Weed Eater trimmer line or alternatives and other experiences...

[Snowback]

Pull the spool and add zip ties.

Mind Blown... So simple, yet I have never thought of this. Good job. I too want a performance report on this setup. Curious how tough they are...

I use a Husqvarna that works great save for the fact that it spins the "wrong way" and shoots debris at me. Not sure how I missed that - must be for lefties. :confused2:

Gave up on the feeder heads last year and now use this pivot type three/six string head for most light grass and weeds. It is bullet proof - Rino-Tuff Pivotrim Hybrid Gas Trimmer Head-16665 - The Home Depot

For heavier stuff the plastic bladed one works great, but as noted above it will break on a fence post, rock, or barbed wire. Then I have a metal bladed unit with similar design that is a tank, but will cut your toes off if not careful... Here are a few from Gator, but lots of brands make them now. Bladed Units

Growing up I worked after school at a bulk fuel terminal with some rough land around the perimeter. (I was 15-16 years old). There were lots of tall woody cat tails and huge weeds that were a real challenge. The owner was a cool guy and let me bolt on a circular saw blade to the bottom of his industrial trimmer. Amazed I didn't lose any fingers or toes! Sure worked well though.

 

[CCWKen]

Next test up is using a crimped feral on the tips.

Sorry for the delay getting back to this but so far, the crimped ferules (spelled correctly this time) have held up and I've been using the same cables since.

I looked around the shop and found some SS brake line and cut lengths of about 1/2". I gave a lot of thought to the method of crimping and for sure didn't want to just smash them with a hammer. I made a few test lengths of cable and tried a couple of methods including wire terminal crimp pliers (a total bust) and the shop press using some V-dies I use for bending flat iron. That worked ok but it was hard to see the work and I miss-pressed one. I settled on using a battery cable crimper. It's adjustable from #10 wire all the way up to #0 so I went with that. I made up two 24" lengths of cable with crimped ends and installed them on the trimmer. That's what I've been using since.

They've held up through 1/2-3/4" weed stalks and even a brush with some cinder blocks. It will defiantly scar the cinder block so it's best to avoid getting to close. If it does that, it would also cause damage to tree trunks and any wood posts, etc. The cables will sling some good sized stones/rocks too so use caution. But it works for the tasks I have at hand and I haven't had to change plastic cord whips every few minutes. YMMV

 

[TomSeller]

Pull the spool and add zip ties.

Silence is killing me . Does this work?

 

[4570Man]

Silence is killing me . Does this work?

I don't see how it's any better than string.

 

[joefromga]

It probably lasts ten seconds since they are so thin and not meant to be used in that way.

 

[4570Man]

It probably lasts ten seconds since they are so thin and not meant to be used in that way.

Yea, I'm guessing it's worse than string.

 

[TomSeller]

Somebody's gonna have to try it.

 

[4570Man]

Somebody's gonna have to try it.

I'll try it tomorrow. If it works even as good as string I'll be impressed.

 

[4570Man]

Unsurprisingly the zip tie wasn't designed to smack into things at 200 mph and broke off. I deem this modification completely useless. String is better and cheaper. Who would have guessed that?

 

[PILOON]

I modified my husky trimmer to use 1/8" twisted wire cable.
Works quite well as I soldered the ends to delay fraying.
The downside is when it sheds wire strands and they hit your calves as wire is not very forgiving.
It becomes a must to wear high boots or some sort of leg protection.

On the other hand a 10" blade not only cuts grass and twigs but also handles fair sized saplings even up to 2" or so with practice.