Black & Decker Single line Auto Feed Replacement Spool

A plug-and-play spool for the GH3000 that favors convenience over economy

I put the SF-080 spool through multiple yards’ worth of trimming on a Black & Decker GH3000, swapping in fresh cartridges over the course of a summer. My takeaway is simple: it absolutely nails fit and convenience, and it cuts cleanly, but it asks you to pay for that ease—in both dollars and line consumption. If you’re after guaranteed compatibility and zero fuss, it does the job. If you regularly edge long sidewalks or chew through thick, abrasive growth, you’ll burn through these quickly.

Setup and compatibility

Installation is as painless as it gets. Pop off the cap, drop in the SF-080 spool, thread the line through the eyelet, and click the cap back on. The spool seats securely in the GH3000’s head, and the auto-feed mechanism recognizes it immediately. That guaranteed fit matters more than it sounds: sleeve diameter, hub height, and flange geometry affect how smoothly a trimmer’s auto-feed system meters line. With this OEM spool, the feed is predictable out of the gate, with no shims, no fiddling, and no second pull.

At 0.080-inch diameter, the line is a good match for the GH3000’s power. It’s a substantial step up in durability versus 0.065-inch line, yet it still spins fast enough on a high-RPM electric to slice grass cleanly without bogging.

Cutting performance

The SF-080’s round monofilament cuts lawn grass, plantain, and common weeds crisply. On fresh growth, I get a uniform finish and minimal shredding. When I move to tougher material—dried stalks, thick thatch, or tall edging against concrete—the line wears down quickly, as round 0.080 tends to do. That’s not a knock on cut quality; it’s simply the tradeoff of round line: smooth feeding and less vibration at the expense of abrasion resistance on hard edges.

On the GH3000, the single-line auto-feed behaves well when the spool is wound correctly. Spin up the head and you’ll usually hear the quick tick of the cutter blade trimming excess line. If I feel the cut bog or the swath narrow, a brief on/off cycle typically advances a touch more line automatically. It’s set-and-forget most of the time.

Line life and runtime

This is where expectations matter. The spool carries 20 feet of 0.080-inch line. How long that lasts depends heavily on technique and terrain:

• Light maintenance around beds and lawn edges: I can usually finish a small city lot (front and back) on a single spool.
• Heavier edging along long sidewalks, chain-link fences, or rough concrete: I go through a spool faster—often within a single, longer session.
• Dense or woody weeds: runtime drops sharply; abrasion and impact shorten the line quickly.

The auto-feed helps maintain an efficient cutting radius, but it also means you’re constantly metering out line. If you’re hard on the tip—riding the string against concrete or fencing—the consumption rate climbs. That’s normal for round 0.080, but it means the SF-080 is best thought of as a convenience cartridge rather than an economy champion.

Winding quality and line management

This spool is factory-wound, which should minimize tangles and ensure even feeding. On most of the units I used, that held true. However, I ran into two headaches on separate spools:

• Line memory: The line retained tight coils from the factory wind, which can cause loops to lift and snag under centrifugal force. Letting the spool sit in the sun for a bit or in warm water helps relax the memory before use.
• Over-tight winding: One spool felt wound too tight. It fed fine at first, then hung up halfway through. Pulling a few inches by hand to re-establish tension restored feeding, but the stop-start was noticeable.

Both issues are fixable without tools. If a spool stalls, I pop the cap, straighten the next few wraps, and re-seat the line under a touch more tension. As a longer-term strategy, rewinding the same spool with bulk 0.080 line solves the problem entirely and improves value—just follow the direction arrows and keep the wraps neat with consistent tension.

Durability and spool construction

The spool body is lightweight plastic. In normal use on the GH3000’s auto-feed head, it’s fine—there’s no bumping force transmitted to the cartridge. Where problems arise is when a tangle or jam occurs and the line welds to itself under heat; that sudden torque can crack the inner hub or lift the lower flange. I had one cartridge split at the core after a nasty jam. Since then, I’ve followed two habits that have spared subsequent spools:

• Don’t force a feed: if the line doesn’t advance after a couple of on/off cycles, remove the cap and free the wraps.
• Keep the guard blade sharp and present: running an overlong line increases drag and torque on the spool.

I also inspect the cap’s locking tabs and the head’s mating surfaces for burrs. A tight, even cap lock reduces chatter that can fatigue the spool over time.

Value and cost-per-foot

There’s no way around it: 20 feet of OEM 0.080 line in a pre-wound cartridge is pricey compared with buying bulk line. You’re paying for compatibility, ready-to-run convenience, and the time you don’t spend rewinding. For occasional users who burn a spool every few weeks, the cost may be acceptable, and the reliability of the auto-feed with an OEM form factor is compelling. For anyone maintaining long sidewalks, acreage, or abrasive edges, the cost-per-session adds up quickly.

My compromise is to keep one or two SF-080 spools in rotation and refill them with quality 0.080 line from a bulk roll. The OEM spool geometry preserves the auto-feed’s consistency, while the bulk line dramatically lowers running costs. If you prefer a tougher line, a square or twisted 0.080 can boost durability, though round line generally feeds the smoothest.

Practical tips for best results

• Relax the line: Warm the spool in the sun or a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes before first use to reduce coil memory.
• Mind the edge: Let the tip do the work; avoid dragging the string hard against concrete and fencing.
• Let the auto-feed work: If the swath shortens, cycle the trigger instead of holding it wide open.
• Keep wraps neat when refilling: Wind evenly with firm tension, following the arrow direction on the spool.
• Carry a spare: Swapping a fresh spool mid-job is faster than fighting a jam.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners who want guaranteed fit and hassle-free installation on a GH3000.
• Light to moderate trimming where convenience matters more than squeezing every penny out of the line.
• Users who prefer to refill OEM spools with bulk line to balance reliability and cost.

Who should look elsewhere

• Heavy users who edge long stretches of concrete or trim around abrasive surfaces every weekend.
• Anyone primarily motivated by lowest cost-per-foot and willing to wind their own spools exclusively.
• Users seeking maximum durability from the line itself; a tougher profile (square/twisted) may be a better match, provided it feeds reliably in your head.

The bottom line

The SF-080 spool does exactly what an OEM cartridge should: it fits, feeds, and cuts with minimal fuss. On the GH3000, the pairing feels dialed-in, and for small to mid-size yards it’s an easy win for convenience. The tradeoffs are predictable—shorter runtime from a 20-foot load of round 0.080 line and a higher cost-per-session than refilling from bulk. I also encountered occasional feed hiccups tied to line memory or tight winding, both manageable with quick, practical fixes.

Recommendation: I recommend the SF-080 spool for GH3000 owners who value plug-and-play reliability and want to avoid the hassle of winding line. If you frequently tackle long, abrasive edging or trim for extended sessions, you’ll save money by refilling an OEM spool with bulk 0.080 line—or by choosing a tougher line profile that your head will feed consistently.