Whatever happened to the great corded-electric string trimmers of the past?  I had two models---a Craftsman and a Ryobi---that were rugged, dependable and quite powerful---they lasted for years.  Now they just put these toys and rechargeable ones on the market.  Battery power is okay for small jobs, but would you ever get aboard a battery-powered airplane?

This is the only corded one I could find...a total piece of junk.

I guess I should have read the reviews carefully---I thought B & D might have fixed the spool issues.
Seems powerful, but the line kept breaking off inside the spool housing.  Once the housing comes off, trimmer line leaps out at you like a spring-loaded snake.  After two tries with the same result...forget it.

I managed to cut a 4 x 9' swath before giving up on this.

Update:  I found a Stihl corded trimmer that is a fabulous corded machine--- the FSE 60.  Look for a Stihl dealer.
Whatever happened to the great corded-electric string trimmers of the past? I had two models---a Craftsman and a Ryobi---that were rugged, dependable and quite powerful---they lasted for years. Now they just put these toys and rechargeable ones on the market. Battery power is okay for small jobs, but would you ever get aboard a battery-powered airplane? This is the only corded one I could find... a total piece of junk. I guess I should have read the reviews carefully---I thought B & D might have fixed the spool issues. Seems powerful, but the line kept breaking off inside the spool housing. Once the housing comes off, trimmer line leaps out at you like a spring-loaded snake. After two tries with the same result... forget it. I managed to cut a 4 x 9' swath before giving up on this. Update:  I found a Stihl corded trimmer that is a fabulous corded machine--- the FSE 60. Look for a Stihl dealer.