Black & Decker Trimmer Line, 20-Foot, 0.08-Inch, Auto Feed

Why I tried the SF-080 spool

I keep a Black+Decker GH3000 around for quick shaping and edging—it’s light, it cuts cleanly, and for a corded trimmer it’s plenty strong. To simplify upkeep, I ran a season using the SF-080 spool, Black+Decker’s factory-wound, auto-feed replacement with 20 feet of 0.080-inch line. On paper, it’s the definition of convenience: pop the old spool out, click the new one in, and get back to work. After several weekends of edging sidewalks, trimming along fence lines, and cleaning around beds, I’ve got a clear sense of where this spool shines and where it comes up short.

What’s in the package and what it fits

• One preloaded, single-line, auto-feed spool
• 20 feet of 0.080-inch round trimmer line
• Designed for Black+Decker’s auto-feed heads, notably the GH3000 series

There’s no cap included—it reuses your trimmer’s existing cap—and there’s nothing else to assemble. If you’re using a GH3000 (the 7.5A corded 2-in-1 trimmer/edger), this is the compatible drop-in. It also works with other B+D models that spec the SF-080, but I’d double-check your manual before ordering. This spool won’t fit other brands’ heads; don’t try to make it.

Setup and first impressions

Installation is as straightforward as these systems get. Press the tabs, pop the cap, lift out the old spool, seat the SF-080 onto the spindle, feed the tag end through the eyelet, and replace the cap. The line length out of the eyelet doesn’t have to be perfect—the auto-feed takes care of it within a couple of seconds at full speed.

The factory winding is tight and tidy to the eye. The plastic spool itself is lightweight, and the flanges aren’t particularly thick. That’s typical of OEM replacements, but you’ll want to be mindful not to crush or twist it during install.

Cutting performance

With the GH3000 at full song, 0.080-inch line is a good match for general yards: lawn grass, tender weeds, and edging along concrete. The SF-080’s round line cuts cleanly and leaves a crisp edge on sidewalks and driveways when you flip the head into edging mode. In dense patches—clumpy fescue, tall crabgrass, and fibrous weeds—it still gets through, but it takes a lighter touch and a bit more patience than a heavier 0.095 line would. The GH3000 has the power, but the line is the limiting factor by design.

What I appreciated was the consistency while the line was fresh. The auto-feed kept length in the sweet spot without my intervention, and the trimmer maintained a steady cut diameter. For tidy weekly maintenance, this is exactly the behavior you want.

Auto-feed behavior and jams

Auto-feed systems live or die on friction and tidy winding. Most of the time, the SF-080 behaved properly: run the motor up to speed, trim for a while, hear the small tick of the line advancing occasionally, and keep going. However, I did run into two issues during the season:

• Spool memory and loosening: After the first few line breaks from hitting concrete edges, the coil on one spool loosened mid-layer and caused a minor bird’s nest. It didn’t weld into a mess, but it did stop feeding and forced me to open the head. Pulling a few feet off, rewinding with steady tension, and reseating fixed it.

• Tight factory wind: On a different spool, the wind was tight enough that the first feed took an extra second to free. Once it did, it fed normally, but the initial hesitation was noticeable.

A couple of simple habits improved reliability for me:
- Before the first use, I pull 2–3 feet of line off the spool and rewind it firmly by hand. This relaxes coil memory and evens out tension.
- I keep the spool compartment clean. Dust and line dust can add just enough friction to confuse the feed mechanism.
- I let the head come fully up to speed before contacting the grass. The system feeds more accurately at steady RPM.

Longevity and line consumption

This is the sticking point for most users, and my experience lines up. Twenty feet disappears faster than you think on a high-speed corded trimmer. On a light maintenance pass—trimming around beds, a couple of trees, and 100 feet of edging—I could get through a session on one spool. On heavier days, edging 300–400 feet of sidewalk and knocking down taller growth along a fence, I’d run out before I was done.

Auto-feed advances line whenever it wears short. Abrasive edging against concrete and frequent starts/stops both accelerate consumption. If you’re maintaining a small yard and mostly trimming grass, 20 feet is enough for a tidy weekly cut. If you’re reclaiming overgrowth or edging long runs, budget at least one spool per session, sometimes more.

Durability of the spool and cap interface

The line itself is typical round copolymer—fine for lawns, not brittle, but not the toughest for heavy weeds. The spool plastic is where I had mixed feelings. It’s serviceable, but the flanges feel thin. One of my spools developed a small crack after a hard strike against a chain-link fence post. That crack didn’t explode the spool, but it was enough for me to replace it rather than risk a mid-job failure. If you’re careful around hard edges and avoid digging the head into the ground, it’s less of a concern.

Value for money

Convenience is the SF-080’s pitch. At around $10.99 for 20 feet, you’re paying for a factory-wound, ready-to-go cartridge. That’s roughly fifty cents a foot. By comparison, bulk 0.080-inch line in 150–200 foot coils often runs a fraction of that per foot. If you own an empty SF-080 spool and you’re comfortable hand-winding, you can cut your consumable cost dramatically.

So the calculus is simple:
- If you prize speed—no winding, no fuss, guaranteed fit—the SF-080’s cost is the premium.
- If you trim heavily or have a large property, buying bulk line and respooling is far more economical.

Who it’s for

• Good fit: GH3000 owners who want the drop-in simplicity of a factory cartridge and mostly do light to moderate trimming with occasional edging.
• Not ideal: Users with long sidewalks, fence lines, or tougher weeds who go through line quickly; anyone who has had repeated issues with auto-feed tension or who is comfortable winding their own spools.

Tips to get the best results

• Pre-stretch and rewind a couple of feet before first use to ease coil memory.
• Clean the spool compartment and eyelet regularly; line dust adds friction.
• Let the trimmer reach full speed before contacting edges; steady RPM feeds more predictably.
• Avoid riding the head hard against concrete. Light passes reduce snap-offs and extend spool life.
• Keep your original spool—even if you buy SF-080 cartridges now, it gives you the option to wind bulk line later.

The bottom line

The SF-080 spool does what it promises: it drops in, feeds automatically, and cuts well for routine yard work. On a compatible Black+Decker trimmer like the GH3000, it’s an easy way to keep the tool ready for weekend chores without fiddling with line. Where it struggles is value and long-run reliability. Twenty feet isn’t much on a high-speed trimmer, and the combination of tight factory winding and a lightweight spool can occasionally lead to tangles or a cracked flange if you’re rough on the head.

My recommendation: a conditional yes. I recommend the SF-080 spool if you value convenience, run a compatible B+D trimmer, and primarily do light to moderate maintenance. It makes quick work of everyday trimming and edging with minimal hassle. If you tackle heavier growth, edge long stretches of concrete, or want the best value, I’d skip the cartridges and wind bulk 0.080-inch line onto an empty SF-080 spool instead. That route is cheaper, lets you control winding tension, and, in my experience, reduces the chances of a mid-job jam.