To respool a weed eater, first disconnect the spark plug (for gas models) or remove the battery (for electric models) for safety. Press the tabs on the trimmer head to remove the spool cover, then take out the empty spool. Remove any old line, then load new line by inserting one end into the anchor hole and winding it in the direction shown by the arrows on the spool, leaving a few inches free. Feed the loose ends through the eyelets in the head, replace the spool and cover, and test the feed by gently tapping the head on the ground.
Before You Start: Safety and Preparation
Respooling a weed eater is a straightforward task, but doing it safely and with the right materials makes the job much easier. Taking a few minutes to prepare prevents accidents and ensures the new line works correctly.
How Do I Safely Prepare My Weed Eater Before Respooling?
The most important safety step is to ensure the trimmer cannot start while you are working on it. For gas-powered models, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug. This removes the possibility of the engine accidentally firing. For electric models, remove the battery pack or unplug the cord from the power source.
Once the power is disconnected, lay the trimmer on a flat, stable surface with the head facing up. This gives you easy access to the spool and prevents the head from spinning or moving while you work. Wearing work gloves can protect your hands from sharp edges on the head and from the line itself, which can be surprisingly stiff.
What Type and Diameter of Line Should I Use?
Using the correct line diameter is essential for proper feeding and cutting performance. The recommended diameter is usually printed on the trimmer head or listed in the owner’s manual. Common residential sizes include 0.065, 0.080, and 0.095 inches. Using line that is too thick can jam the feed mechanism, while line that is too thin may break easily or not cut effectively.
You can also purchase pre-wound spools that are ready to drop into the head. These are convenient because they eliminate the need to wind the line yourself. If you are winding line from a bulk spool, make sure the diameter matches your trimmer’s specification before you start.
Removing the Spool and Cover
Accessing the spool is the first hands-on step in the respooling process. The method varies slightly depending on the design of your trimmer head.
How Do I Remove the Spool Cover on a Bump-Feed Head?
Most residential trimmers use a bump-feed head, which has a removable cover held in place by two or more tabs. To remove it, press the tabs inward while pulling the cover away from the head. The cover should pop off with moderate pressure. If it is stuck, you can use a flat-head screwdriver to gently pry it loose, being careful not to damage the plastic.
Once the cover is off, the spool will be visible. In many designs, the spool sits directly in the head and can be lifted out by hand. In others, there may be a spring or a retaining clip that holds the spool in place. If the spool does not lift out easily, check for a spring that needs to be compressed or a clip that needs to be released.
What If My Trimmer Uses a Different Head Design?
Some trimmers use a fixed-line head or a speed-feed head with a different removal method. Fixed-line heads often have a small cap on the side that unscrews to reveal the spool. Speed-feed heads typically have a knob or a cap that twists off, allowing you to feed line through the side without removing the entire head.
Regardless of the design, the general principle is the same: locate the cover or cap, release the locking mechanism, and remove the spool. If you are unsure how your specific head comes apart, consult the owner’s manual or look for a diagram online. Forcing a cover or cap can crack the plastic and ruin the head.
Loading New Line onto the Spool
With the old line removed and the spool in hand, you are ready to wind on the new line. Getting this step right is the key to smooth, reliable feeding.
Which Direction Should I Wind the Line?
Always wind the line in the direction indicated by the arrows printed on the spool. These arrows show the correct winding direction, which corresponds to how the line feeds out of the head. Winding in the wrong direction is one of the most common causes of line not feeding properly.
To begin, locate the anchor hole on the spool. Insert one end of the line into this hole and pull it through until it catches. Then begin winding the line around the spool in the direction of the arrows. Keep the line taut as you wind to ensure it sits evenly on the spool. Stop winding when the line is level with the outer edges of the spool flanges, leaving a small gap to prevent overfilling.
How Much Line Should I Wind onto the Spool?
The amount of line depends on the spool’s capacity, which is usually indicated on the spool itself or in the manual. A common mistake is overfilling the spool, which prevents the line from feeding and causes tangles. As a general rule, fill the spool until the line is just below the outer rim of the flanges.
After winding, leave a few inches of line free at the end. This loose portion is what you will feed through the eyelets in the head. If you are using a pre-wound spool, this step is already done for you, and you can skip directly to reassembly.
Reassembling the Head and Testing
Once the spool is loaded, you need to put everything back together and confirm that the line feeds correctly. This final assembly step is simple but important.
How Do I Feed the Line Through the Eyelets?
With the spool in place inside the head, locate the eyelets, which are the small holes or guides on the sides of the head where the line exits. Take the loose ends of the line and thread each one through its corresponding eyelet. Pull the line through until you feel resistance from the spool.
For a bump-feed head, you may need to hold the spool in place while you thread the line to prevent it from unwinding. Some heads have a small notch or slot that holds the line in position during assembly. Once both ends are threaded through the eyelets, replace the cover by pressing it firmly until the tabs click into place.
How Do I Test That the Line Feeds Properly?
After reassembly, reconnect the spark plug or reinstall the battery. Start the trimmer and let it run at a low speed. Gently tap the head on the ground to activate the bump-feed mechanism. The line should advance slightly with each tap. If the line does not feed, the spool may be wound too tightly, or the line may not be threaded correctly through the eyelets.
If the line feeds out too much at once, the spool may be overfilled. Remove the cover, unwind a small amount of line, and try again. Once the line feeds correctly, trim the exposed ends to the recommended length, typically 4 to 6 inches per side, before you begin cutting.
Troubleshooting Common Respooling Problems
Even with careful technique, you may encounter issues after respooling. Knowing how to diagnose and fix these problems saves time and frustration.
Why Won’t My Line Feed After Respooling?
If the line will not feed, the most common causes are winding in the wrong direction, overfilling the spool, or failing to thread the line through the eyelets correctly. Check the arrows on the spool to confirm the winding direction is correct. If the spool is overfilled, the line cannot move freely, so remove some line and try again.
Also verify that the line is actually threaded through the eyelets and not just resting on top of them. If the line is not seated in the eyelet, the feed mechanism cannot pull it out. Finally, make sure the cover is fully seated and the tabs are engaged, as a loose cover can interfere with the feed mechanism.
Why Does My Line Keep Tangling or Jamming?
Tangling and jamming are usually caused by uneven winding or using the wrong line diameter. If the line is wound loosely or crosses over itself on the spool, it can tangle as it feeds. Remove the line and rewind it carefully, keeping it taut and even across the spool.
Using line that is too thick for the head can also cause jamming, as the line cannot pass through the eyelet or the feed mechanism smoothly. Check that your line diameter matches the specification for your trimmer. Additionally, inspect the head for debris, such as grass clippings or dirt, that may be blocking the eyelets or the feed mechanism, and clean it out if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Respool My Weed Eater?
The frequency depends on how often you use the trimmer and what you are cutting. Light trimming of grass may allow the line to last for several sessions, while cutting against hard surfaces or thick weeds wears the line down much faster. Check the exposed line length before each use and respool when the line becomes too short to feed out or when it shows signs of cracking or brittleness. For regular weekly use, you may need to respool every few weeks.
Can I Reuse Old Line When Respooling?
In most cases, it is not worth reusing old line. Old line that has been used for cutting is often worn, brittle, or weakened, which makes it more likely to break during use. Removing and rewinding used line can also be difficult because it tends to hold its coiled shape and may tangle. For the best performance and reliability, always use fresh line when respooling.
