Strimmers: self feeding reels ?

There is a similar Stihl blade - but the Stihl blade is longer and significantly heavier:

That really needs one of the very large power heads to spin up (>50% more rotation energy for a given rotational speed - also more strain on the clutch)

The 3mm oregon blade will probably work ok on most machines (ISTR mine is only about 1kW of output:

I was thinking of this one, which I have:

Yes I use the one John linked to and it is only for 50cc and up brush cutters. It is more for small woody growth like brambles and clematis.

I always use it with the shredder guard and cup beneath the blade.

I use it with a 36V Makita DUR368, you can tell it wouldn't like a blade any heavier.

Na, that is a completely different type of thing - they are very feeble in comparison.

Shorter, and far less weight so they can't hit as hard. The main difference is they don't have the turned down tips - it is that that makes a cutting blade into a mulching blade.

If you have a mess of tangled bramble for example, a straight blade only cuts on one axis - leaving much of the tangle in place. The mulching blades cut horizontally and vertically, and smashes whatever you cut into small lumps.

(you use the mulching blades differently as well - rather than sweeping side to side to cut down stuff, they work better if you just sweep them down in a patting motion on what you want to cut - they then just "erase" whatever is in the arc of the blade turning it into chips)

I expect the 3mm Oregon one will work ok on most machines, and will tackle dense brambles and small saplings ok.

I expect the bigger Stihl would will make faster work of it and handle thicker branches etc, if you have a big enough machine to drive it.

I have a Makita DUR365 (same voltage). The range of accessories they wish to sell you does not include any blades. I take that to mean they don't endorse their use on this tool.

Did yours come with the dished metal washer, L/H nut and big nylon ring, like this?

It says it fits DUR365 and DUR368, makita sell flat 3-point and 4-point blades

fair enough they don't sell 3D mulching blades.

Interesting. Do you use the Oregon blade on the Stihl Kombi strimmer?

I've never found auto-feed to work for very long.

On the subject, is it ever helpful to use thicker line than specified on a small strimmer, if it is wearing out too fast, usually by trimming adjacent to hard surfaces.

Chris

Yup - I think it is a KM 94 RC-E

(about 24cc engine with just under 1kW of output)

Yes, same as mine. It's a very sensible idea to have one engine for a number of different attachments.

A tip I found on youtube, and it seems to be supported by some manufaturers sites: Soak the line in water for 24-48 hours before using it. This makes it more flexible...

Thomas Prufer

Thanks everyone for your comments.

On inspecting what I had - plenty of strimmer cord and several spools - i carefully rewound a spool. Very careful about directions. Cleaned and lubed ratchet mechanism. Ventured out, and within 3 metres, line had disintegrated. Stopping strimmer and restarting ... nada. And (you guessed it) ended up having to manually extrude the line. With the all to familiar need to remove the spool as one line had gone back inside.

Combined with the audacious theft of my lawnmower (see todays thread :( ) This has set me looking for a new grass cutting solution. Is there a combined mower/strimmer ?

There are wheeled strimmers; unlikely to have a collection box.

dunk it in water for 24h before using it?

Sheep?

To be fair, losing one line on a dual line head can happen with any trimmer - since it is easy to carry on cutting with one line and not notice - happened on mine last week...

It sounds like the line itself is either poor quality or has aged and gone brittle. (probably in an effort to make it biodegradable). A bulk pack is pretty cheap.

Yup many: