How to Rewind Starter Recoil Spring Cassette

After watching all the other videos on how to rewind a recoil spring, I combined some tricks from each of them and made my own method that is easy, fast, and can be used for pretty much any recoil spring. Once it's wrapped up, you can also use a zip tie similar to other methods to keep it coiled and insert it into tight spaces if necessary.

[@ofdiscordia]

This is brilliant. Anyone that's ever fought to get a recoil spring back in place will appreciate this video. Thanks!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thank you! If it helps one person avoid the struggles I went through, I consider that a mission accomplished!

[@joleaiperlis5347]

I hated it!! Was never able to install it. Just but the whole assembly in a junk yard.😅😅

[@als1023]

Excellent video, method works like a charm ! If you have an older style Stihl, like I did with the metal cassette, this still works. Your outside tab on the spring will stick out of the cassette and you just need to pull it around the metal tab on the casing that it locks on. Good idea and well demonstrated man !!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thanks for the feedback! Always happy to hear this is helping people out!

[@bigtexas7580]

*You're a genius man. You should look into marketing this tool, many small engine mechanics would buy including me.*

[@bertmaster2000]

Thanks for the tips, I couldn't have done this without seeing your video!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

No problem! Glad to hear I helped someone!

[@larrydell3435]

Watching your video I was able to fix my remington chain saw thank you....

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

No problem! Glad it helped!

[@daveoverbey2032]

I give you credit it works, but I like another video I saw the guy use a nail in a wood bench hooked the spring to it used a drill on the center & coiled it quickly & efficiently w/ it's drill pins opened up just enough to slide the center end between them so to lock & hold it tightly for coiling it. He then placed a long zip tie around the coil to lock it from unwrapping itself & w/ a couple pieces of gorilla tape on the top side of the spring & pressed it into the coils tight securing it from springing up or out. But your way too looks good to do to. Thanks for sharing it. I give it a thumbs up.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thanks! I haven't tried the drill method, but it definitely seems like it could be quicker than this.

[@mikelabomusic7782]

Hey man. I really want to thank you for posting this. I looked at several other videos and this method was by far the simplest and most effective. I didn't need zip ties or duct tape or power drill. My situation was slightly different from yours but I was able to get the job done relatively easily. I was surprised at how well this worked. Pat yourself on the back and thanks again. You saved me from having to buy another poor-quality recoil spring. The one that flaked on me is less than a year old. So it goes.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Awesome! I'm glad to hear it helped...I've heard of people having success with just coiling it from the outside, in, but I don't recall if I've tried that yet myself, so I'm not certain if it works out. But I know this method works well! haha :-)

[@poppyteague8288]

thanks, you saved me three hours of trouble

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Happy to help!

[@pjm0551]

Great Job nice presentation Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Glad it helped you out! Thanks for watching!

[@andrewray822]

Thanks. Just used this in fixing a recoil starter on a mower.

[@markb2172]

Thanks for the video. I recently had to rewind an unsprung spring. Using my hands (gloves on) I could get it wound tight enough in size that it would fit in the space, but it unwound enough when I'd try to put it in that I couldn't get it in. HOWEVER - what I discovered is if you start winding the spring from the outside in, inside the recoil housing, it was pretty easy. Hook the outer tab first, then start winding the spring inside, from the outside in. I had it rewound in just a few minutes.

[@curiouscharacter1]

+Mark B Thanks! Your comment was just what I needed to rewind my poulan chain saw pulley spring. A neighbor and I tried to reload the spring over 2 hours with no luck and came to the conclusion that a special tool was needed. After reading your post, I went out in the garage and, in 15 minutes had it reloaded, In another 5 minutes figured out how to retension so the rope and handle pulled up tight. Best regards.

[@larryheller6963]

I have one I have to rewind now, which is why I watched the video. Life Is For Enjoying said he doesn't have the recoil housing, but I do and I was planning to try exactly what you said worked for you. Now having seen your comment saying that it worked, that is nice to know before I start!

[@larryheller6963]

Followup to my earlier comment - I was able to get the spring back into the recoil housing using only my hands also; I found it helpful to gently clamp the recoil housing in a bench vice. Still think your method is effing clever for folks that don't have the housing!

[@HerGuitarTutor]

Thanks, after reading your suggestion, 5 minutes later using my cheap Chinese junk chain saw again! Wind into cassette from outside in :-)

[@edmundkgibbonsjr1939]

Outstanding! My Roybi 28120 spring exploded in my hand...I suppose it would have been funny on U-tube happening to someone else but it was me and it wasn't funny. I used the pull starter numerous times and it didn't work. The Ryobi cassette has a small notch in it. The spring is bent about 1" from the end of the spring. After many attempts at the on way, I decided to try the other and opposite way, that is, I put the spring into the notch, and then wound the spring into the cassette from the OUTSIDE to the INSIDE by turning the cassette in my hand. This worked well after a couple tries. The only addition I would like to make is to wear eye protection. This spring is very strong and can damage an eye without much trouble! Thanks for your presentation!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

I'm not sure whether or not I tried winding from the outside in, since this video was so long ago, but it does seem like a lot of people have success with that, so I should have tried that before reverting to the nonsense in this video, haha. Good advice on the eye protection! I should have also been wearing gloves of some sort, because the spring almost sliced my finger when I pulled it out at the beginning!

[@michaeldominy2084]

I like it, well done, that’s another way for me to try.👍

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thanks! Best of luck to you!

[@mr.beachwalker7154]

it is always a pleasure to watch a genius at work. thanks for the vid.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Haha, I don't know about "genius", but thanks! Hope it helped you out!

[@moofushu]

I could have used this information years ago on one of my old line trimmers. I had no idea how to rewind the recoil spring and it was just impossible. I no longer have that trimmer, but its sure good to see how that problem is solved. I was stumped when I came cross it and always hated that I couldn't figure it out. Thanks for making the video. Watching this video It almost seems like it would help if one of the boards was replaced with a sheet of plexiglass so you could see the progress of the winding.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

moofushu that's a very good point about the plexiglass, you just need to make sure it is fairly rigid plexiglass, to avoid it bending from the pressure and letting it loose... Some thick half inch, perhaps?

[@elianmaidana378]

Thank you very much greetings from Argentina

[@Bernieclark45]

You are a star.

[@amerikanstafford]

Bravo man does a great job.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thanks!

[@antoniorose2461]

Brilliant method!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thank you!

[@samjones3754]

Your a fucking genius. Mine has come off twice now and this made it tons easier. Thanks for the share!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Hahaha, thanks! Glad it helped you out

[@tomellis37]

genius! thx, man!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

haha, why thank you! Hopefully it helped you out!

[@gabor5610]

Nagyon jó a videó nekem nagyon sokat segített, kis türelem, de sikerült megoldanom a problémát.Köszönöm.

[@roryderbyshire4630]

Awesome mate

[@robertrohweder9529]

thank you worked just like your video no more throwing wrenches

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Awesome! Glad it helped you out a bit!

[@wkb21]

It's worth pointing out that there's a lot of stored energy in the fully wound spring. If it breaks loose when fully tightened it could cause serious lacerations and worse. I strongly recommend that you wear heavy gloves and face protection!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

K Burns I can definitely agree with that....it didn't cut my fingers off or anything, but when I intentionally took the spring out of the cassette, it pinched my fingers and hurt quite a bit. I should have been wearing gloves for sure

[@saveriofavilla9320]

Sei impazzito di tutto punto

[@chopsmojo]

Genius mate

[@davidhall9989]

thank you it makes it easer to do

[@emmanuelmarchal9741]

Pure genius ! Thanks from France

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

No problem! Glad it helped!

[@elpalizas]

Sencillamente genial! Thanks,

[@debramccarthy7493]

Thanks!!! it worked :)

[@doneremmiur9213]

thank you very much..extremely helpful

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Doner Emmiur no problem, happy to help! Thanks for watching!

[@emubernie]

Sharp kid! Hope it works!

[@edmundkgibbonsjr1939]

When I was a kid, I was breaking up some concrete with a sledge hammer for my father. The hunk of concrete was the base of a clothes-line, so it had a steel pipe in it. Well, to make a short story longer, I struck the steel pipe with the hammer. No biggie. However, after a period of time, I developed a severe 'headache in my eye'. I wound up down at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. I had a splinter of steel in my eye. I remember the doctor taking a hand held drill type of device to remove the splinter out of my eye. It was like some sci-fi movie with a drill moving closer and closer to my eye and yes, I was scared to death. I never forgot the experience of that drill coming into my eye. In addition, my Air Force maintenance training emphasized safety at all times. Therefore, I am a safety 'bug' because I know from personal experience, the opposite of safety: injury, when safety is not followed. It's been nice talking to you. I wish the Lord's blessing on you and yours. Take care. Sincerely, Ed Gibbons

[@funk6785]

AS a autobody tec and mechinc for 43 yrs, I allwayes kept a magnet in my tool box in case metal chips got in my eyes. Works great

[@213segura8]

God bless u to i had a metal in my eye as well i remember every time i came across light my eye hurting and tearing up it was painful. So now im always using my safety gear . Stay bless

[@bennyrussell5551]

I had a stupid blond working for me on a circuit board assy line clipping leads on the soldered boards, she would drop clippings into her eyes, so she could go to the ER and away from work. Fired her ass after the second time.

[@ByDesign333]

funk 👍....great tip...thnx!!!

[@gmolopez4056]

Ha ha ha inteligence is more than eny thing. Thanks.

[@Plan-C]

Wish I had seen this yesterday! What a nightmare. It is worse when they are covered in oil. Took all day but got there in the end lol. I would advise safety goggles too.

[@Pinebrookjohn75]

How do you know which way the recoil spring goes in the the mower. Ty for such a great video.

[@boltonky]

Sometimes i feel like its easier just to pay for another recoil spring and save time...but yes method does work.

[@Mark-op7jo]

it is

[@itellsri]

Amazing ....

[@MrFiveStarzz]

nice tutorial

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thanks! Glad it helped you out!

[@larryheller6963]

Very clever!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Thanks! Hopefully it helps people!

[@engthyekam4342]

Thanks

[@Alysavos-rd4tp]

what if i broke the middle hingy part? can i somehow remake it? i wish i had seen your video earlier...

[@alexthebest1401]

ill b doing the same thing in a few mins. gonna try with my hands. wish me luck. lol

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

How'd it go? Success with just hands?

[@alexthebest1401]

LifeIsForEnjoying ya know what. i didn't have to take apart the pull start at all. i just rewound the pull cord by turning the flywheel in reverse and then just gave it a bath in pb blaster and it wound back rather easily

[@alexthebest1401]

now the pull start works likeva dream but now it wont start. lol. it started the day before but now it might need some start fluid

[@jamesjohnson4698]

Alex Andersen how'd that go using your hands..jus done the same and it was a disaster

[@conbrod731]

Impressive thinking

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Why, thank you!

[@marcb8874]

merci , très bonne idée

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

You're very welcome! Glad I could help!

[@freddyt444]

I did it all by hand

[@marcb8874]

merci , bonne idée

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

No problem, thank you!

[@michaellicavoli3921]

I was inspired by your technique in general, but came up with a simple method using a coffee container lid and a winding stick with your two prong winding method. Once I wind the spring in the lid, I slip the spring cassette over the winding stick and seat over the spring. Send an email and I will send a pix.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

That sounds pretty brilliant, good work!

[@killer2600]

The only downside is it looks like the inside hook part gets bent out of shape. The last spring I did was pretty brittle and tended to break/snap when being bent so probably would have snapped during the winding or during the straightening if I used this method.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Yea, I did also notice a bit of deformation when I did this, but I believe I was able to bend it back with some pliers and make it work.... Luckily it didn't break!

[@isabellamya9627]

Lol this helped my dad 😂

[@jackweaver5937]

Thank you!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

+Jack Weaver No problem! Thanks for watching and hopefully it helped you out a bit!

[@bharathiraja9040]

Duper

[@jose421tal1]

YOU genious!!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

haha, well thank you very much!

[@anilsharma-ev2my]

Use a spring which store 100000 joules of energy and use hydraulic power for it to winding it up. Now we are able to power a dynamo so it can give electricity now fuel not required to cook your food

[@robertotrentini6391]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@rainolipponen]

Thanks!

[@techbill2900]

I just went out into my garage and all my plywood is gone.

[@abacabbclassicgaming7392]

i use my hands and hands only. squeezing the spring together while winding it up. but good video for people with weak hands

[@whipit24]

Nahh....you just have a weak ass spring.

[@jackweaver5937]

what manufacturer did you order this spring from?

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

The spring was for a Radne Raket 120 for my powered hang glider. I think I ordered replacement springs directly from radne, but it may have been Husqvarna because it is essentially a clone of one of their engines

[@Bob_Adkins]

Nice! But I see a blood stain on the plywood. Thank you for your sacrifice! :)

[@Bob_Adkins]

@Russ GallagherHaha, I know, you should see some of my projects.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

You gotta make mistakes to learn! :-)

[@luispapek2026]

El enganche exterior de la cinta va doblada hacia afuera.

[@ajengwahyuni1959]

Gtfttttŕty7t0 7 wq1bcz 463iìp99l89l

[@ajengwahyuni1959]

8 8 uu ui8u088l8

[@rolobotoman]

maybe you coupdn't do this, but usually the trick is to wind it outside first directly in the cassette.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

+Lobotoman Thanks! I actually started seeing that suggestion in other places after I came up with this method and made the video...I have yet to actually try that, but I'm a bit embarrassed I didn't think of it sooner, lol

[@rolobotoman]

Oh that's nothing. I had a chainsaw with a loose pull string.. opened it up, the recoil mechanism was behind the flywheel (?!).. ok I'll just disassemble that and see what I can do... oh noe apparently the previous owner tried to fix it too and stripped the nut it won't come off. FML I go get the grinder and gently proceed to file the nut off.. then I take the flywheel out, take out a bunch of rings and things, get to the spring cassette, take it out and look at it, remove the spring put it back.. and then it hits me, to fix my problem I just would have had to pull the string, keep the tension and wrap the string around once or twice.. fuuuu!

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

+Lobotoman hahaha, thankfully I learned that lesson when I had to replace the spring anyway and put everything back together... Loose cord was a 5 minute fix, but I probably would have done the same thing

[@raytnla]

Smart

[@shirohige61]

good! なるほど、なるほど。

[@AnaAna-fg5yc]

Como se pasa a Español

[@circusfreakonstilts1343]

Ana Ana Hola, soy la esposa de Matt. Traduje las instrucciones en español para ti. Usa los subtítulos. Saludos!

[@GSXRAlstareK3]

And then you have to put that into case ... HOW? Sovereign XSZ40 is not that simple it has no cassette to use ..

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Brian Potter if it isn't a cassette like that, you might be able to use the device itself to wind it back up, but can't say for sure without looking at it in person, sorry :-/

[@zagrepcanin82]

yes that works....but it is easier to rewind the spring using only your hands.....it is not that hard....

[@paulroberts9578]

Get your camera on scene.

[@allenletizia321]

Just when you say just like so I can not see what your doing way to dark. Wish there was better lighting . That where I need to see. That what my spring looks like long end bend in it. Trying fig it out how that part sat. Nice job wish had better lighting.

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Yeaaaa, sorry about that. Between the bad lighting, bad audio, bad focus, and my phone battery dying, it's definitely not a very well-produced video, but I just wanted to get it out there quick in case it might help someone.

[@ranjangowda355]

Agri mart power veedar spring rolls

[@brucelaw8085]

How do I order a recoil spring for a weed eatter

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

I would start by googling your model number and "recoil spring" to find the part number, then find an online retailer like Amazon that has it

[@bennyrussell5551]

Why all the fuss? I've been rewinding these springs since I was 10 yrs. old. I guess the younger generation needs instruction.

[@whipit24]

Somebody needs a pat on the back. ATTABOY BENNY! Apparently 10 year olds are much smarter than the rest of us.....

[@brucehaas9166]

How can I get this video OFF my KZbin ....? It pops up and starts playing EVERY TIME I open YT

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Lol, I've never heard of that happening and have no idea how to fix it for you, but thanks for the traffic! 😆

[@brucehaas9166]

@@LifeIsForEnjoying If you hear of a "fix", please share.

[@dulex4193]

Ne lazi

[@riajames3813]

P

[@tomh4685]

You are doing it the hard way kid.... seriously this should take 30 seconds.

[@diaperjoeisaped1723]

Ok smartass. Show everyone how it it done. 👎👎👎👎👎

[@sergioortega2178]

En español

[@westernspud504]

What a Fracking joke ,, just kept spinning out on me ,, hhahhaha KZbin is full of crap .

[@LifeIsForEnjoying]

Sorry it hasn't been working for you so far...at what point is it spinning out on you? Have you tried wrapping it by hand from the outside in like other people have suggested?

[@jugfhj]

LOl what a waste of time literally takes 30seconds to wind it into the plastic by using your hands only