How to restring your M18 Milwaukee string trimmer. I show you the easy way and the fix it way. You really need to know both. You can get this trimmer here: amzn.to/3XzzjDI Batteries: amzn.to/3kksXd3 Line: amzn.to/3GLjhPY
The line isn't snapping because it's too tight with the "easy way", it's snapping because it's too loose. When it's loose on the reel and catches something when trimming the line gets jerked till it runs out of slack, causing it to snap. By winding it tightly by hand in the traditional method you demonstrated here, you're removing the majority of the slack, which will eliminate that and it will wear evenly. The same thing can be accomplished by the "easy way" by holding tension on the line as you're winding it into the head.
I literally just did this five minutes ago and then watched your video after. Your comments are 1000% on point. I threw the thing across the garage initially. Then regained my composure and looked up their official demo to replace the string. If you try to restring and line that head up on your own you’re going to snag the thing into pieces out of frustration. You need to completely remove it from the spool and run it through the align points and turn the head to shorten the line. This is the most ridiculous setup for something so simple I’ve ever seen.
I should note I had plenty of line left but it got shorter in circumference so I wanted to add more length to the line like it was out of the box. Any manual adjustments basically cause the whole spool to become unraveled. Whoever designed this in the effort to be unique needs a new assignment.
Honestly the factory way never gave me a problem. But i do keep a little tension on the line with my foot while winding it on. Very good video, alot of detail. Nice work.
Thanks. Glad it's doing well for you. As I use it, the "quick" way is getting a little better but it's still the most problematic head I have. I will try that the next time I load it.
Thank you, thank you! I was so frustrated with this as the "easy way" was not working after trying 4 times, had the same issue. The 2nd way can be tricky but with a bit of patience it actually worked.
I tried my way and failed multiple times , why I have to learn from appropriate video for the Troubleshooting . Thanks 🙏 I appreciate , and will try your way .
Can't thank you enough for showing your alternate way of spool the string. It worked great! This was the first time in 3 years that the string worked the way it should.
Best weed eater I’ve owned. I can’t complain about cable snapping off, or not spooling off as of yet. (Some of my old brand weed eaters were brutal) my model is the QUIKLOK power head attachment, but I believe the designs are almost exact. My complaint is that I haven’t been able to respool the reel already as I bought the forever refill spool of .095” X 750’ at this rate I’ll be dead before I use it all up. Oh I did read somewhere that you need to keep your string in a bag where you can add a couple spoonfuls of water so it won’t dry out. This makes a lot of sense because my old trimmers string after sitting in my garage over a year depleted so fast, that felt like it was soaked in solvents and turned to dust.
Yeah, it's a nice trimmer if the head would spool the easy way. The trimmer itself is nice and strong. I agree with the water tip too. I would put mine in a bucket of water and that really helps make it last.
Another issue with the bump stop is it refusing to bump and refusing to turn manually when loading string the quick way, i.e. method 1 here. This is due to mud/grass becoming lodged within the bump stop mechanism. Simply undoing the 2 torx type screws as seen in the centre of the bump stop at 6:25 (by thumb) allows quick disassembly of the mechanism and cleaning out of the compacted debris within/underneath - subsequent smooth bump stop operating returns once reassembled.
Keeping it clean is very important on this head. I agree with that. And thanks for the info on that. I still am not a fan of this one, but I have not replaced the head yet.
Thank you for this video! Fortunately I watched it BEFORE I purchased this trimmer. Now I would like to know which (brand of) trimmer you would get IF you didn't purchase this one? I'm no pro, so the easier the better. Thanks, again!
Glad it was helpful! I like the Makita, but I would personally get the Ridgid one as it's also great and it's got a lifetime service agreement. This one is the one I use the most: mavely.app.link/e/GdCql2ERpMb If you need a blower too, this is a great package deal: mavely.app.link/e/wqSlWtHRpMb
I don’t have time to check all the comments but i had the same problem with feeding the string thru the two silver holes so i removed the black cap, put the string in one hole then through the much smaller internal hole and then out the other silver hole. Held the string with a little tension to put the pieces back together, wound it by rotating the cap as instructed, and it’s good to go. Oh, i also cleaned out all the pieces of grass that had gotten into the inside of the cap because it seemed they were impeding movement a bit.
Thank you! I’m going to try the second way as I’m about to throw this trimmer away! It constantly gets stuck! I didn’t realize you could purchase a new head. Do you have a recommendation for that?
I have not tried to replace it yet. When I need to use this trimmer I just open it up and do it the manual way. That seems to work well for mine. That said, I think it can be replaced but I have not looked up a replacement.
Oh man, I can't believe you were able to manually feed it in and then snap the head down without issues. I tried doing that a dozen times yesterday and the line would spin out and get jammed underneath every time. This thing is awful.
Amazing how much Milwaukee cleans the internet of any bad Milwaukee news. Like the Shockwave bit kits that are so tight that you have to use pliers to get any out.
I have 4 heads and they all tangle up inside. Have to restring them all the time. Two of them came with the two trimmers and Milwaukee gave me the other two. All four were tangled up right out of the box. Any suggestions. Can't get anywhere with Milwaukee anymore. It sucks.
Sadly, I have to agree on this bump head. When I use it I always use the 2nd method now because the "easy" way ends up being the hard way. I am pretty sure I am going to just replace the bump head altogether on this one.
@@SeidelRanch I have talked to and emailed Milwaukee about this, got two of the heads free from them. Both were tangled up right out of the package. They don't seem to care about it. I guess it's time to move on to someone else.
Did you ever figure out something that works better? I am plagued with failure to feed and it loves to have one or both sides disappear into the head 😡
The line should only come out when you bump it pretty hard on the ground. If the line feeds on it's own without bumping it, then there is an issue with the head.
The trimmer stopped working or the bump head? If the bump head is not releasing line, take it apart and do it the 2nd way I show. If yours is hard to spin it could be wrapping the line way to tight.
Yes they do and then they are super hard to get out. I have to use needle nose pliers to get them pulled out. The head on this trimmer is going to get replaced with something else soon.
This is usually one of two issues (or it can be both I guess). Either the string is old and getting brittle, which makes it break off very easy, or the string is wound the wrong direction which makes it come out too far and get cut off by the trimmer's cut off blade. Check to see if it's any of those. If the line seems brittle, it can help by soaking it in a 5 gallon bucket of water when in storage.
The head really sucks ( yes I know how to properly string it ) Way to many problems Got a generic off the shelf head @HD made to work with all the brands, and it works great
The heads suck. I have four and I can't use them for more than 2 minutes then they are all tangled up. I have done it both ways. I have contacted Milwaukee and they sent me a new head. It was tangled up right out of the package. Sent them pictures and they sent me another head. That one lasted two minutes and it was all tangled up. Sent them pictures and called them. They sent me a whole new trimmer with a head. It lasted two minutes and all tangled up. Called and they want me to send it to a service shop. Closest one is an hour away. They suck.
How to restring your M18 Milwaukee string trimmer. I show you the easy way and the fix it way. You really need to know both.
You can get this trimmer here: amzn.to/3XzzjDI Batteries: amzn.to/3kksXd3 Line: amzn.to/3GLjhPY
Yeah! I have to remove the bump head just to rewind the string to a proper size, it doesn't auto feed out like milwaukee claims it!
Thank you sir for your helpful video without playing your favorite tune and without your lovely dog or cat walking around you.
Haha. Glad it was helpful!
The line isn't snapping because it's too tight with the "easy way", it's snapping because it's too loose. When it's loose on the reel and catches something when trimming the line gets jerked till it runs out of slack, causing it to snap. By winding it tightly by hand in the traditional method you demonstrated here, you're removing the majority of the slack, which will eliminate that and it will wear evenly. The same thing can be accomplished by the "easy way" by holding tension on the line as you're winding it into the head.
I literally just did this five minutes ago and then watched your video after. Your comments are 1000% on point. I threw the thing across the garage initially. Then regained my composure and looked up their official demo to replace the string. If you try to restring and line that head up on your own you’re going to snag the thing into pieces out of frustration. You need to completely remove it from the spool and run it through the align points and turn the head to shorten the line. This is the most ridiculous setup for something so simple I’ve ever seen.
I should note I had plenty of line left but it got shorter in circumference so I wanted to add more length to the line like it was out of the box. Any manual adjustments basically cause the whole spool to become unraveled. Whoever designed this in the effort to be unique needs a new assignment.
Yeah, agree. This is one of, if not the most frustrating bump head I think i have ever had. I don't use this trimmer much because of that.
Thanks. Very helpful. My string flew out while running. Had no idea how to re-thread the line. Thanks for sharing
Glad it helped!
Honestly the factory way never gave me a problem. But i do keep a little tension on the line with my foot while winding it on. Very good video, alot of detail. Nice work.
Thanks. Glad it's doing well for you. As I use it, the "quick" way is getting a little better but it's still the most problematic head I have. I will try that the next time I load it.
Thanks this was definitely a big help!!😂Now I can edge my yard again🎉😅
I’m glad you found this helpful.
Thank you, thank you! I was so frustrated with this as the "easy way" was not working after trying 4 times, had the same issue.
The 2nd way can be tricky but with a bit of patience it actually worked.
Glad it worked for you. Sometimes you just have to pull it apart.
I tried my way and failed multiple times , why I have to learn from appropriate video for the Troubleshooting . Thanks 🙏 I appreciate , and will try your way .
Glad it helped
Can't thank you enough for showing your alternate way of spool the string. It worked great! This was the first time in 3 years that the string worked the way it should.
Glad it helped! I have to do the 2nd way all the time with this bump head. The 1st way just gets wound too tight and hangs up.
Hello from the UK. Same problem for me which I've solved by using your off the machine manual wind method, deep happiness all round now!
Glad it helped. Sad we have to do it that way but it is what it is. Thanks.
Best weed eater I’ve owned. I can’t complain about cable snapping off, or not spooling off as of yet. (Some of my old brand weed eaters were brutal) my model is the QUIKLOK power head attachment, but I believe the designs are almost exact. My complaint is that I haven’t been able to respool the reel already as I bought the forever refill spool of .095” X 750’ at this rate I’ll be dead before I use it all up. Oh I did read somewhere that you need to keep your string in a bag where you can add a couple spoonfuls of water so it won’t dry out. This makes a lot of sense because my old trimmers string after sitting in my garage over a year depleted so fast, that felt like it was soaked in solvents and turned to dust.
Yeah, it's a nice trimmer if the head would spool the easy way. The trimmer itself is nice and strong. I agree with the water tip too. I would put mine in a bucket of water and that really helps make it last.
A million thanks for the clear explanation. I'm so glad you figured this out and shared! My trimmer has never worked right but now I get it.
Glad it helped.
I spray some silicone inside the spool and it helps with the string feeding out and not becoming stuck..
That is a good idea. I will try that.
Yes I have come across the same problem. The head rolls the line too tight and I had to open it and cut it with pliers. Thank you for your video!
Glad you liked it. Yeah, it would be awesome if this head was better.
Thank you for this video! Very professionally done and narrated
Glad it was helpful!
The best instructional aide for restringing. Thank you.
Thank you.
Technique 1 is best 2 drove me crazy 🤪 could not accomplish.... thanks
Thank you so much for this video. I show it to my customers when they ask how to put string through.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you brother, you saved me from going insane😂
Haha. Welcome. I know what you mean.
U rock bro! Was just thinking about all ur great videos last nite....
Thank you!
Holy smokes. Successful attempt on the first try. Thanks to you!
Glad I could help!
Excellent advice, this is def the best vid on this I found. TY!
Glad it was helpful!
Another issue with the bump stop is it refusing to bump and refusing to turn manually when loading string the quick way, i.e. method 1 here. This is due to mud/grass becoming lodged within the bump stop mechanism. Simply undoing the 2 torx type screws as seen in the centre of the bump stop at 6:25 (by thumb) allows quick disassembly of the mechanism and cleaning out of the compacted debris within/underneath - subsequent smooth bump stop operating returns once reassembled.
Keeping it clean is very important on this head. I agree with that. And thanks for the info on that. I still am not a fan of this one, but I have not replaced the head yet.
Thank you soo much for this video! Explains a lot. This thing is great but that head is a pain!
Glad it helped. I 100% agree on the head. They could have done so much better.
Thank you for this video! Fortunately I watched it BEFORE I purchased this trimmer. Now I would like to know which (brand of) trimmer you would get IF you didn't purchase this one? I'm no pro, so the easier the better. Thanks, again!
Glad it was helpful! I like the Makita, but I would personally get the Ridgid one as it's also great and it's got a lifetime service agreement. This one is the one I use the most: mavely.app.link/e/GdCql2ERpMb
If you need a blower too, this is a great package deal: mavely.app.link/e/wqSlWtHRpMb
@@SeidelRanch Thank you!
I don’t have time to check all the comments but i had the same problem with feeding the string thru the two silver holes so i removed the black cap, put the string in one hole then through the much smaller internal hole and then out the other silver hole. Held the string with a little tension to put the pieces back together, wound it by rotating the cap as instructed, and it’s good to go. Oh, i also cleaned out all the pieces of grass that had gotten into the inside of the cap because it seemed they were impeding movement a bit.
Sometimes you have to do that just to clean it out and make it work right again.
Thank you! I’m going to try the second way as I’m about to throw this trimmer away! It constantly gets stuck! I didn’t realize you could purchase a new head. Do you have a recommendation for that?
I have not tried to replace it yet. When I need to use this trimmer I just open it up and do it the manual way. That seems to work well for mine. That said, I think it can be replaced but I have not looked up a replacement.
Really good stuff and lots of info. Thanks a bunch
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome , made my installation so much easier. Thank you💥💥😎
Glad it helped
Thank you very much. Great video.
Glad it was helpful.
Yes, I have the string issue a lot !
By the way ...is there another head compatible with the tool....just wonder 🤔
I do think there are aftermarket heads that will work with this, but I have not tried any for it... yet.
Oh man, I can't believe you were able to manually feed it in and then snap the head down without issues. I tried doing that a dozen times yesterday and the line would spin out and get jammed underneath every time. This thing is awful.
Sadly I have to agree. This is one of the more painful bump heads I have used.
Would you know the part # for that spring in the head ?
Mine is not there. ??
Thanks for the video
I don't. This is the stock bump head.
What a GREAT video .... perfect!!
Glad you liked it!
Do you trim with redlines aligned or misalingned.?
Once it's loaded the lines do not matter. They will change as you bump it.
Amazing how much Milwaukee cleans the internet of any bad Milwaukee news. Like the Shockwave bit kits that are so tight that you have to use pliers to get any out.
I just try to share the truth. It's getting slim these days.
thx for sharing this!
Glad it was helpful.
Uffff the same issue i still have to feed more string out of the head...great tool bad head✌️
Totally agree.
What kind of head can you replace it with?
I have not changed it, but there are lots of aftermarket heads you can put on it. I hear this one is great: amzn.to/3WM1AaG
Thank you my friend it did help me gracias 🙏 amigo
Glad it helped
I have 4 heads and they all tangle up inside. Have to restring them all the time. Two of them came with the two trimmers and Milwaukee gave me the other two. All four were tangled up right out of the box. Any suggestions. Can't get anywhere with Milwaukee anymore. It sucks.
Sadly, I have to agree on this bump head. When I use it I always use the 2nd method now because the "easy" way ends up being the hard way. I am pretty sure I am going to just replace the bump head altogether on this one.
@@SeidelRanch I have talked to and emailed Milwaukee about this, got two of the heads free from them. Both were tangled up right out of the package. They don't seem to care about it. I guess it's time to move on to someone else.
Great Video. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Great video thx bro
Glad you enjoyed it
Thx I don’t know have to fix it till I watch ur video thx again 👍
Thank you 🙏🏼
Glad it was helpful.
Thanks so much
You're welcome!
Did you ever figure out something that works better? I am plagued with failure to feed and it loves to have one or both sides disappear into the head 😡
I'm here because of the same issue. Feed the head.. then start trimming.. bump for more string... no feed.
Sadly, it seems like a design flaw in the design. I use the 2nd way most of the time.
Uses line up fast....how can I lock it and add line as needed?????
The line should only come out when you bump it pretty hard on the ground. If the line feeds on it's own without bumping it, then there is an issue with the head.
How to extend the length from 15= to 16+
If you mean the string length, I think that is done by moving the excess trim off blade further back on the safety shield.
Well someone else has the same problem as me. I thought I was doing something wrong, doesnt seem thats the case
Yeah, the clog up is a pain. I found that if I use less line it's less of an issue but still not the greatest design.
Help! I did this but now it's completely stopped working
The trimmer stopped working or the bump head? If the bump head is not releasing line, take it apart and do it the 2nd way I show. If yours is hard to spin it could be wrapping the line way to tight.
I’ve had mine one month, and the one sided string Scenario has got to go! The cords weld themself to each other
Yes they do and then they are super hard to get out. I have to use needle nose pliers to get them pulled out. The head on this trimmer is going to get replaced with something else soon.
I just watched the video so I will try it again
Hope it helped.
Align N' Wind™😁
Yeah, if you have a small to medium city yard, this one is awesome: ruclips.net/video/JUl1kR8pZ5M/видео.html
I blow through string like crazy!!! I can’t use 20’ of line more than 2 min with out it running out. Does anyone else have this issue?
This is usually one of two issues (or it can be both I guess). Either the string is old and getting brittle, which makes it break off very easy, or the string is wound the wrong direction which makes it come out too far and get cut off by the trimmer's cut off blade.
Check to see if it's any of those. If the line seems brittle, it can help by soaking it in a 5 gallon bucket of water when in storage.
Why is mine so hard to spin
It might be clogged up. Check to make sure there is no old line or grass around the shaft or bearings.
Reasonably priced
Glad it was helpful! Thanks.
The head really sucks ( yes I know how to properly string it )
Way to many problems
Got a generic off the shelf head @HD made to work with all the brands, and it works great
Yeah, this is one of the worst bump heads I have used. Glad you found a good replacement.
The heads suck. I have four and I can't use them for more than 2 minutes then they are all tangled up. I have done it both ways. I have contacted Milwaukee and they sent me a new head. It was tangled up right out of the package. Sent them pictures and they sent me another head. That one lasted two minutes and it was all tangled up. Sent them pictures and called them. They sent me a whole new trimmer with a head. It lasted two minutes and all tangled up. Called and they want me to send it to a service shop. Closest one is an hour away. They suck.
Very helpful, Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!