Instrument of Satan - repair advice

[Looking_for_911]

Hey guys,

I need some help with repairing an Instrument of Satan... aka, a gas operated grass trimmer commonly called a Weed Eater!

I'd rather be shot than use a "weedeater."

I've been shot. With a Govenment Model .45. So I know of which I speak!

Anyway,

The girlfriend bought a new Homelite, one of the curved shaft, lightweight versions. We've used it maybe four or five times. It's worked great so far, ran like a champ, started good.

Except this time.

Last week when in an energetic mood I got out the Instrument of Satan to do some trimming. I primed the carb as I should and gave the rope a pull. It hit on the first pull but died. I then backed off the choke and gave her another pull. It hit and ran but I killed it with backing off the choke too soon. It'll run, so that's not the issue.

Here's the problem....

My mistake was pulling the rope again before letting it rewind all the way, so now I have a rope fully extended that won't rewind.

How does one rewind the rope on an Instrument of Satan?

I appreciate the input but would appreciate more someone coming to the house - and taking care of the grass for me!

[targa911S]

I thought this was going to be a guitar thread.

[stomachmonkey]

Sometimes repeated working of the rope will get ti to retract fully.

If not it's take the thing apart but watch out for springs under tension and "other" stuff that will fly out of the thing.

One of the issues with the tension springs is if they unwind they can be a mother f'r to retention properly.

[Tim Walsh]

looks like this? http://www.homelite.com/catalog/trimmers/UT21506
BTDT and it's a PITA. I have to disasemble it, to reset the starter. Mine has done it a few times now and needs a new part(#5 in the parts diagram).DO NOT remove #7 which contains the spring under tension.

http://hcpi.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by targa911S

I thought this was going to be a guitar thread.

I was thinking bagpipes & accordians....my private hell

[red-beard]

Springs under tension...I still have marks on a finger from the recoil spring from my Colt Defender.

And then there is the scar from the hood springs on my 914. Got me right in the middle finger knuckle.

[trekkor]

They have replacement cutter heads that use thick nylon 'whips' instead of the string now.



KT

[madmmac]

Lot's of times if you just tap with a hammer a bunch of times where the center of the cord should be winding up it will sloooowly unbind itself and reel itself in.

Good luck.

[GH85Carrera]

Throw that piece of junk in thash. Go to the professional style straight shaft trimmer. They cost more but make the job a TON easier.

[red-beard]

I need to buy a new one. My "old" one, the fuel line inside the tank cracked and broke.

[NICKG]

i have a honda 4 cycle trimmer...cost alot, but definetly worth it. if you don't get one of the hondas, get a redmax or a shindaiawa

[red-beard]

Mine was a Honda

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Mine was a Honda

the parts are REAL cheap...
plano power equipment sells all the parts online ...there are diagrams and all online

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Throw that piece of junk in thash. Go to the professional style straight shaft trimmer. They cost more but make the job a TON easier.

Believe me, I was not consulted before she made this purchase!
The best trimmer I've ever used is my dad's John Deere.. big honkin' straight shaft that'd sling a baseball two hundred yards and still knock an ol' lady's teeth out!

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by madmmac

Lot's of times if you just tap with a hammer a bunch of times where the center of the cord should be winding up it will sloooowly unbind itself and reel itself in.

Good luck.

Oh, how I'd Love to "tap" this SOB with a hammer!!!

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

I was thinking bagpipes & accordians....my private hell

I love bagpipes! And I know a Ukrainian accordian player that'd make anyone's "hit it" list. Can't post a pic. She's "happily" married.

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Sometimes repeated working of the rope will get ti to retract fully.

If not it's take the thing apart but watch out for springs under tension and "other" stuff that will fly out of the thing.

One of the issues with the tension springs is if they unwind they can be a mother f'r to retention properly.

I suspect that included in the "other stuff" are mad rattlesnakes and live hand grenades minus pins!!!

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Throw that piece of junk in thash. Go to the professional style straight shaft trimmer. They cost more but make the job a TON easier.

I went with a lawn service this year - NOW that's a ton easier for me! And now, my lawn isn't the worst one on the block!

-Z-man.

[fingpilot]

And I figured this was a thread about Lucas electrics.......

[cgarr]

Just put a 24" blade on your 22" mower.

No trimmer needed!