Have you’ve seen the post going around facebook that shows a homesteader using zipties on a weed-whacker instead of the spool of weed-eater line?
This post came across my facebook feed last week and seemed like an ingenious idea, so this weekend as I worked in the garden I gave it a try to see if it really works.
I removed the spool from my Ryobi weed-whacker, put on a couple of zipties and trimmed them to length. Then I set to work in the garden to knock down some grasses and pig-weed that had gotten away from me.
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The zip-ties cut the grass, but it wasn’t as clean a cut as I get with the weed-eater line, and my trusty weed-whacker made a lot more noise then she usually does─if you can possibly imagine a weed-whacker being any louder. Then, as I went to tackle the pig-weed, I brushed the weed-whacker up against a post in the garden and one of the zipties snapped right off!
After my failed experiment I reviewed the comments under the facebook post and found a few folks who also had tried the zipties-on-a-weed-whacker experiment. They report similar findings─that the zipties broke easily. One person suggested using industrial grade zipties, to which a woman in Arizona reported that the industrial zipties are all they use because in their heat and sun lesser plastics degrade too quickly, and she still had this method fail for her.
I wouldn’t say this experiment was a total fail, it did work and in a pinch you could certainly use the zipties. Probably if you have just a lawn to maintain and were only using your weed-whacker to trim things up after you’ve mowed this would work just fine. However, if─like me─you have a large area to manage, a large garden and more, and you have weeds that sometimes get unruly, I feel like the weed-eater line is still the better option.
Have you tried the zipties-on-a-weed-whacker experiment? If you have any thoughts or suggestions feel free to leave a comment below! Be sure to subscribe to the Runamuk blog by email to receive updates directly to your inbox; OR follow us on Instagram for sneak-peeks into the day-to-day happenings at Runamuk Acres!
I tried zip ties but they did not last after a few tries i used one length of line with a cross loop around the spindle extending out through the original holes. Now i carry a few precut lengths with me. Half the time the bump feature did not work and it is just as fast to remove the knob and replace the line manually
one problem you do have is you’re installing them the wrong way. For anyone who is constantly breaking them at the base, try configuring them so they sit sideways so they can easily flex back and forth. It puts them under less stress and they last much longer.
Depending on which head you have you may need to drill a hole or 2.
Here’s an idea….just use buy the trimmer line. Buy a larger spool abd keep it on-hand. Much cheaper than trying these silly substitutes.
I use electric powered weed walkers and all of the lines are toyetic at best ! My solution was very simple . I purchased heavy line and I simply wrap a 12” or so line ( i cut them ) and then I simply tie them onto the wheel with a double knot . Again a simple double knot and you cut to length . This takes any weekwacker to a super tool , I usually get thru all my yard work with one simple tie , sometimes two.
I am abusive with these small epowered units and the heavy line makes them more practical then the heavy gas units
I have tried zipties and I even tried cutting a metal wire hanger to length, and both snapped off within a few seconds.
need to use Nylon Zip Ties, they are much stronger than cheapo ones
It work for me and great idea. Rather than keep dealing with spool. Much easier and get yard work done. Thank you
another idea is to use 20# fishing line.haven’t tried it myself as were in afoot of snow already.just another idea.
Thanks Gary! Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime and make a new post lol.
Not working for me. The zipties was so brittle, it broke just one second of spinning.
The idea is still good though. Next time I will try again with a guitar string or other materials.
I came across your post on pinterest…I too tried this method and it completely failed on me. It kept breaking. My lawn is the size of a postage stamp, yet it still wasn’t even worth it!
Thanks for weighing in Caroline! It’s good to know I’m not the only one who had no luck with this approach lol.