weed eater, whacker, string trimmer whatever you call it...

WI Dan

Well-known Member
can I use a thin piece of braided wire instead of the plastic string? I would thread it though, tie and clamp it to the shaft, thread it through the opposite grommet. Two wires spinning ought to cut a lot without wearing down... maybe?

I'm doing a lot of edges with concrete or wood timbers - wear is a problem.
 
I wouldn't for safety reasons. Piece of wire breaks off at the speed those thing turn. Could be a problem.Plus the machine wasn't designed to use
wire.
 
I tried it once and was not able to keep the ends of the cable from fraying. I would be worried about a projectile coming off if you used a crimp on slug. It does not pay to buy cheap line for your trimmer. Buy some premium line of some sort or get Stihl trimmer line as large as you can get in your trimmer. I think I use .095 in mine. The high dollar line will last at least twice as long in tough cutting.
 
I went with a heavier diameter nylon, and holds up much better in heavier cutting or around fencing. I think .095 diameter or something and has a rougher texture. I found on clearance at end of season, and
bought a large spool.
 
I did that once on a wheeled string trimmer (like the DR trimmer/mower). Large weeds would break the heaviest string that I could find. Used about 3/16 inch braided wire. Worked OK and the wire did fray. And it probably was not real safe, But some of the replacement heads that are sold for string trimmers (one had two small chains similar to chain saw chain) are also not real safe when something in the head breaks. My favorite is the Echo maxi-cut head with three plastic (replaceable)blades. Can not break the blades but wear against concrete might be a problem.
 
Wire does not hold up well and can also be very unsafe. They do make things that last a whole lot longer then the normal string which do work well depending on the brand of machine you have that is
 
Listen to Billy; he's got it figured out. Those bits of wires could get flung all over and right into somebody's legs or other body part. Imagine the infection that could cause. Those small pieces of wire could also be taken in by any grazing animal also. Better search around for the best grade of trim line that you can find.
 
Any size nylon string is no match for wire fence or rocks. Just flies apart. I can't stand having to stop and fiddle with changing line. I use Roundup sparingly around fence posts, but not on an entire run of fence. Who wants to look at dead grass/weeds?

I've used wire rope and have had good results. I always wear eye protection, work gloves, work boots, pants, etc. Never had a problem. I make sure nothing else (people/animals) is around me and am careful to keep it horizontal, and always have the guard attached. I avoid rocks and fences but when occasionally do hit, it just keeps going. To me it's less dangerous than a chainsaw. I have a great deal of respect for power equipment and tools. My experience is that the braided wire simply wears down (much, much slower than nylon) and does not break off in pieces. You want to see flying wire pieces? Just use a wire brush drill attachment.
 
Don't do it, My Dad bought a replacement head (very close to the one in the link)
one of the blades came off and hit me in the leg, probably should have gotten stiches
was sore for more than several months.
Relacement Head
 
Go to a mower shop, see what they have. I was looking at some with an outer covering and an inner core of something, wasn't wire, maybe Kevlar. Didn't buy it because I didn't need it, but maybe next time.

The bigger the better, go with the biggest that will fit the head.

Be sure the grommets are good, if they are worn through they will cut the line.

The lady at the mower shop said trimmer line has a shelf life. Never heard that before, but may be some truth to it. If the line you have is old, or been in the sun, could be part of the problem.
 
Just get any one of the several brands of weed whips I have. They never, ever run out of line. Of course, none of them will start....
 
Well, I didn't expect so much response! Thank you guys. I'll take your word...it certainly makes sense about the wire fray.

I'll go looking for some heavier line. The grommets are pretty big, so it shouldn't be a problem. Only issue is the spool and plunger are gone, so I'll have to figure out a way to attach it. (it was a dumpster-dive machine a friend and I brought back to life)

Really appreciate your input guys. Thank you.
 
The sun will kill plastic. I have the same problem with liquid feed tubs for cattle. In the field for several years. They get brittle.
 
I would not use wire, I gave up on the string years ago and use Stihl PolyCut polymer blade heads. Just bought a new 130 to replace or add with the 25 yr. old FS-86 and went with the same head.
 
(quoted from post at 08:34:01 06/30/16) can I use a thin piece of braided wire instead of the plastic string? I would thread it though, tie and clamp it to the shaft, thread it through the opposite grommet. Two wires spinning ought to cut a lot without wearing down... maybe?

I'm doing a lot of edges with concrete or wood timbers - wear is a problem.

You could maybe make/buy a guide/guard to help guide/keep you away from that stuff.

Like the circle on this.
http://www.drpower.com/productimage...+7.25+fpt+b+s+tow+ms+50st+quicklock+new_r.jpg

They might make attachments like that, I've never looked, wouldn't be hard to make something.
 
I had a Stihl fellow tell me that the line gets dry so I should soak it a few days in water before I used it. I did and it seemed to help
make it last a little longer than when I loaded it dry.
 
For ease of reloading, buy a SpeedFeed brand head for your trimmer. You do not have to take anything apart in order to put new line on it. Reloads in less than a minute. A great development for the string trimmer world. I have put them on four trimmers, best money ($29.95) I have ever spent. They hold about 6-8 feet of line. I usually use .105 or .95 with an Aramid fiber molded into the center of it. Lasts a little bit longer.

The SpeedFeed head comes with adapters for just about any trimmer. I do not use them for a living, just to keep up our farm property.

Garry
 
I tried stainless braided cable in desperation once , lasted all of ten minutes and I could feel the shrapnel hitting my gum boots . Nasty !
I have had really good results from a square cross sectioned trimmer line . Not cheap, but it lasts and lasts and has great performance as well .
 

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