The Workbench Life: Baby Blogs
By Perry Miller for The Workbench Life
Choosing a weed whacker (also called “string trimmers” or “line trimmers”) is pretty simple. Here are some features you want to consider before you buy.
The most important one is gas versus electric weed whackers. If you ask me, there are pros and cons to both. Electric string trimmers are lighter, but you have to use an extension cord and it needs to reach all parts of your lawn. That’s not much of an issue with a small lawn, but it can be a pain to drag that cord everywhere. A gas weed whacker doesn’t need a cord, so it’s easier to maneuver—especially with a large lawn. But it can be harder to start, and you need to have a sufficient supply of gas and oil mixture on hand.
Some string trimmers have the “bump feed” option, which means you lightly bump the trimmer head on the ground to advance the line. Keep in mind, the bump feed can also lead to problems, because you’re repeatedly hitting your weed whacker on the ground. There is also a feature called “tool-less line,” which means you don’t need any tools to add more string to the trimmer. Both of these features save time.
When you look at a weed whacker in a store, the most obvious difference at first glance is the straight pole versus the curved one. Deciding between the two is mostly a personal preference. The straight pole can give you more length and allow you to reach underneath bushes and fences better. There are no significant advantages to a curved weed whacker, except that some people find them more comfortable to use.
There are other features that can make string trimmers easier to use, such as “Easy Start” and “Anti-Vibration” —both of which are self explanatory. You might also want to consider the cutting length, how heavy it is to carry around, and whether the length of the pole is comfortable for you. Some string trimmers come with adjustable poles or handles, which can be useful at times. And don’t forget to consider the warranty, in case you run into any problems.
Perry Miller has been a successful freelance writer since graduating from Missouri
State University with a degree in journalism, has worked on dozens of home
renovation projects and is frequent contributor to The Workbench Life.
