I would think this would be a bad idea... like years ago when I replaced the line on my Dr Trimmer/mower with aircraft cable, for the very same reason... (this was at least a decade before I ever even thought I would get into commercial mowing..) I wanted more cutting ability, with a longer lasting line, etc. What I failed to anticipate at the time was that it was not as flexible as the plastic line, nor did it feel very good when pieces of it broke off and stuck into my leg, as metal will eventually just break off in chunks vs plastic line kind-of wears away in small, unnoticeable amounts.

Plus, there is some sort of argument about having a head full of metal having more rotational mass, thus possibly causing clutch issues down the road from overworking, esp when used on a smaller trimmer that is much more suitable for every day trimming, as opposed to a larger one that has the ability to use blades (which kills you when used for normal trimming every day..).

Plus, normal trimmer line would be much more forgiving if you were to accidentally touch something you didn't mean to touch, (a plant, foundation, freshly-cut garden edge, etc..) even if you scalped the ground (Maybe you misstep/trip/etc while trimming.).

 

and what happens when said wire breaks an lodges into a person animal or damages someone else's property?

 

That can be said about a gas engine trimmer. It is a little bomb you know. The engine gets hot! There is always the possibility of a fire. Engines also come appart (blow up/appart). What happens when that happens...
The true reason they use plastic is because it wears so much faster... so, you have to use more, and buy more. Its about money. Why have they not made the plastic reinforced with wire? Kevlar reinforced? Carbon fiber reinforced? Like they do in so many industrial products. It would last to long? They would make less money? Prices may double or triple and the product might last 10 times as long. They sure dont want that...
What would you do if your weed eater line price went up 4 times but lasted 10 times as long? Most would buy it!

 

It's all good until a piece of that wire breaks off. You could be injured or worse yet, you could seriously hurt somebody else. Seems like I've read warnings with new line trimmers that specifically say NOT to use wire.
Try going to a larger gauge or different style of line.

 

As to solve your dilemma, we use mostly really small 0.065 line every day. This is enough to cut what you want it to, yet avoid accidental damage. This is much smaller and lighter line than most here would normally use (0.080 is a commonly loved size). We also keep a machine spooled up with 0.130 just in case we need it, but we really only use that for brushcutting ( works like a charm, MUCH better/faster than using blades..). We are always using the 0.065 line for trimming/cleaning up the edges on asphalt and concrete driveways and walkways (I have even cut new garden edges with it) and we still only seem to go through minimal amounts of it.

I guess it comes down to finding a size of line that works for you, and also figuring out how to not run it up against absolutely everything around you, to save the most line. You also tend to go through much less of it when you don't have so much of it out at a time that you can mow an 18" swath with it at a time lol.

 

Gotta be one of the worst ideas I've ever seen on this site.

Your a lawn monkey and adding trimmer line to spools is just part of the deal.

Buy about 4 bump heads and just rotate through those!
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Had friend tried that used a small cable and he had go to Hospital to get chunks of wire cut out of his legs and few in his arm

 

I never under stood how people go through line so quickly. I've had guys work for me and go through 2-3 heads a day. I can make that last all week then some.
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I used a trimmer many years ago that my uncle had rigged up with some kind of chainsaw chain. It had 2-8" long chains coming off a flat metal disk. It would cut through anything I put it against. It worked great for cutting long areas of ditch bank untill one of the links broke off and busted my leg through jeans. That head came off and back to regular string for me.

 

Poor idea. Product liability. Don't do or try something foolish that everyone will have to pay for in the form of increased cost of product.
easy-lift guy

 

Yeah just buy some extra spools, way I do it is rotate through them and when they're all out I string up the whole bunch.

 

There is some heavy grade plastic as sold by many vendors. Oregon calls theirs Flexiblade. I have not used it. For heavy brush I use a blade (it may be called a brush knife - the one that looks like a mower blade).

http://www.oregonchain.com/pro/products/oep/TrimmerLine_Flexiblade.htm

http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/blades.html

 

I cant remember the name ,but there use to be a string out that had a titanum core. I never used it but a buddy had it .He said it lasted forever but hurt pretty bad if it broke off and hit u. I think the line was gray or silver . But like said before I dont spool mine but once a week i dont see how ppl go thru so much string

 

what was the thing that came out about 15 years ago, looks like 5 links from a chainsaw chain on each side? My poor McCulloch would just look at me and cry.

 

Sounds like you're going after this years Darwin award to me. Let us know (if you're able too) how it all works out.

 

We all have ideas. I had one once dealing with utilizing "cool laser" technology and putting up barriers around flower beds and trees. Turn it on, zip zop. 3" grass in less that 30 seconds.

THEN... smarts kicked in. The what ifs are a HUGE part of any design. What if a kid walks into the area while it's operating, etc.

I'm not going to say it was a dumb/stupid idea. But no, I don't think this is a good idea... AT ALL.

 

Also something to think about is move up to .095 line.

 

Reminded me of my neighbor who borrowed my pressure washer. Was using it wearing flip flops and decided to spray some dirt off his foot. Nearly severed his toe, and many stitches and pain later still regrets the act.

 

Reminded me of my neighbor who borrowed my pressure washer. Was using it wearing flip flops and decided to spray some dirt off his foot. Nearly severed his toe, and many stitches and pain later still regrets the act.

Did he try to sue you because it was "your" pressure washer? LOL

 

If you do not fabricate a cage around it, you will hurt something or someone really bad. And if you build a cage around it, you can't use it to trim so I would really dig into the negative scenarios a little more before going to the patent office with this one.

I know all about people calling you stupid with new ideas. Believe me I have heard them all!!!

 

I would just use a heavy line. .130 line lasts a pretty long time when using it to edge or trim around rocks. It also works good for taking down heavy weeds. Just dont get it close to a plant or small bush cause it will chew right through it.

I keep two trimmers on my trailer. One shindy 242 with .105 line and a echo 280T with .130 line. I use the echo for heavy trimming/ edging and I use the shindy for general trimming.

 

There was a "As Seen On TV" head out some years ago with metal chains for string. It was called the weed wizard i think. It was the hottest thing on the market, till a chain came loose and hit a girl from Alabama in the head and killed her. Ive come to the conclusion that any trimmer head with metal chains or line is bad.........Now as far as line goes i use .95 and .105 and i use to do good with the standard Stihl heads BUT, I recenty purchased a Pivotrim head by Oregon. This thing is amazing and it really works. I ran my Stihl FS-90 at full throttle against the blacktop, chain link fence and a tree. NOT one peice of the line broke. I highly reccomend a Pivotrim, best thing ive ever bought for my weedeaters.

 

You realize this thread is 11 years old eh?

 

going to try copper wire i have lying about... Will deploy shin guards if required... dobyou think the neighbours would think cricket pads were over the top ?? 🤔