How to String a Remington Weed Eater? Simple Line Install

Introduction

If you’ve ever been in the middle of tackling overgrown grass and weeds only to have your Remington weed eater spool run out of line mid-job, you know how frustrating that delay can be. Many homeowners assume that a weed eater with no line needs to be replaced entirely, but restringing costs a fraction of a new tool, often less than $5 for a spool of replacement line, and takes less time than a trip to the hardware store. Replacing the trimmer line is a simple, quick maintenance task that anyone can do at home with no special tools or experience, and learning How to String a Remington Weed Eater? will save you time, money on professional repairs, and keep your yard looking neat all season long. Most Remington weed eaters use a bump-feed or fixed-line trimmer head design that makes line replacement straightforward, even for first-time users. This guide walks you through every step of the process, from identifying your trimmer head type to testing the newly strung line for optimal performance, plus tips for choosing the right line, avoiding common mistakes, and extending the life of your replacement line.

• Understanding Your Remington Weed Eater’s Trimmer Head
• Common Remington Trimmer Head Types
• Tools and Materials You’ll Need
• Step-by-Step Guide to Stringing a Remington Weed Eater
• Preparing the Trimmer Head for New Line
• Loading the Trimmer Line Correctly
• Reassembling and Testing the Trimmer Head
• Choosing the Right Replacement Line for Your Remington
• Tips for Extending Your Trimmer Line’s Lifespan
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Stringing Your Remington Weed Eater
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How often should I replace my Remington weed eater line?
• Can I use any brand of trimmer line for my Remington weed eater?
• Why does my new line keep breaking when I use the weed eater?
• Conclusion

Understanding Your Remington Weed Eater’s Trimmer Head

Remington is a trusted brand for outdoor power equipment, and their weed eaters are known for their durability and long runtime when properly maintained. Learning How to String a Remington Weed Eater? correctly is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your tool and avoid costly repairs or replacements down the line. Before you begin the restringing process, it’s important to understand the type of trimmer head your model uses, as the loading process varies slightly between designs. Most Remington weed eaters fall into one of three common trimmer head categories, each with its own benefits and loading requirements.

Common Remington Trimmer Head Types

Bump-feed heads are the most common design found on residential Remington weed eaters, including the RM25 and RM32 models. They feature a small internal spool that holds the trimmer line, and a feed mechanism that releases more line when you tap the bottom of the head on the ground while the trimmer is running. This design is convenient for quick adjustments on the fly, but it can use line faster than fixed-line heads if you bump it too often.

Fixed-line heads are found on smaller, lightweight Remington models like the RM10, and do not have an internal spool. Instead, a single piece of line is threaded through two small holes on the head, with the ends secured in retaining clips. This design uses line more efficiently and is less likely to jam, but you will need to stop and replace the entire line when it wears down, rather than just bumping for more.

Dual-line heads are standard on larger, more powerful Remington commercial models like the RM50, and use two separate pieces of line wound on a shared spool. This design cuts thicker vegetation faster and more evenly than single-line heads, but it requires a bit more care when loading to avoid tangles.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather all the necessary tools and materials to avoid interruptions mid-process. You will need the following items, all of which are available at most hardware stores for less than $20 total:

• Replacement trimmer line: Match the diameter recommended for your specific Remington model, which is usually listed in your owner’s manual or printed on the side of the existing line spool. Most residential models use .065” or .080” diameter line, while larger commercial models use .095” or larger.
• Work gloves: Trimmer line is extremely sharp and can cause deep cuts to your hands, so always wear thick work gloves when handling it.
• Safety glasses: Grass clippings, small rocks, and debris can fly up while you are working on the trimmer head, so protect your eyes with safety glasses at all times.
• Flathead screwdriver: Some Remington models require a flathead screwdriver to release the trimmer head from the shaft or remove the spool cover.
• Wire cutters or heavy-duty scissors: Used to cut the trimmer line to the correct length.
• Clean rag: For wiping away grass clippings and debris from the trimmer head and spool before loading new line.
• Optional: Trimmer line lubricant: A light silicone-based lubricant can reduce friction and extend the life of your line, especially in dry or dusty conditions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stringing a Remington Weed Eater

This guide works for most Remington weed eater models, but always consult your owner’s manual first for model-specific instructions or warnings. The entire process takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and requires no special mechanical skills.

Preparing the Trimmer Head for New Line

1. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent accidental startup, which can cause serious injury. For electric models, unplug the power cord or remove the battery pack before starting work.
2. Remove the trimmer head from the main shaft of the weed eater: most models require you to twist the head counterclockwise until it releases, while others have a small release tab that you press to detach the head.
3. Empty any remaining old line from the spool, then use a clean rag to wipe away all grass clippings, dirt, and debris from the spool housing and feed slots. Buildup of debris can cause the line to jam or feed improperly, so taking the time to clean the head thoroughly will save you headaches later.

Loading the Trimmer Line Correctly

1. Measure out 10-15 feet of replacement line (most Remington models require this length for optimal performance) and cut it cleanly with wire cutters to avoid frayed ends that can cause jams.
2. For bump-feed heads: Locate the direction arrow printed on the side of the internal spool, then wind the line around the spool tightly and evenly in the direction of the arrow. Overlapping or loose winding will cause tangles and poor feed. Once the spool is full, leave 6-8 inches of line sticking out of each of the feed holes on the bottom of the spool, then tuck the loose ends into the notches on the spool to hold them in place.
3. For fixed-line heads: Thread one end of the cut line through one of the small holes on the side of the trimmer head, pulling it through until an equal length of line is sticking out of both holes. Secure each end of the line in the small retaining clips on the head to prevent it from pulling through while the trimmer is running.
4. For dual-line heads: Wind each piece of line on the separate sections of the shared spool, following the direction arrows for each section. Leave 6 inches of each line sticking out of the feed slots on the bottom of the head, then secure the ends in the retaining clips. Be careful not to cross the lines while winding, as this will cause tangles and poor cutting performance.

Reassembling and Testing the Trimmer Head

1. Place the loaded spool back into the trimmer head housing, making sure it seats flush against the bottom of the housing and spins freely without catching.
2. Replace the spool cover and secure it with the retaining screw or clip, making sure it is tight enough to prevent the spool from falling out while the trimmer is running.
3. Reattach the trimmer head to the main shaft of the weed eater, twisting it clockwise until it is fully seated and tight.
4. Reconnect the spark plug wire to the spark plug (or reinsert the battery pack/plug in the power cord for electric models).
5. To test the line, rev the engine slightly (for gas models) or turn on the power (for electric models) and bump the bottom of the head on the ground if you have a bump-feed model. The line should extend smoothly to the correct length (usually 6-8 inches) and retract slightly when you stop bumping. If the line does not extend, turn off the weed eater and check that the line is wound in the correct direction, the spool is seated properly, and the feed holes are not blocked with debris.

Choosing the Right Replacement Line for Your Remington

Using the wrong type or diameter of trimmer line is one of the most common causes of poor performance and frequent line breakage, so it’s important to select the right line for your Remington model and intended use. The diameter of the line is the most critical factor: line that is too thick will not fit through the feed slots in your trimmer head, while line that is too thin will break easily when cutting thicker vegetation. Most Remington residential weed eaters use .065” diameter line for light grass and weed cutting, while .080” line is better for thicker weeds and small brush. Commercial models typically use .095” or larger square or serrated line for heavy-duty cutting. The table below compares the most common types of trimmer line to help you choose the best option for your needs.

If you are unsure which line to choose, refer to your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended specifications, or contact Remington customer support for assistance.

Tips for Extending Your Trimmer Line’s Lifespan

With proper care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your trimmer line by 2-3 times, reducing the frequency of replacements and saving money on supplies. Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your line:

1. Avoid cutting against hard surfaces: Concrete, rocks, fence posts, and tree trunks will wear down trimmer line extremely quickly, and can even cause it to break mid-cut. Always keep the line 1-2 inches away from hard surfaces when trimming, and use an edging attachment for clean cuts along sidewalks and driveways.
2. Maintain the correct line length: Most Remington weed eaters perform best with 6-8 inches of line extending from the head. Longer line creates more drag on the engine, reduces cutting power, and wears down faster, while shorter line may not cut efficiently.
3. Lubricate the line regularly: Applying a small amount of silicone-based lubricant to the line every few uses reduces friction between the line and the trimmer head, preventing drying and cracking, especially in hot, dry climates.
4. Store your weed eater properly: When not in use, store your weed eater in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, which can degrade the plastic and line material over time. Remove the line from the spool if you will be storing the weed eater for more than a month to prevent it from becoming brittle.
5. Use the correct line for your model: Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for line diameter and type. Using line that is too thick will strain the engine and reduce runtime, while line that is too thin will break frequently and require more frequent replacements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Stringing Your Remington Weed Eater

Even experienced users can make simple mistakes when restringing their weed eater that lead to poor performance or frequent line breakage. Avoid these common errors to make the process smoother and get the most out of your line:

1. Winding the line in the wrong direction: Almost all Remington trimmer heads have a direction arrow printed on the spool indicating which way to wind the line. Winding the line in the opposite direction will cause it to jam, not feed properly, or even tangle around the spool and damage the trimmer head. Always double-check the direction arrow before winding.
2. Overfilling the spool: It can be tempting to pack as much line as possible onto the spool to reduce the number of replacements, but overfilling will cause the line to overlap, tangle, and jam in the feed slots. Leave a small 1/4 inch gap between the top of the line and the spool cover to allow for smooth feeding.
3. Using low-quality aftermarket line: Cheap, low-quality trimmer line is often made from brittle plastic that breaks easily, even when used correctly. Spend a little extra on high-quality aftermarket line or OEM Remington line to reduce breakage and extend the life of your trimmer.
4. Skipping the safety step of disconnecting the spark plug: Even if you think the weed eater is off, an accidental bump of the trigger can start the engine while you are working on the trimmer head, leading to serious cuts or injury. Always disconnect the spark plug wire before starting any maintenance.
5. Not testing the line after reassembly: It’s easy to assume you loaded the line correctly, but skipping the test step can leave you stranded mid-job with a trimmer that won’t feed line. Always test the line before putting the weed eater back into use to catch any issues early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my Remington weed eater line?

Most residential users who trim grass and light weeds 1-2 times per week will need to replace their trimmer line every 2-4 weeks. Commercial users who trim dense brush and heavy vegetation daily may need to replace line every 1-2 days. If you notice the line breaking frequently, not extending when you bump the head, or leaving uneven, ragged cuts on vegetation, it’s time to replace it. Proper storage and using the correct line type can significantly extend the time between replacements.

Can I use any brand of trimmer line for my Remington weed eater?

Yes, you can use third-party trimmer line for your Remington weed eater as long as it matches the recommended diameter and type for your specific model. There is no requirement to use OEM Remington-branded line, as most reputable aftermarket lines are made to the same or higher quality standards and are often much more affordable. Just avoid extremely cheap, no-name line, as it is often made from low-quality plastic that breaks easily and can damage your trimmer head.

Why does my new line keep breaking when I use the weed eater?

Frequent line breakage is almost always caused by one of a few common issues: using the wrong line diameter for your model, winding the line too tightly on the spool, cutting against hard surfaces like concrete or rocks, or having a damaged trimmer head with sharp edges that cut the line as it feeds. First, confirm you are using the correct line diameter for your model, then check that you are not winding the line too tightly, and avoid cutting near hard objects. If the problem persists, inspect your trimmer head for any sharp or damaged parts that may need to be replaced.

Conclusion

Learning How to String a Remington Weed Eater? is a simple, valuable skill that will keep your yard looking tidy without the hassle of waiting for professional repairs or replacing the entire trimmer head. By following the step-by-step guide in this article, choosing the right replacement line for your model, and avoiding common mistakes, you can complete the task in 10-15 minutes with no special tools. Regular maintenance, including proper line storage and avoiding damage from hard surfaces, will extend the life of your line and keep your Remington weed eater running smoothly for years to come. The next time your trimmer runs out of line mid-job, you’ll be able to fix it quickly and get back to tackling your yard work without unnecessary delays.