string trimmer string

ctb1980

Member
I have an old IDC string trimmer that is probably approaching 25 years old. I have never seen another one that old and still running but it keeps on going. Of course it needs a little TLC every now and then.My question today and the issue we have is the string seems to break easily. We have tried different guages and brands of string and seem to get the same results. The strings always break off flush and then you have to take it apart and rethread it. I just wondered if any one else has had this problem and what kind of solutions you have found?
 

Not sure how the head is set up on this but I switched all my trimmers over to a fixed line system, no line breaking , welding and it lasts much longer than conventional line

https://bolenspartsandsupplies.com/chainsaw-parts/universal-fixed-line-trimmer-head-fits-many-models-of-weed-eaters/
 
All plastics are not the same. I found the fluorescent chartruce in the .065 and orange in the .095 with the star rather than round geometry holds up much better than the round and is advertised as such on the container. Otherwise, like others, get a permanent type of cutting attachment.
 
I just retired a ryan weed wacker(pre idc)in april due to stamped steel rod giving up the ghost,although I still have 2 other idc/ryobi units that run well & have replaced bearings/carbs on each several times as ryan,idc & ryobi weed wackers are all the same with the exception of cosmetic changes & either a sraight/curved shaft.For yrs I've used the orange echo brand serrated 4 point .080" line,previous to that I had breakage problems in small sizes.

Several things that may be causeing your problem:
1-in time frame for ryan/idc we're talking about they also made a corded electric version weed wacker that used same head/spool design & usually used smooth .030"-.060" line in both single/dual line versions,if you're useing line in this size range this may be your problem as line doesn't hold up well to higher speed/power of gas powered units(been there/done it)

2-cogs on line spool worn or head houseing worn/warped & line slipping under spool cogs allowing line to be cut by cogs or line snapping due to same being held by cogs & can't flex/move.

3-spring on back of line spool weak due to age.
 
Check your eyelets in the string head. they may be worn on the load side and causing problems with the string.

Also, the Commercial cutters around here in NC say that their string lasts longer if they soak it 24 hrs. in water before installing it.
 
I read that too but really confused as to the mechanism....plastic absorbing water? What happens when the water evaporates after a day or two? Sounds like an old wives tale to me........but I haven't tried it so I have no say in the matter.
 
It's not an old wives tale about boiling/soaking molded nylon products that are subjected to hi speed & stress as most/all nylon products that are molded lose moisture/shrink in the molding process due to heat & prone to developing stress points or break easily with heavy load/hi rpm.

For yrs 60's-80's and possibly later top flite,graupner,tornado and several other mfg of nylon props for model airplanes recommened either boiling or soaking props for 24hrs before use to hydrate nylon to replace moisture in same lost in molding process & storeing props wrapped in wet/damp paper towels in a sealed container between use.Nylon being nylon soaking trimmer line/line & spool in water overnight/between use's will probably extend line life as same is not as brittle when moisture absorbed into line.

Twenty yrs ago/more I converted several ryobi trimmer eng for model airplane use,these eng can easily turn up 10K rpm with a 16" prop so its easy to see why nylon trimmer line will snap easily when old/dried out & subject to hi rpm/load.
 
I agree with other comments that your problem may be due to wear in the line head causing excess strain on the line. I also agree with Joe Csuti, that using slightly larger line can also be an advantage. A few years ago I bought a large coil of (I believe) .095 silver colored line at Lowe's Home Improvement. When you looked at it closely, it was triangular shaped, some of the toughest and best lasting line I have ever used.
 
Just funny. Like when nylon was introduced in tire cord to replace cotton which rotted, and nylon is used in environmentally exposed applications and on and on. Not aware of the chemical compositon, nor the properties per se. but just seems odd.
 
Is stress the problem behind vinyl siding that seems tough, can't put a hole in it with a hammer, but get a sudden temperature change and get big holes in it from hail?
 
Well I gave it a try a couple of days ago. Soaked some orange high performance in a bucket of water for 2 days. Objectively, it seemed to do better, but by the second day had dried out again, not as bad as initially, but not as good as the first day. So I give. It does absorb water to a degree.
 
Husqvarna titanium line sold by our local True Value is the best I ever used, it won't weld to itself inside the head & then snap off. A little pricey, but worth it for not having to keep rethreading when it snaps off.
 

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