking_ the part. I use my tools quite well. Nevermind the fact that a strong trimmer causes NO damage to concrete or other material, unlike a misplaced blade edger--in the hands of the skilled as well as those in training. I find that surprising that absolutely noone in your area can run a sharp, straight edge with a string trimmer 🤷♂️
@@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power hey-you are entitled to be wrong if you like...the nature of the spinning string when it hits the turf/concrete deflects and when you string trim the same edge over and over all season long it can't help but get wider and wider...maybe you don't care about a crisp edge and maybe neither do your clients...I didn't say I don't flip edge...depends...and ya-I know what I am doing...and I know it well enough to know there is a difference...but go ahead and tell me how you can drill a hole more precisely with a hand drill than you could with a drill press because you're such a professional and all...
@@kirkthebeerslinger Don't project. Because you can't conceive of string trimming an edge repeatedly without it becoming a 3 or 4 of 5 inch chasm, doesn't mean plenty of us out here can't do it. We do it every day and have for years. If the stick edger is what works for you, hold onto that; no need to try and throw shade on someone who takes their craft seriously and knows how to use their tools. Also, an edger is a piece of stick equipment just like a string trimmer. It too is capable of wandering from the edge in unskilled hands, so the drill analogy doesn't hold.
I'll put my 410x ( or any trimmer ) against a blade edger all day...miles of sidewalks, whatever.
Great content as always.
I have one additional tip.
When using a bump feed type head bump more often so that the trimmer line doesn't get so close to the head. The line does develop heat and when it is short or close to the head it transfers that heat into the spool and causes it to fuse together in the spool.
Plus the trimmer does the best job when the string is at the proper length... IMHO -taking the guard off to have more string is a bad idea for a few reasons - 1 safety, 2 the longer string can bog the unit down-fouling up the exhaust/spark arrester...3. doesn't perform optimally - the manufacturer tests their equipment and designed it to be 17 or 18 inches for a reason...if it performed better at 22" they would have made it that way...
@@kirkthebeerslinger I totally agree
I only buy echo trimmer with high torque with and not to heavy a string. That being said you are right about exhaust bogging down. I usually take it off and clean the gunk twice a year either way to keep it running smooth because you go through less string and do less damage when touching anything. I've never kept a guard on.
Great advice @Del Seckora
@@kirkthebeerslinger I tried a length ( the right Length ) of push bike brake cable wire in a industrial whipper Snipper when I was 'Stihl' learning common sense and she went into an insane speed wobble and damn near tore my arms off. Lesson Learned 🤣🤣
I have noticed that my trimmer line with the edges will actually friction weld itself together in the head before breaking off. I have changed to the round line with much better results. By the way, by rehydrating the line has actually helped relieve the problem too. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tips , now I know what size line for my electric string trimmer, it was not marked on the machine, I got it used. .065 I will give you a few tips that will save you money. Your car's engine air filter, I can make them last as long as the engine , I take it out annually and blow it clean with compressed air Then I inspect with a 100 watt light bulb the old fashion way. If your area is dusty, you can add some of those cotton like ac filtering material , look like cotton as a prefilter. People from mid east desert taught me that , or they be changing filters every week. The cabin filter , dealers always ask you , and they get you for at least $50 each time. I blow it clean first, wash mine in mild soap and water , the water will turn black. Then I dry it on a hot engine and reuse. It is not that critical, we used to have none and we are still alive. The engine serpentine belt, if you annually spray it with some leather /vinyl conditioner, one make's name is 333. Do it with a cold engine and crank it a time or two for full coverage, both sides. You will find belts will not crack or split as easy. Got time to kill, nothing stopping you from removing the belt and soak it in 333 in a bucket. Every couple of years, I clean the throttle body spray any solvent liquid (gasoline will work) into it, use an old tooth brush, just don't lose it in the intake manifold. Clean battery terminals, and I remove PCV valve and soak it in carb cleaner. Mechanic would replace it, but Camry can be expensive and a devil to get to. When I do disc brakes, before I push the piston back in, I lift up the dust boot, and with a glass syringe, I inject maybe 3,5 CC of old brake fluid in that space, then I push the piston back in, and catch any leaks with a rag. Old brake fluid means those you saved left over after you bleed your brake system every 5+ years.......do not substitute. Since I started that, I never have a seized caliper. Rotors should last you 2 sets of organic pads before you have to lathe it. I stay away from semi metallic pads, hard on rotors.
I realized the hydrate method when I bought some line a few years ago. I bought some line in a container that had a sponge in it. On the container it said keep sponge damp for best results, line becomes brittle when dry. It actually makes a huge difference. Great video by the way.
People who don't trim a lot will say there is no differences in the shape or size of the line. If you're only weedeating residential yards every week-2weeks you won't see as big of a difference in the performance of round line vs black diamond for example. Once you get into tall and dense growth, stuff that has grown longer than 2-3 weeks, you will be able to tell a noticeable difference in performance. Black diamond line or any similarly designed twisted line will perform noticably better in taller and denser growth. I just think it's bad advice to say that round line is all you need. For most people, round line will work fine, but for people who are actually weedeating tall and thick growth for hours and hours on end, you may want to recommend some of the twisted lines for those select few.
100% agree. Solo lawn guy here and black Diamond 105 is all I use.
Is Black Diamond your favorite? Have you tried any Oregon brand trimmer lines? I have only used round line so I have no experience.
@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 I have used Oregon line. Oregon line works well, just not as good as the black diamond from echo. Lowe's sells ugly twist line that is very comparable to the black diamond.
@@jordangutierrez8935 Thanks. I didn't know Ugly twist was made by Shakespeare. I have never used Black diamond so I appreciate your review.
I lucked into buying Black Diamond when I bought a new Echo. I'll never buy anything different.
Was in lawn service for 20 years..retired from it 24 years ago...i never new the water trick,pretty cool...i do remember trying ridged line back in the day and not liking it,so i went back to round..for last 8 years i have been using 100 dollar b&d with .095...i have a pretty big yard with a lot of trees,chainlink fence and edging to do..12 feet of line usually lasts a year for me...i love electric compared to gas..i usually do all trimming on low setting..this still cuts the grass well,but makes line and battery last much longer..of course if i was in business i would need a much more powerful machine to deal with customers over grown messy yards..thanks for sharing
Just goes to show that even an old dog like me can always learn something new. Been a mechanic for 40+ yrs now, and I never knew that the plastic in trimmer lines was permeable enough to soak up enough water to make it more durable. Good tip. Thank you.
your comment should be pinned.
@@Susan70003
Sure, why not.
Great tip! Several years ago, I bought a 2,000foot roll of .080 from a K-mart that was closing for $10. I noticed that it was breaking more frequently last year. Gonna try the water soak and see how it works!
Did it work?
I run a commercial lawn company I use about 10-15lbs of trimmer line per year. Iv noticed that echo black diamond cuts better than their regular orange trimmer line. It tends to be slightly more brittle but cuts grass much better. I use black diamond for weekly maintenance and thick grass, and .105 orange line for more of brush clearing or tall weeds as it does not break as easily. Just my experience and thoughts. Good tip on soaking in water if it's gotten brittle
Barry Estell
Please try STENS 380-924 , its .105 its called Silver Streak RAZOR . Works and last GREAT
Found same thing with Black Diamond, it lasted about the same time on the head but in my opinion it cuts much better.
Just saved me an absolute TON of money..
Seriously though, some good tips !
I bought a Black & Decker weed wacker battery powered 20 years ago. It still works, it came with one spool of tremorline, and at the time I bought a three pack for backup. I still have one and a half spools left from the three pack I bought 20 years ago. I still don't think I'm going to have to buy some for quite some time. LoL
Don't forget that trimmer line acts just like 3d filament.
Store it in a dark place such as a light proof cardboard box which will stop the UV rays from causing the plastic to become brittle.
Good idea! Most plastic does. 👍
I keep it in my wine cellar, next to the grey poupon. 😁
Thanks for this tip, it confirmed what my local small engine guy told me about soaking the line in water, he suggested to just leave it in there. It also explains why the new line that came with my new Sthil was so brittle and snapping.
Well, there ya go. My trimmer questions answered. Thank you.
This is the info we need so I subscribed to this good UA-cam channel..
I used to work at a Stihl dealer. Had a Stihl factory rep tell me the bucket of water trick almost 20 years ago. Has worked well for me over the years. My FS90 is still going strong as well.
How long should it soak up? I've got a spool of trimmer line in my van and we use it every day commercially. I don't want to pull the 5 pound spool every day, soak it in the water for half an hour. That simply wouldn't work...
@@markbrisec3972 You don't particularly need to soak it unless it's brittle, if brittle soaking it for 2.5 days does the trick
Best trimmer line I have ever used is the husqvarna titanium force; it does incredibly well on chain link fencing especially. I found out at 0.080 line in titaniumforce was as good or slightly better than most 0.095 line from echo or Stihl.
Agreed, it came with my new trimmer and it's straight up impressive. I've never seen anything even close to it.
Yup, once i used this I never looked at anything else.
Why are you trimming chain link fences. The machine and string are designed to trim grass.
@@equsnarnd because grass grows in and against chain link fencing.
@@BigRedServicesLLC Well, then...spray the chain link fence line or suck up the cost of the trimmer string being shredded. Perhaps you do either one or both. But my comment is for the people who develop no finesse with a trimmer and just throw it at rocks, cement, metal poles etc, and then complain about it breaking. I'd like to give the Husqvarna line a try to compare it to the Black Diamond line that I use.
My new Husqvarna trimmer instructions mentioned soaking the line in water overnight to make it more pliable & extend its life. That tip has saved me a lot of money.
I learned the edged line doesn't feed well from my trimmer head, thanks for the hyfration tip. Now off to throw a roll into a bucket of water and give it a whirl! ;)
On the comparison of round line to different style lines, I’ve found square line is what works best for us. I work for the local school system and with the many hats I wear as a maintenance worker, I’m over the lawncare equipment. Back when I first started me and another guy bought line for our trimmers and he was a die hard red round line guy, I decided to try Oregon Square Gaterline. We started on a bank at the same time and it is very thick weeds/grass and we all hated trimming it because it is steep and time consuming.
I was flying up the hill compared to my coworker so he stopped me mid hill and asked for my weed eater. He made a few swipes, saw how quick he was able to clear an area, handed my trimmer back, and proceeded to walk off the bank unspooling his machine and getting my string.
Through the years I’ve tried different brands, cut style, and the like but I haven’t found anything that cuts as well as the Oregon in price, speed of cut, and longevity for what we do.
I got the Stihl 2.4 square stuff . Got it spooled up. And haven't even had a chance to try it. I hope I have as good of luck as you with your square stuff. I got it inside. In my tool box actually. Where it's dry and warm. And feels pretty elastic still
@@matthewb7049 You don't want it dry and warm... Did you not watch the video?
Sounds convincing to me. I know which string I’ll be buying next. Thanks for the info.
@@randallsmerna384 It's trimmer wire. I'm not going to lose sleep over if my trimmer wire is brittle or Not. Materials have come along way in 10 years. All these people saying there 10 year old recycled Pepsi bottle trimmer wire from wall mart is brittle well no duhh.
@@matthewb7049 Actually it is still nylon and nylon has always been hygroscopic.
I found a great trimmer line, it's made by Oregon, .095" size, round line, a 288' roll sells for around $23.00. The best thing is it's tough plastic trimmer line with a Magnum Gatorline fiber core. It lasts a very long time. The other thing I've learned is if you run the line more than 5 minutes, if it doesn't break, it weakens where it comes out of the line holder hub. This usually has a metal ring and the line gets weak there. To cure that I release more line, about an inch or so to get a fresh line at the ring point. That way I'm not fighting with line that breaks off and I have to disassemble the line holder and rewind it.
I had some in bulk 18 years old, just finished with it, zero problems, was the same as when new. Stihl line.
As a life long motorcycle mechanic and off road racer, I learned a lot about my string trimmer from you in this video so I subscribed. A lot of our knowledge and experience overlaps, but not trimmer string. 🤣I'll always buy the round line from now on. Thanks!
My dad made a trimmer attachement for his drill/driver using an old hole saw and heavy duty fishing line... Tie the line through holes in the hole saw, put the bit in the chuck, trim your edges. You can also use cable ties instead of fishing line.
Wear saftey goggles because the cuttings fly everywhere.
I tried to use push bike brake cable in my little old 21cc Mc Collough ( However it's spelt ) when I was 15 and it was so off-balance it near tore out of my arms LMOA
Great to know! I have a spool of echo .95 with atleast 150' left that's probably 15 years old. Loaded a head with some of it last year, kept snapping off every time I went full throttle. Guess I'll give it a drink! Thanks for sharing👍
Wow .95 is almost an inch.
@@vashon100 😅 kinda missed a 0 didn't I !
Thank you for telling the truth about line. ROUND IS THE WAY TO GO, PERIOD !!!!
Last season i bought a $15.00 small spool or medium spool of trimmer line that cuts really nice and crisp
I bought an Echo a few years back, just because of the speed head! It’s been the best most trouble free trimmer!
Inspect your trimmer head eyelets! Many times with heavy use they wear with a groove where the line travels and if the line goes outside that worn groove, it will shear off against the sharp edge of the groove.
The other issue usually occurs when working WITHOUT a trimmer guard, - the LINE inside the trimmer head will heat up and "weld/melt together" inside the trimmer head requiring disassembly to free up the line and break the weld. It can happen under a heavy or tough work load (long grass or long extended trimmer lines or both), working in high summer temperatures and/or with a overloaded trimmer head. Any one or a combination of conditions can cause welding. Working with a trimmer guard helps to reduce this. >> Personally I don't use the guard but I try to avoid the above situations. I use the .105 gauge line. Nothing wrong with storing your extra or backup line in a bucket of water with a tight fitting lid, until you need it.
Awesome info, much appreciated from Lismore NSW Australia
This would explain why I just quickly went through a new big spool of trimmer line that was supposed to be the toughest stuff on the shelf.
Very informative! I did not know about the things you shared today like the line being able to re-hydrate in water. I was planing to go to the local big box store to buy new line as the line I was using was breaking off to often, ( thinking dry & brittle), you changed my mind, thank you! Just an old man.
Yep I have been doing this since the 80's. The line I bought back then said on the label to soak it in water.
I wonder if the new packaging says to soak.. I will look! Thanks for watching!
I weed-eat by hand 3-5 acres every year. I live on a steep rocky slope that does not have safe access to riding mower type equipment, and my equipment is actually considered brush-cutters (45cc), as opposed to string trimmers. The standard universal heads where your wind the line are toys and don't work well in my application. I use 0.155 diameter heavy-duty line in the Shindaiwa 80794 Heavy Duty Fixed Line aluminum head. All my line gets stored in a 5-gallon bucket of water 24/7/365, Chickanic is spot-on.
Black diamond easily is the best for me. I also use a very thin line to to get a crisper more precise result.
Braided stainless line work great/got miles of it.T800Aust
Would definitely want to have eye protection, especially if working with stainless line. Also, would not want to use stainless line around an area where there are grazing animals.
Thanks for the tip, I'll be soaking my line this week since drying out is a real thing here in the Valley of the Sun Arizona. I don't know how many rolls I have thrown out because they kept snapping off.
Wow, didn’t know one could rehydrate trimmer line, will have to remember that. Thanks.
Years ago I bought an 1,100 ft spool of Oregon Magnum Gatorline cored square 0.095” and keep it in a bucket of water. One of my better investments was a second internal spool to fit my speed-feed head. A quick swap out and I can keep cutting.
I’ve worked in high end lawn maintenance, and tried quite a few different styles of string. For the average user round line will work fine, but if you wanna crisp clean cut on your edges the twisted string makes a difference.
I've been in business for over 4 years now and I've tried quite a few different types of line. I saw another youtuber suggest Black Vortex and I tried it out and I've been really impressed with it and have used it for 2 years now. it just seems to last forever. As long as you don't hit any fences or pavement you rarely have to bump. A 3lbs spool can last me nearly a year
I switched to twisted several years ago because the star and square cut very good but they wear the head eyelets a lot.
The twist or diamond shape helps keep from the line retaining memory. I switched to the twist and will not use anything else. I got a off brand on Amazon and it worked flawlessly.
I believe someone already stated that this stuff is made of nylon and that is correct. There are several formulations of nylon polymer. Likely this stuff is nylon 6.0. Main thing is all nylon is hygroscopic which means it WILL take up moisture. Great video.
I live in the country, so a number of years ago, I gave up on trimmer line and I only have metal blades. I can't tell you how many times I have dinged up a metal blades because some jackwad had buried something on the property before I bought it. That's also why I have 2 riding mowers so when I destroy a blade or break a spindle, I just get on the other mower to finish mowing.
In most cases I agree that round line is as good as any other. However, I bought a house recently that had several areas of English ivy that was overgrown and needed to be removed. The vines were very wiry so I went ahead and got the Black Diamond line and it out performed the round line.
I had a model older than this one that I love. My sister has difficulty with tools that are too heavy and she actually loved mine and found it easy to use ua-cam.com/users/postUgkx_rBCFuDW1zD6blTGhLkvAkxU657uR_lG . This is a newer model but was even lighter which she really appreciates. She enjoys it and I no longer have to go to her house to trim as she can handle it fine. Haven't used it enough to comment on the battery life but lithium batteries last longer than the old style. Being cordless makes it easy to trim the far edges of the property. The entire yard can be trimmed with one charged battery.
Thank you, first time I heard about this trick.
I bought a Shindaiwa MS-242 circa 2010. There was a promotion at the time and it came with a bulk roll of some kind of red trimmer line. I made like a paper towel roll holder on my garage wall and then marked off 10 feet. I am still using that roll 13 years later. I guess the stupid humidity we get every spring/summer has been rehydrating the line because I have never had to dunk it. I mean I only trim like 200' total but I think I have used maybe 10% of the original roll over the years.
Buy in bulk, it's worth it.
After 32 years in business (in Australia) selling and servicing outdoor power equipment we sold thousands of metres of trimmer line. I found that there are definitely different qualities in trimmer line brands, we did experiment with different brands and some are definitely better than others. Our best seller was the ‘Star shaped line’ but as you stated you can’t compare the outside diameter to ‘Round line’ go up at least one size, although I am now retired and sold my business, I still have a roll of ‘Star’ line that is about 3 yrs old and works perfectly. The sharp edges on the star line do cut much better in heavy grass. For small electric trimmers I would recommend sticking with the round .065. As to trimmer heads, take a look at the Makita brand, it’s an Auto feed with tap & go function, very easy to reload with slotted eyelets, although mine is only used domestically it is over 12yrs old and works a treat.
I use the Echo quick load trimmer head and it takes less than a minute to load with 20' of line and the bump and go is flawless.
My Makita head is a nightmare when trying to undo it and worse when you try to replace it.
I prefer .095 for my electric trimmer...not all electric trimmers are weak...some are actually way to powerful imo...for home owners with normal yards electric trimmers are great..
I haven't had any issues with the Husqvarna heads after being driven insane by the one that came with my Honda .
Wish I knew this years ago. Went through tons of line on my rural property for fire control each spring-a whole week of all-day trimming. Used a variety of line brands. Tried the fancy shapes but never saw enough difference. A ended up buying large spools of the best-priced name brand. I found that trimming got easier when I saw the line as a cheap expendable. How you fill the spool and advancing the line habitually saved me tons of time. Using 10% more line used can prevent having to stop for a broken line. It is also easier on the metal eyelets to prevent them from forming a groove. Well worth the time and sweat.
Sweet tips on hydrating line and round line for not getting stuck in the head.
I’ve been doing it wrong. Thanks Chickanic.
A MacGyver.
That black diamond line looks just like Rotary black round twisted. Somebody gave me some Rotary to use and it's the best line I've ever used. (30 years exp.) Doesn;t break off, doesn't stick together when you wind it out, durable - when you're back edging a driveway you're not tapping the head every few feet. I bought 90 feet off Ebay for 17. I'm using .105 in a .95 application, no troubles feeding. (Homelite 26 cc cheap to replace my Stihl which bit the dust, had it since 03.)
Loved both tips about hydrating your bulk line spool (even if it is brand new) and using only round line to avoid binding in the head....which is what I have run into with the line that has edges. Thanks much!
Almost everybody I know toss their line out every year! We bought a big roll for $20 5 years ago and it still works great!, i didnt know about dipping it in water i will do that!. My sthil fs 90 still has the original spark plug in it, runs and starts great its 16 yrs old. Good video!.
I love your videos , keep them coming, Beautiful !!!!
I learned so much from this video. Thank you. I will never buy edged trimmer line again.
First time viewer...I love you, your honest, and practical. Most people don't have a clue, and don't care till it breaks. I have worked on a lot of differant equipment in 48 years, and you are a straight shooter, no BS here ! Thank you !
Thanks!
Thank you for your time and information with honesty. I wish everyone would be honest about what they sell. Kudos to you.
I love the Black Diamond Trimmer Line made by Edge Especially 095 gauge!!!! Do love my trimmer!! head!! Makes putting trimmer line quicker!! Love Your Video though!!!
Thanks again, I'll be telling my landscape friends! (I gotta check my line now)
In fairness I'm not a pro and don't use a lot of line, but I bought a Kobalt string trimmer that has the 40 V batteries and I have loved it. It came with a certain amount of round line and it uses the .08. However, the amount it comes with isn't much so I ran out. I had a large supply of some slightly larger triangle line. No contest. And that line is a minimum of 10 years old but in all likelihood more. It does stay stored in my shop which is dark a good bit, no sunlight to speak of, and we have a lot of high humidity. I can load it up and first of all, it lasts much longer than the round line did on a load and the cut is much faster and does a great job on weeds that you just wouldn't think a battery trimmer could handle. On the other hand, there is a big difference from the old 18-24 volt battery trimmers of old and the 40V. Night and day. I'm sure everyone's experience is different, but I will never buy round line again. I would love to try the Echo system tho since I think it is probably even newer technology. And yes, a battery only lasts about 30 or 40 minutes, but I can assure you at 77 that's about all I can do at one go lol! And I have 3 batteries because I also have the blower, the lawn mower and the hedge trimmer, all of which are killer. Oh did I mention the chain saw? Just pull the trigger and go! Not sure how long the Echo goes, but I read good things about it. Also, I don't wear myself out pulling chords to crank a gas job. No gas, no oil, no filter, no.......... well you get the picture. But my experience with the triangle line seems to be much different than what you found it to be. And too, I have so much of it I may never have to buy line again. I will definitely use the water trick if I need to, but so far, it's far more resilient than the round that came on it. Don't know the brand nor exactly what it's make up is, but I do love it. Oh, did I mention 8 pounds including the battery for the string trimmer?
Used and tried a lot of trimmer line over the years. I agree round trimmer line in .095 - .105 is the way to go. Depending on how powerful your trimmer is. Also when you soak trimmer line in water do it for around 2 1/2 days. 8 - 24 hours will not get you the full effect. At least that is what I've found.
Correct…2 days minimum!
Thank you for that added tip. She had not stated how long to soak the line. Appreciate your thoughtfulness.
I'd be interested to find out how well this idea would work:
Store preloaded heads in a ziplock bag or Tupperware tubs with a wet wad of paper towels.
It's a little difficult to keep up a roll of trimmer line in a bucket of water 24/7.
I leave mine in water for about a week. Only because I forgot about it. I'm using 5yrs+ trimmer line now. I soak it at the beginning of the season & Aug. .095 & .105
@@rellmonger7935 I've done that also (forgot about it). Even longer than a week does not seem to hurt it. Far better than dried out trimmer line.
I agree, I also mist silicon oil on my line- pull thru a rag first! Tks