Skil 3-Pack 0.06 In. String Trimmer Line

Why I reached for these spools

After a few seasons with Skil’s 12-inch, 20V trimmer, I’ve learned that the easiest way to keep it humming is to avoid wrestling with loose line. That’s what drew me to Skil’s pre-wound 0.06-inch trimmer line spools. They’re sold as a three-pack, each with 16.4 feet of line, and they drop directly into the compatible 12-inch head (I used them with my LT1200B). On paper, they promise convenience and consistency. In practice, they delivered exactly that—with the expected trade-offs of a thin, light-duty line.

What you get in the pack

• Three pre-wound spools
• 0.06-inch (about 1.52 mm) diameter line
• 16.4 feet per spool
• Intended for Skil 20V 12-inch trimmers/edgers

That length per spool isn’t long by contractor standards, but for most small to mid-size residential yards it’s reasonable, especially if you’re primarily cleaning up lawn edges and light weeds.

Installation: truly drop-in

Swapping these in is straightforward. I pop the battery off, press the tabs on the trimmer head, lift the cap, and drop the new spool in, making sure the line feeds cleanly through the eyelet. The spool has a direction indicator, and the trimmer head design makes it hard to get wrong. Once seated, the cap clicks back on without fuss.

The advantage of a pre-wound spool is not just time saved; it’s also about removing variables. Miswinding bulk line—too loose, too tight, or crossing wraps—can cause all sorts of feed and vibration issues. With these, my auto-feed mechanism behaved exactly as intended. I didn’t have any birds’ nests, sudden jams, or mystery short feeds. If you’ve ever had a trimmer suddenly dump half a spool because the wind wasn’t right, you’ll appreciate this.

A quick tip: keep the tag end of the line under control when you seat the spool. It’s easy to let it spring back into the head. If it does, it’s not the end of the world, but it adds another minute to fish it out.

Cutting performance and feel

This is a thin line meant for a light, compact trimmer, so I set expectations accordingly. It excels at:

• Lawn edging along sidewalks and driveways
• Trimming around beds, trees, and posts where finesse matters
• Light weedy growth under fences and along borders

In turf and soft-stem weeds, cut quality is clean and consistent. The lighter gauge line spins quickly, giving a crisp edge without battering the lawn. I also noticed less whine and vibration than heavier aftermarket line I’ve tried in the past. That matters for operator fatigue if you’re doing a lot of trimming after mowing.

Where it falls short is exactly where any 0.06-inch line will struggle: tougher, woody stems; dried, fibrous stalks; and gravelly areas where the line frequently nicks stone. If you spend a lot of time chewing through thick plant bases or clearing neglected areas, you’ll burn through this faster than you’d like. That’s not a knock on the product so much as a reality of the diameter class.

Feed reliability and line behavior

With these spools, my feed system advanced line consistently. I didn’t experience the premature snaps that sometimes happen when a line is too brittle or poorly wound. Like most pre-wound spools, the line has a bit of coil “memory” when first installed. After a minute or two of trimming, it straightened out and fed smoothly.

I consider this diameter a good pairing for the 20V platform. The lighter line places less load on the motor than heavier gauges, which, in my experience, helps maintain head speed and can modestly benefit runtime. If your trimmer gives you a choice and you’re tempted to bump up to thicker line for durability, just be aware of the potential impact on performance and battery life.

Durability and spool life

How long does a 16.4-foot spool last? It depends on how and where you trim. In everyday work—edging a suburban lawn, cleaning around beds, and tidying fence lines—I got multiple sessions from a single spool. If you regularly contact concrete or chain-link, the wear rate rises quickly. That’s not unique to this product; any small-diameter line will wear fast against hard edges.

To get the most out of the spools:
- Avoid dragging the head against concrete; float the line just off the surface.
- Store spare spools in a cool, dark place. Sun and heat can make line brittle over time.
- If the line seems stiff, a brief soak in water before use can help restore flexibility.

Convenience versus cost

Pre-wound spools cost more per foot than buying bulk line and rewinding yourself. The trade-off is convenience and reliability. For many homeowners, avoiding the learning curve (and rework) of hand-winding is worth the premium. If you trim infrequently or just want your trimmer to work without a ritual, these spools make sense.

There’s also the waste consideration. Each pre-wound core is another piece of plastic to dispose of. If minimizing waste is a priority and you’re comfortable winding, bulk line is the greener route. If you go that way, take the time to wind it evenly and respect the trimmer’s line diameter spec—going thicker isn’t always beneficial.

Compatibility and limitations

These spools are intended for Skil’s 12-inch, 20V heads, including models like the LT1200B. They’re not universal; heads designed for larger diameter line or wider cutting swaths may not accept the spool or may perform poorly. If you’ve got a heavier-duty trimmer or often tackle woody growth, you’ll want a thicker line and a compatible head to match.

Usability notes from the yard

• Edge definition: With the 12-inch head and this line, I can walk a neat edge along my driveway without scalping. It’s easy to keep the head angle steady and let the line do the work.
• Around obstacles: The thin line is forgiving around young trees and drip irrigation lines. It cuts grass without gouging bark as aggressively as thicker lines might—still use care.
• Noise and vibration: Noticeably mild for a string trimmer setup. Less fatigue over a longer session.
• Weather: In very dry conditions, line can feel a hair brittle at first. It settles once it warms up.

Who it suits best

• Homeowners with small to medium lawns running a Skil 20V, 12-inch trimmer
• Users who value drop-in simplicity over penny-per-foot economy
• Anyone frustrated by hand-wound feed issues on auto-feed heads

Less ideal for:
- Heavy vegetation, thick stems, or brushy areas
- Users who want maximum durability per advance regardless of cut finesse
- Larger properties where spool changes are frequent and bulk winding is second nature

The bottom line

The Skil 0.06-inch pre-wound spools (STS1203) do exactly what they set out to do: make line changes quick, keep feed predictable, and pair sensibly with a compact 20V, 12-inch trimmer. The cut quality on turf is tidy, the feel is smooth, and installation is foolproof. The limitations are inherent to the diameter—expect faster wear against hard surfaces and tough weeds. If your trimming needs are typical for a suburban lawn, that’s a fair trade.

Recommendation: I recommend these spools for Skil 12-inch, 20V trimmer owners who want reliable, no-drama line replacement. They’re convenient, they feed cleanly, and they suit the tool’s intended use. If you routinely take on heavier growth or want to minimize plastic waste and cost, bulk line and hand-winding might be better for you. For everyday yard maintenance, though, this three-pack is an easy, effective choice.