10 Things You’ll Only Do Once With a Weed Eater

The weed eater seems easy until it’s in your hands and wrecking your shins. If you’ve used one more than a few times, you’ve probably learned some of these lessons the hard way. Some mistakes you only make once.

Wearing Shorts and Regretting It Fast

The second you hit a rock or a piece of bark with a weed eater, you’ll feel it. And if you’re wearing shorts, you’ll definitely feel it. String trimmers don’t play nice with bare legs.

Even if it’s hot, throw on jeans or thick work pants. You’ll finish the job with fewer bruises, scrapes, and regrets.

Letting the Line Get Too Short

If the line’s too short, you’re barely trimming anything—and the motor’s working overtime. Most people don’t realize how much power that little spool takes, and when it’s not feeding right, it shows.

Keep an eye on your line length and refill it before it runs all the way out. Nothing’s worse than stopping mid-job because you forgot to check.

Starting Near Windows or Cars

One flick of a rock is all it takes to chip a windshield or scratch up your siding. Weed eaters don’t discriminate—they’ll throw whatever they hit. If you’re trimming too close to anything breakable, you’re gambling.

Back off the house, vehicles, and glass. Use hand tools for those tight spots or trim them by hand. You’ll save yourself a lot of money and frustration.

Using the Wrong Angle

Too steep, and you scalp the lawn. Too flat, and you leave a mess. Finding the right angle with a weed eater takes practice, but once you figure it out, everything looks cleaner and more even.

Start with a slight tilt and keep the string level with the ground. Don’t rush it—you’ll get better lines and less damage to your yard.

Not Checking for Debris First

One hidden toy, stick, or chunk of metal, and your weed eater turns into a hazard. You’ll break the line, jam the head, or send something flying. Skipping a quick scan can cost you.

Walk the area before you start. It takes a minute and saves you from busted equipment or busted shins.

Using It on Everything

Weed eaters are great—but they’re not the tool for every job. Trying to edge sidewalks, clear big brush, or mow the whole lawn with one is a rookie move. You’ll waste time, tear up gear, and end up frustrated.

Know what it’s good for—tight spaces, fence lines, around trees—and use it that way. It’ll last longer, and your yard will look better too.

Skipping Eye Protection

It might feel unnecessary until that first bit of mulch or dirt flies straight into your eye. Weed eaters send stuff everywhere, and it doesn’t take much to cause real damage.

Wear glasses or a face shield. Even sunglasses are better than nothing. You’ll be glad you did when the rocks start flying.

Holding It Too Close

If you’ve ever come inside covered in green goo, this one’s for you. Holding the trimmer too close to your body means you’re going to wear whatever it hits—grass, mud, and worse.

Hold it out and away from your body at a consistent angle. It’ll do the job better, and you won’t look like you lost a fight with the yard.

Forgetting to Check the Fuel

There’s nothing worse than starting strong and sputtering out halfway through because you forgot to check the tank. Weed eaters run out faster than you’d think, especially when you’re trimming thick areas.

Top off before you start, and if it’s 2-stroke, make sure your fuel mix is right. Bad gas or no gas makes for a short workday.

Letting It Bounce Off Hard Surfaces

If you bang your weed eater head into rocks, sidewalks, or trees, you’re going to wear it down fast. The line breaks easier, the head gets chewed up, and eventually, you’re replacing parts that didn’t need to be worn out.

Be careful near edges and obstacles. Trim up close, not against. Your trimmer—and your yard—will last a lot longer.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.