Craftsman 358799200 electric line trimmer Parts

For the Craftsman 358799200 electric line trimmer, neither .080 nor .095 is better because this model is designed to use .065-inch line; using thicker line can overload the motor and damage the trimmer. For best cutting and longest tool life, stick with the line size listed in the owner's manual.

What to use on model 358799200

The manual specifies .065 in (1.6 to 1.65 mm) diameter trimmer line for this trimmer.

• Use .065-inch line for normal trimming, edging, and light mowing
• Avoid .080-inch line; it is heavier than specified and can reduce performance
• Avoid .095-inch line; it is much heavier and is more likely to overload the unit
• Never use wire, rope, or string; these can break off and become hazardous
• If the line keeps breaking or feeding poorly, check routing and winding before changing sizes

Quick comparison

Line diameter	Typical use case	Fit for Craftsman 358799200 electric trimmer
.065 in	Light-duty electric trimmers	Correct (recommended)
.080 in	Many cordless and some gas trimmers	Not recommended
.095 in	Heavy-duty gas trimmers, thick weeds	Not recommended

Why line size matters (performance and safety)

Line diameter affects load on the motor and how the cutting head feeds line. On an electric trimmer like the 358799200, thicker line increases drag, which can cause poor cutting, overheating, and premature wear.

If you are having line-feed problems

Use these checks first (they solve most “line won’t advance” complaints):

• Tap the cutting head lightly on the ground at full speed to advance line
• Rewind the line tightly and evenly in the direction shown on the spool
• Pull about 4 in. (10 cm) of line out if too little line is outside the head
• Clean dirt and debris from the hub and spool area
• Replace worn or damaged spool components; the line trimmer spool retainer clip 530401957 can be a common wear item in the spool assembly

Last updated: February 2026

For the Craftsman 358799200 electric line trimmer, .095-inch line is not the best choice because it is too thick for this model. We recommend using .065-inch (1.65 mm) trimmer line as specified in the owner's manual; heavier line can overload the motor and damage the trimmer.

What line size to use on model 358799200

Using the correct diameter helps the cutting head feed properly and prevents overheating.

• Use .065 in. (1.65 mm) diameter trimmer line
• Avoid thicker line such as .080 or .095
• Never use wire, rope, or string
• If you want the easiest reload, use a pre-wound spool (the manual references #71-85837)

If you already bought .095 line

Do not install it on this trimmer. Instead, switch to the correct diameter and reload the spool following the owner's manual.

Common symptoms of using line that is too thick

• Line will not advance when tapping the head
• Line welds or fuses on the spool
• Motor bogs down, runs hot, or trips protection
• Excessive vibration or poor cutting

Quick fit check (what “best” means for this trimmer)

For this model, “best” means the line that matches the design of the spool and feed system.

Line diameter	Fit for Craftsman 358799200	What to expect
.065 in.	Recommended	Smooth feed, normal load
.080 in.	Not recommended	Feed issues, higher load
.095 in.	Not compatible	Overload risk, poor performance

Why it matters

The 358799200 cutting head and motor are designed around .065-inch line. Staying with the specified size reduces line-feed problems, prevents spool damage, and protects the motor.

Last updated: February 2026

No. For the Craftsman 358799200 electric line trimmer, we recommend using only .065 inch (1.65 mm) trimmer line; using thicker line such as .080 or .095 increases load on the motor and can overload and damage the unit. For the exact line and spool guidance, follow the owner's manual.

What line size to use (and why)

Using the correct diameter helps the bump-feed system advance line smoothly and keeps the motor from overheating.

• Use .065 in (1.65 mm) line for normal trimming, scalping, and mowing
• Avoid .080 and .095 line; thicker line creates more drag
• Never use wire, rope, or string; it can break off and become hazardous
• Keep the air vents clean to prevent overheating after heavy trimming

What can happen if you install thicker line

Heavier line can cause feed problems and premature wear in the cutting head.

Line diameter	What you can expect on model 358799200	Risk level
.065 in (recommended)	Proper feed and normal motor load	Low
.080 in	Slower cutting head speed, poor line advance	High
.095 in	Frequent jams, overheating, possible motor damage	Very high

If your line is not feeding correctly

These checks match the most common causes of feed issues on this trimmer style.

• Tap the bump button lightly on the ground while running at full speed
• Rewind the line tightly and evenly in the direction shown on the spool
• Make sure the line is routed through the exit hole correctly
• Pull out about 4 inches (10 cm) of line if too little is outside the head
• Clean dirt and debris from the hub, spool, and vents

Why it matters

This is a corded electric trimmer; the motor is designed around a specific cutting load. Staying with the specified .065 line protects the motor, improves cut quality, and reduces line welding and jamming.

Last updated: February 2026

To replace trimmer line on your Craftsman 358799200 electric line trimmer, pull the spool out by firmly pulling the tap button, wind new .065 in (1.65 mm) line onto the spool in the arrow direction, then reinstall the spool and route the line through the hub exit hole. Follow the diagrams in the owner's manual.

What to use

• .065 in (1.65 mm) diameter trimmer line (recommended)
• 30 ft of line if you are winding your own spool
• Safety glasses and gloves
• Rag to clean the hub and spool

Line size and length (quick reference)

Item	Spec for 358799200	Why it matters
Line diameter	.065 in (1.65 mm)	Prevents overload and feed problems
Line length (rewind)	30 ft	Fills the spool correctly
Line type	Trimmer line only	Avoids breakage and unsafe debris

Step-by-step: replace the line

1. Unplug the trimmer.
2. Remove the spool by firmly pulling on the tap button.
3. Clean the hub and spool.
4. Insert one end of line about 1/2 inch (1 cm) into the small hole inside the spool.
5. Wind evenly and tightly in the direction of the arrow on the spool.
6. Push the line into the notch, leaving 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12 cm) unwound.
7. Feed the line through the hub exit hole; align the notch with the exit hole.
8. Push the spool back in until it seats.

If the line will not feed

• Use only .065 in line
• Pull about 4 inches (10 cm) of line outside the head
• Cut with the tip of the line fully extended
• Replace worn retaining hardware such as the line trimmer spool retainer clip 530401957

Why it matters

Correct line size and proper winding keep the head feeding smoothly and prevent excessive line wear and motor strain.

Last updated: February 2026

The most reliable string trimmer is the one that matches your workload and is used the way it was designed. For your Craftsman 358799200 electric line trimmer, reliability comes from using .065 in (1.65 mm) line, keeping the head hardware secure, and cleaning the air vents after each use (see the owner's manual).

What “reliable” means in real use

A reliable trimmer:

• Starts and runs consistently
• Feeds line without constant jams
• Does not overheat during normal trimming
• Keeps guards and fasteners secure

Most reliable type for your yard

Yard/workload	Most reliable style	Why
Small yard, light trimming	Corded electric	Steady power, low maintenance
Medium yard, weekly trimming	Battery	Good mobility, simple upkeep
Large yard, heavy weeds	Gas	Strong sustained cutting power

How we keep the Craftsman 358799200 running reliably

These practices align with how this model operates:

• Use only .065 in (1.65 mm) trimmer line; never use wire, rope, or string
• Advance line by tapping the head lightly on the ground while running at full speed
• Let the tip of the line do the cutting; avoid crowding the line into thick material
• Keep the cutting head below waist level; cut right to left to throw debris away from you
• Clean air vents after each use to prevent motor overheating

Parts that help prevent feed and head problems

If the spool hardware is loose or not holding correctly, these parts often restore consistent operation:

• Line trimmer spool retainer clip 530401957
• Wing nut 530091373

Why it matters

Most “unreliable” trimmer complaints come from incorrect line size, forcing the head into heavy growth, or restricted airflow. Correct setup and routine cleaning keep an electric trimmer dependable.

Last updated: February 2026