THE BIG SECRET about trimmer line on any brand like Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, to SAVE YOU TONS MONEY!

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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[@Chickanic]

Thanks for Watching! Find a link to all of my "Must Have", Favorite Tools HERE!! www.amazon.com/shop/chickanic?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfchickanic_9ERPFPBNGQ924P8NS63B

[@CarlosAlberto-ii1li]

A Ton.

[@tomfoolery5832]

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.

[@MrMambott]

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

[@mattlaptop5728]

Thanks for sharing that tip - I have the same issue and was looking for a solution. I’ll give it a try.

[@derekp6636]

dang, good tip for this season! I gotta spool mine up and trim the fence line anyways...

[@phillaurin7125]

Smart

[@unclejimmyray]

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?

[@patrickmooney4895]

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.

[@brusselsprout5851]

Thank you

[@MrMambott]

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

[@subsonicdeathmonkey]

And they wear harder with with the hard edges of non-round line.

[@matt7iron]

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.

[@patrickmooney4895]

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

[@glenndespres5317]

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.

[@elone3997]

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!

[@JosephTaylor-hs3pb]

I started using the Black Diamond line about three years ago and I love it. It cuts very good and doesn't seem to pull as hard as the round line. I get good wear out of it too. It runs quieter too.

[@JAYG79.]

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.

[@lylek8933]

Never thought about re-hydrating line to keep it from getting brittle, thanks for the tip. :)

[@kcucullu]

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!

[@ginamiller6015]

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 🫶

[@iowawrench]

Zip ties too.

[@michaelray5595]

Things you learn at 50....🤦

[@ginamiller6015]

@@michaelray5595 never stop learning 🫶

[@MCarmer21]

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.

[@CarvelLoafer]

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.

[@LasVegas68]

Never would have I ever thought about reconditioning trimming line in water! Thank you for sharing this video.

[@mongomay1]

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! 🙃😉😊😛🤑🤗🤨

[@pookitherat]

I'm from Inverness, Scotland. Almost 3 years ago we moved to a home with a decent garden and bought a Strimmer (thats what we call them). It's been great, but sometimes the line will come out, sometimes not. It's a bump feed and I find swearing at it helps 🤣🤣 But the hydration tip is great. Mind you, it rains pretty much all the time so I figure that's why I don't get any breakages 🤔😝 I stumbled on your channel last week and am quite pleased to watch your hints & tips. We're out planting int he greenhouse today, but guess what, it started raining while I'm constructing boxes for my wife to use as planters so I escaped for a cup of green tea & a ham & cheese sandwich and watch you on the tube. Great effort. Thank you 😊

[@rtkville]

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.

[@rossk4864]

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!

[@murrayburke7746]

I’ve been using the same 320-ft roll of .080 Rino-Tuff triangle-shaped line I bought four years ago. It has been through summers of 105F degrees and winters of sub freezing temps sitting in a metal bucket in a garage. No signs of fatigue or cracking. Works without a problem in my battery powered Ryobi.

[@leonidas402]

Thanks for the info about soaking old line in water to rejuvenate, I couldn’t figure out why I was burning through so much line so fast and your tip saved me from throwing out an old spool

[@Patrick-pl8wv]

Thank you for your time and information with honesty. I wish everyone would be honest about what they sell. Kudos to you.

[@northeasterndirtandpropert7974]

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.

[@burnerloco4138]

It all makes sense about solid round line and 3 sided line. No more sided line for me. Thanks for the tip👍

[@davidwoolsey2300]

This tip alone made me a subscriber! I was ready to get rid of my new-ish Milwalkie string trimmer as the line kept breaking inside the eyelet...what a big pain! I did an overnight soak and ...Instant success! Thank you!!!

[@leer-winnobbeefarms2131]

Great video! I have two Echo trimmers. They are very rugged and reliable! My dealer told me to put the line in a bucket of water! Really works. I, too, have run a lot of different brands of line. I found the Black Diamond line to be really great. Even brittle, it out lasts others. You just reminded me to keep mine hydrated. I have had the string melt together in the head. Thanks for the great info! Lee

[@Kdlawman74]

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.

[@hudsonhollow]

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!

[@KiethJohnson-xh7qj]

Hey, love your channel. Just have to say that I've been using the 6-sided trimmer line on my 8-yr. old EGO trimmer for about 6 years and it's the best and longest lasting line I've ever used since I've owned my EGO. Very nice info on how to rejuvenate trimmer line BTW. I never would've thought about it.

[@MrJoecool9999]

Good tip for sure - I use 4mm line and it lasts for ages - but found it breaking quite quickly when scarfing - figured out the problem is caused by heat from the friction of scarfing weakening the line - giving it a break every now and again helps....!

[@rogermurph101]

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!

[@Wyozona]

I learn something useful every time I listen. I hydrated my line spool as soon as I heard this.

[@deltaphisig]

I'm just a homeowner, but I absolutely love the Oregon Magnum Gatorline Supertwist. The might all cut weeds the same, but they don't edge the same and that Oregon line is stellar!

[@nick39]

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!

[@DanielCoffey67]

Hi Chickanic - I wanted to say thank you for your advice on both changing to round line and soaking your cord even if it is new. It was very helpful advice. I have a 36V Bosch trimmer in which I was using some old Stihl 0.095 square line. It was hard to load into the head as it kept snagging on its edges and of course square line has a lot less body than the equivalent round line. Since I had owned my reel of line for about four years (and who knows how long it had sat on a shelf before that) it was dry and I seemed to go through quite a lot of it. Having replaced it with Echo 0.095 round line and pre-soaked the entire reel I am very impressed. I tackled some coarse dried tussocks of grass in a paddock as a test and the round line was barely marked and not eroded. The square Stihl would have done the job but shortened considerably. I have also treated myself to an Echo Speed Feed for which I am still seeking the correct bushing since I am in the UK. My Bosch uses a M10 x 1.0 LH thread which would be the green Shindaiwa bushing but most non-US Speed Feeds are the Echo brand and come with only the group of Echo M10 x 1.25 LH bushings. No worries - Amazon US to UK will provide. Once again - thanks from this side of the pond!

[@marcmartinovic5366]

I was looking several of your videos and I can tell you you are a real deal. Great to have someone like you! Thank you.

[@BarM-dx1sg]

First and foremost, I enjoy your videos. (I'm Retired). TY for sharing your Tips & Tricks. I learn something new everyday.

[@orangecrush5512]

I use a Stihl FS 130R, that I've had for several years. It's the perfect combination of power, weight and versatility for me to trim and edge my acre of property. (I owned a landscape maintenance business for several years, back in the early 2000s and used larger trimmers, also.) I've always used the "tap and go" heads. I've used many different trimmer lines. For whatever reason, the .095 Stihl Square trimmer line has out performed all of the other lines I've used. I rarely get binding or melt inside the head. I live in a pretty humid climate, so I've also never dealt with line breaking from being brittle, even though I buy it in 3lb spools that take several years to use. As far as noticeable "cut performance", I've never really noticed any difference in any of the lines I've used...........but I never looked at the grass through a magnifying glass, either....😄. Nice info. Liked and subbed.

[@davek6630]

I bought an Echo a few years back, just because of the speed head! It’s been the best most trouble free trimmer!

[@RogerParmelee-vb3tf]

Hi , I'm Roger , this is my first time watching one of Your videos and I have to say that I was really impressed with Your knowledge of the subject (trimmer line) and the honesty You showed at the possible expense being reprimanded by a Company You are affiliated with in business!! And the concept of the line getting brittle over time and Your solution of soaking it in water to "rehydrate" it and giving it a second life make SO much sense as does You argument for the superiority of round vs shaped line. Thanks for that information, not only did I give it a like , I subscribed to Your site.

[@lilbbbbbbb]

I agree chickanic i been mowing for over 15 years and round line is the way too go and never knew about hydrating old line thanks love your channel 💪👍

[@jarrodp6068]

Many years ago i bought a spool of the Stihl 4 sided line always used the round prior run it in my Stihl fs90 i find that for me it seems to cut really thick and dense stuff better but otherwise not a lot of difference !! I think it matters more the right size and how many cc your trimmer is based on what you're doing with it !

[@dontaskme7004]

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.

[@MrMambott]

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

[@robbieanderson4674]

You give great advice and great repair techniques videos! Thank you from an old guy that keeps watching and repairing his stuff that he keeps running (and running well) thanks to you! Rob

[@iamjohnthelawnguy697]

Great video about line hydration. I am a scaper in Central Florida and there are many of us that keep the big spool on our trailers drying out in the sun day in and day out.

[@roadstar499]

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

[@ChrisSmith-mh6vk]

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.

[@bjjthaiboxing]

Whipper snipping? Is this where "whipper snapper" comes from?

[@mackwalker4564]

Love the info. Great site. I switched to round line for my 48vdc trimmer and it hardly ever gets stuck or breaks. You know your trimmers. Thanks again.

[@markbellingham4536]

Lovely information you leave school and that’s when information stops but this is a new level. ❤️

[@BearE9090]

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.

[@Swallabat]

THANK YOU BearE9090, I was wondering how long to soak the line for...

[@drcoffee5588]

Good info start to finish. Thank you. I never thought about trimmer line absorbing water but it has to to be biodegradable. I will be soaking my line before installing from now on. And edged line, no doubt the center shaft is smaller. My echo line gets eaten up in just two trimmings. I am going back to round. I got sucked into the gimmick.

[@jimg5703]

I have acreage up here on the west coast of B.C. Canada, and we enjoy your videos. They have been very help full on more than one occasion. We have all kinds of wild black berry vines and that Echo Black Diamond line works at cutting the berry vines much better than all the others that I have tried!

[@ericpircher]

Great video! First video I clicked on to figure out how to buy residential trimmer line, and you gave me all the answers I needed -- particularly about re-hydrating old line. I'm so happy to see handy-chicks doing well in this YT space. You gained a subscriber. I should also add that the comments on this vid are great too!

[@mattwasmyname]

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

[@springfield03sniper]

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

[@robertshorthill6836]

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.

[@tony8354586]

…..just run the trimmer at idol, String will last forever….

[@wineycartwright9257]

@@tony8354586 I have found if you never use your trimmer it will last for a long time too.

[@wineycartwright9257]

@@michaell31 Funny!

[@CraigShuman]

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.

[@chrisb3184]

You've made some great points that I haven't considered. I'll remember them because the presentation was comical to me. Thank you for your presentation that I found to be timely and invaluable to me.

[@CHOOSEPEACENOTWAR]

YOU GO GIRL! I"M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD I RAN ACROSS YOUR VIDEO! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE!😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@walterjwalnut9964]

Interesting point you make about line drying out. I'm in Australia and do a fair amount of trimming around fence lines, banks, trees and a small dam. I have 30+ years practice doing this. We have had a lot of third party brand lines available here over the years, but I have learnt to stick with Stihl or similar high level brand line in high capacity rolls and buy a year in advance of needing it so that it has time to "mature". I normally get about 2 years form a 1KG roll (2.2 pounds) if I let it mature, so at the end of a roll it would be about three years since purchase. I find that even the premium brands can be brittle if used soon after purchase, but work well once matured.

[@glennnickey3160]

Used to fly model airplanes with nylon props. We would boil them first, then keep them wrapped in damp cloth and plastic film to retain moisture. Once they aged for 2-3 years the color would change from milky white to a yellowish color and hold up better without breaking.

[@sierragrey7910]

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.

[@WilliamJohnson-xs2vi]

This saved me tons of frustration with bulk line, thank you so much for making this video.

[@robertboyer1221]

You saved me money again, great video I have a small weed wackier a they gave me spools of line that never worked, I put the spools in water an they worked fine!!! Thank you for your knowledge once again!!!

[@georgea2334]

I have used many types of trimmer line and you are correct it all depends on how old the line is. It would be nice if there was a date of manufacture on the line package.

[@gregclaydon6727]

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.

[@equsnarnd]

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.

[@jimbo2629]

My Makita head is a nightmare when trying to undo it and worse when you try to replace it.

[@roadstar499]

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..

[@openphoto]

I haven't had any issues with the Husqvarna heads after being driven insane by the one that came with my Honda .

[@dandydonslife9869]

Wow, didn’t know one could rehydrate trimmer line, will have to remember that. Thanks.

[@TJCZNIK]

Thank you, I never knew that about hydrating the line. I have some Husq. .095 line that's a few years old and I noticed it was breaking fairly easy. I'm going to give it a drink and see how it works.

[@shadymaint1]

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.

[@markbrisec3972]

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...

[@455buick6]

@@markbrisec3972 You don't particularly need to soak it unless it's brittle, if brittle soaking it for 2.5 days does the trick

[@roberteyre2499]

Great explanation, I’m sold on ECHO equipment, I still have a 30 year old chainsaw that just refuses to give up. My scrub cutter is at least 15 years old, I’ve had one chainsaw give up the ghost but that one was very well worked and was about 14 years old. Always been pleased with my ECHO equipment.

[@victoryfirst2878]

Thank you for telling the truth about line. ROUND IS THE WAY TO GO, PERIOD !!!!

[@angelolauria7781]

This is a Godsend of a video. I was just about to smash my trimmer against a brick wall bc I was so frustrated. Thank you.

[@alasdair4161]

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.

[@stevenmark8156]

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!

[@scorpnz4433]

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

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

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. 😜😁

[@MrMambott]

@@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 : )

[@flapjackson6077]

Excellent tips! 👍

[@thadschaeffer2563]

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.

[@chriskeating5926]

How long do you soak it in the water for? Thanks and cheers 🍻

[@thadschaeffer2563]

@@chriskeating5926 soak trimmer line over night or 24 hours.

[@chriskeating5926]

@@thadschaeffer2563 ok thanks ,cheers 🍻

[@chriskeating5926]

@@thadschaeffer2563 ok thanks for that tip

[@cliffbushong2396]

Wow I learned something new again from you I have very old trimming line and I will now soak it I am running out of good things to say about you are a very smart person

[@bazz4697]

Wow all my life I've had a lawn Trimmer and until now I have never herd of rejuvenating with water for the trimmer line ❤Thank you for the tip 👍😉

[@buzztoole4751]

Good video and advice. Good to know about keeping it hydrated. I usually use it up well before it gets old though. I believe the Speedfeed head is best ever developed. I've found that spraying the inside of the head and spool occasionally with some silicone lubricant will keep the head cleaner and working smoother but if you leave line that's been sprayed with silicone in the head like over the weekend that line will be more brittle and weakened so silicone spray seems good for the head but not the line. I've tried about every kind of line I think and used many thousands feet of it. To me the Shakespeare Ugly line gets the most done for the money, seems to hold up the best against concrete and asphalt curbs. I'll remember to splash a little water on the spool occasionally. Probably sweat!

[@JS-rv3et]

i have a rhino tuff hybrid head can load plastic blades or has 3 swivel joints for quick loading pre cut strings. with a decent string you pre cut some strips ahead of time and you can load em in seconds. i can do a whole yard with 6. 9 inch or so strips. ill never go back to a spool head again always drives my BP up trying to fidget with them damn things

[@jomama01]

What a GREAT TIP! Hate to admit I've been tossing perfectly good line for no reason... . Also thanks for the heads up on replacing OE heads with the Speed Feed units - haven't had the issues that I did with the original (Stihl Auto-Cut 25) one.

[@Chickanic]

You're not the only one! Everyone throws it away. Glad I could help!

[@johnlincicum6390]

@@Chickanic Shakespeare Ugly Line is the best string I have found and that's what that 3 LB spool of yellow triangle shaped line is.

[@efrenvenegas3346]

I dont throw my lines alway cause line its not cheap

[@rlenoxIII]

I bought one after her last video on the speed feed head, what a great unit! Wish I had known about it sooner

[@billpotmesil]

Great video! Love my new Shindawa Speed feed. Am now a believer on soaking the old trimmer line. Also greased the bearings on both my Stihls and they run cooler! Thanks a bunch!

[@ljprep6250]

Bless you for the rehydration tip. I have evidently bought ancient NEW line off the shelf and found it brittle. So, I'm dumb, and have never invested in a =real= string trimmer, so the square line works like a dream on my little Ryobi SS26, which won't give it enough RPM to pull the coil into a bird's nest. ;) Popped a $14.94 Amazon carb on it when a carb cleaner rebuild didn't fix it, and it's running well now. While I've always LIKEd your vids, I subbed today after watching a few more of them. Thanks for the honest opinions and tips you give to us. You rock!

[@aaronpowell4885]

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👍

[@vashon100]

Wow .95 is almost an inch.

[@aaronpowell4885]

@@vashon100 😅 kinda missed a 0 didn't I !

[@TheDickstorm]

In 2003, I bought a Stihl FS 75 (I think). Anyway, a year later I bought a spool of Stihl .095 line. It had to be around 50 miles worth. To make a long story short, it lasted twenty years, literally. I just used it all. Wish I would of known it could be re-hydrated. Live and learn. Thanks for the tip and the great channel!

[@wetherby6774]

Re-threading your own line is the way to go, you shouldn't run out by doing it this way. I have a small piece of property so I use an electric trimmer from Harbor Freight, but I sure would like a gas-powered trimmer with the super head they're all known for. Great video, thanks for the advice!

[@stinkycheese804]

Recent generation cordless (battery powered) trimmers have come a long way in recent years, as long as you choose a 40V or higher model, might be the best compromise for your small property as their main downside is the shorter runtime compared to gas. At the same time, if you buy a cheap one it will lead to a bad experience just as buying a cheap homeowner grade gas trimmer could.

[@paulcastillo5235]

I totally agree and did come to my own decision a few years back that the edged-line did like to bind up on itself. I still have a spool of it and will occasionally put it in my toro trimmer but decided that I would go back to the round line which binds up much less often than the three-edged-line I bought years ago. I also very much appreciate the the secret of rehydrating the trim line to keep it from being so brittle. I will have to try it this coming growing season which still is a few months away here in Minnesota.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

Spray some Pam nonstick cooking oil on the spooled string.

[@joshuacampbell9990]

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.

[@matthewb7049]

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

[@randallsmerna384]

@@matthewb7049 You don't want it dry and warm... Did you not watch the video?

[@stevenmark8156]

Sounds convincing to me. I know which string I’ll be buying next. Thanks for the info.

[@matthewb7049]

@@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.

[@dreamshop6071]

@@matthewb7049 Actually it is still nylon and nylon has always been hygroscopic.

[@timothydolan5587]

Hi there, I am a new subscriber to your channel. I run a Stihl fs 90 with .130 8 edged Echo line. My head is non-automatic feed because I find auto feed heads waste too much line. I bought a big spool when I bought my Stihl some 6 years ago and is about 1/2 left. The lable is lost to time and I don't remember the original size of spool. Even after this extended period of use I have yet to experience a problem with line breakage. I am quite pleased with this lines cutting performance and highly recommend it for heavy brush and thick, tall grass cutting. Thank you for sharing your insights and knowledge. I concur about the longevity of cutting line I use.

[@mike393000]

Im revisiting this pot after seeing it like 18 months to two years ago. I have a speedfeed on a ryobi electric 40v. It keeps jamming up and the line breaking off after I started using .105 line today. Im now soaking all the .105 I have but noticed the .095 line was round and all this other 105 stuff is twisted or edged... I ran out of .095. Ill bet this is the cause of the trouble. The trimmer seems to have plenty of power so I think its the edged line. When I watched this video 2 years ago I missed the ending part about the round line... thanks for still being here for me!!

[@MAMDAVEM]

Very interesting, if you had asked me what made the line brittle overe time I would have been inclined to say UV exposure as I'm not sure these plastics will have UV stabalizers. Great to know about the bucket of water tip.

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

Now, that tip about soaking in water is superb. Excellent.

[@donaldflammia7055]

I like all the good information you and everyone else share. You know the saying give and take, what works for you. For straight arm trimmers I beleive using round string. Smooth all around with string size 1.05. Together with ( just learning ) putting it into water to hydrant. Now the bigest help I have found it spray WD40 into the feeder holes. Don't be cheep, spray it and every time you re-string it. You'al know when your hot and its hot out working you want everything to go smooth. 😅

[@crusinscamp]

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.

[@paulg3336]

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)

[@dalewiley9208]

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.

[@bbariceo]

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.

[@jammerwv]

Thank you! Good info! Stihl dealer told me years ago to store my plastic cutter fingers in water but I never put the connection of the string together. I’ve definitely experienced brittle line. Even large line.

[@kstaxman2]

Lots of info in this video.. thanks for sharing. Never knew that nylon line was hydrophobic. Explains a lot of why so often new line doesn't last like it should.

[@SteveShatto]

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.

[@prf5139]

I have a Milwaukee trimmer, and of course, they recommend you use their trimmer line. As it turns that line is amazing. My property is surrounded by a rock and wrought iron fence, so lots of rough edges. The gauge is .095 and I can't believe how long it lasts. I have a lot of edging to do every week, and I only use 20 feet per season. Go Milwaukee!

[@murraysmith7569]

I was looking for someone that thinks the Milwaukee line was good I've tried a number of lines and had no where as good of luck with them.

[@bowman321123]

I saw in the manual for my new Stihl to soak the cord before using it, but this is the first time I've heard why...thanks!

[@ronperkins1676]

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.

[@jstpsgthru]

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

[@Chickanic]

I appreciate that!

[@Jamwcjconn]

Thanks Chickanic great video, didn’t know that about hydration of the string trim 👍

[@Sensei948]

@@Chickanic oil mix 1:33 husqvarna 372 xp 357 xp is ok ?

[@drooplug]

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.

[@positiveaspect5730]

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.

[@johnfilce9236]

Excellent summary! I've tried the different shaped line thinking it would have a "cutting edge". I cannot tell the difference and what really matters to me over many hours of use is durability and feed ability. I just don't want to stop and fuss with it very often when I am roaming over four acres and cutting in rough terrain.

[@petersack5074]

NO POINTED TRUTH, EVER SAID. fuss with that stuff......good one ! My xperiences, Xactly.......I have several spinheads. loaded up. When needed, just take oneoff, put oneon.........

[@leethomas8839]

Use a .155 line in a good stihl

[@laserflexr6321]

@@leethomas8839 And stay away from cable tv and telephone lines, garden hoses, vinyl siding, park your car around the corner and watch a couple youtube vids on how to change out a window pane. Above all wear a face shield when you get out the GIANT line. I used some of that in a Robin NB-26 with a manual feed head and you could eat your way through any size green tree. Ease in and grind away. I used that when I had to go through a lot of saplings and 8 foot tall weeds. Man that was violent! It will launch gravel like bullets! I think you could stand in a gravel driveway, rev up and in one swipe take out every window on one side of a house. LOL You will have bruised shins. I got a Stihl KM-94r (awesome machine) and use a sickle bar attatchment on it for saplings and vines now. Much faster and does not sling poison ivy everywhere like a line does. I use the cleaner/lube about every 15 minutes and that sickle has lasted for years so far, way longer than I expected the way I have been abusing it. It will cut up to about 3/4 inch green or 5/8 seasoned wood. Bad thing with a sickle bar is that it will cut barbed or chain link wire. I run it at part throttle so it does not cut the wire or ding the blade too bad. It will ding the blade but the blade will survive and keep on cutting. It does not cut fine grass so well, line would be way faster for that. When I finally do wear this one out I will get the shorter version that has the guard on the end. I dont know that I will like the guard but the hedger is pretty heavy and awkward.

[@user-ue5wd3hl7o]

I had my trimmer wire for about seven years, and yes it started to break continuously, I put it in water for a few days, and it hasn’t snapped since, great tip, thanks.

[@waltham1654]

Hey I'm a new subscriber to your channel, retired and love working in the yard. Your channel is very informative to a DYI person like myself. Thanks and Peace.

[@kenhulett8789]

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.

[@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176]

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.

[@slapyomomma]

@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 Or on your headstone: " Well Shit, That Didn't Work"

[@kevinhnlee7414]

I have tried all the shapes of trimmer line. But realistically once you begin trimming the line’s ends wear down quickly so I agree the round makes the best sense. Thanks

[@motehopper]

Plus have you noticed the line Echo puts in the Speed Feed to get you started? Round

[@simonlinington1744]

Hi an excellent video thank you ,I have been using strimmers as we call them in the UK on a professional basis for 40 years or so about 20 years ago someone gave me some vortex trimmer line and I have used it ever since , its clean cut quiet and its easier on the engine got to admit I wish I had known about the hydration of the line , all the best 😊

[@krakadile]

Always talk to the experts. Thank you Chichanic

[@42lookc]

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.

[@Czangrlli422]

What town and state is your shop located?

[@42lookc]

@@Czangrlli422 I'm in Ontario Canada.

[@Czangrlli422]

@@42lookc We need someone like you in NY

[@karenhoyland370]

@@42lookc where in ON are you?

[@macforme]

@@42lookc Then, I'm moving there. 👍🤗