Black & Decker AFS Replacement Spool 0.065 in (2-pack)

Why I reached for these spools

Midway through a summer of weekly trims, I wanted less time fiddling with line and more time actually cleaning up edges. The 0.065-inch AFS spools from Black & Decker have been my go-to for several seasons on a handful of their auto-feed trimmers. They’re simple: pop out the spent spool, drop in a pre-wound one, thread the line, and go. That convenience is the main draw, but it only matters if the line feeds reliably and holds up to real-world yard work. After running multiple two-packs through models like the LST136, LST300, and GH900, I’ve come away with a clear view of where these spools shine and where they can hiccup.

Compatibility and fit

These are the AF-100-style spools, factory-wound with 0.065-inch round nylon line. They’re designed for Black & Decker’s AFS (Automatic Feed System) heads used on a wide range of corded and cordless trimmers. I’ve used them on:

• LST220, LST300, LST400, LST420, LST136
• GH400–GH912 series
• ST6600, ST7000, ST7700
• MTC220 and MTE912 (the trim/edge/mow combos)
• NST series (1118/2018/2118)
• CST1000–CST2000

If your trimmer uses the AF-100 spool format, this two-pack will drop right in. If your machine is a bump-feed model or uses 0.080-inch line, look elsewhere. Always check the spool style stamped inside your trimmer’s guard or in the manual; “AF-100” is the key.

Fit-wise, most of my spools have seated perfectly. I have had one outlier where the spool felt tight on an LST220 and didn’t feed smoothly. A quick inspection showed a small plastic burr on the spool hub. A light scrape with a utility knife to deburr the edge fixed the binding. It’s rare, but worth checking if the head suddenly stops advancing.

Installation and ease of use

Installation is about as painless as it gets:

1. Remove the battery or unplug (safety first).
2. Press the tabs on the spool cap and lift it off.
3. Drop the spool in with the line facing the eyelet.
4. Feed a few inches of line through the eyelet.
5. Reinstall the cap until it clicks.

The factory wind is tight and even, which matters. A loose or uneven wind causes the automatic feed to misbehave, either sticking or dumping line. With these pre-wound spools, I rarely see either issue out of the package. If you do re-load an empty spool yourself later, match the original wind direction and tension closely and keep the wraps neat.

Auto-feed performance

Black & Decker’s AFS advances line automatically when it detects it’s short. In practice, three habits make these spools work as intended:

• Keep the trigger pulled during a cut. Rapid on-off cycles can trick the head into feeding too much line.
• Let the cutter blade on the guard trim the line to length; don’t hand-trim unless the line over-advances.
• Don’t bump the head—this isn’t a bump-feed system.

On a properly functioning head, these spools advance a controlled amount—typically just enough to maintain cutting diameter after wear or a break. I’ve had one pack where a spool over-advanced (several inches at a time). Swapping to the second spool in the pack resolved it, which suggests a tension inconsistency in the wind. That’s been the exception, not the rule, but it underscores the value of the factory wind and quality control.

Cutting performance and line life

A 0.065-inch round line is a light-duty choice. That’s not a drawback for most homeowners—it’s gentle on battery life, easy on smaller motors, and it cuts cleanly through typical lawn grasses.

• Routine trimming (fences, trees, beds): The line holds up well, especially on wood, vinyl, or stone borders where you’re skimming rather than grinding. It leaves a tidy edge and doesn’t chatter as much as stiffer, thicker line.
• Edging sidewalks and drives: It’s effective but will wear faster against concrete. You’ll see more frequent advances and a shorter spool life if you edge aggressively every session.
• Heavy weeds and tall, fibrous stems: This is where 0.065 shows its limits. It will cut, but expect more breaks and feed events. If thick weeds are your norm, a trimmer that supports 0.080 or tougher copolymer line is a better match.

In my average suburban yard (roughly 200–300 linear feet of edging and fence lines), a single spool typically lasts two to four typical sessions, depending on how much hard-surface edging I do. On weeks where I avoid riding the line along concrete, I’ll squeeze out an extra session.

Durability and consistency

The line itself is standard round nylon—no fancy edges or reinforced core. That’s fine for most jobs and keeps the cost reasonable. The bigger story here is spool consistency. Factory winding helps prevent “line bite” (layers pinching and locking) and reduces the chance of the spool welding on itself during hot weather. I’ve had fewer jams with these pre-wound spools than with DIY winds, particularly in midsummer heat.

That said, storage matters. Don’t leave spools baking in direct sun on a patio table; prolonged heat can stiffen the line and encourage memory coils, which in turn can hinder feeding. I store unopened packs in a shaded cabinet in the garage and keep an opened spare in a plastic bag to retain a bit of humidity.

Value and alternatives

Pre-wound spools cost more per foot than buying bulk line and reusing your old spool. The trade-off is time and reliability. The even factory wind and correct tension save me a surprising amount of frustration, and for most homeowners trimming once a week, the two-pack cadence works out well.

If you trim acres or edge long concrete runs every weekend, economics tilt toward bulk line. In that case, I recommend using these spools as your template: note the wind direction, fill to the same line level, and keep the wraps tight and parallel. A poorly wound DIY spool will eat any cost savings in jams and wasted line.

Maintenance tips that make a difference

A few small habits keep these spools feeding smoothly:

• Clean the spool housing: Grass dust builds up in the cap and around the feed lever. A quick brush-out each spool change helps.
• Inspect the spring and cap: If the head starts to starve line, a weak spring or worn cap can be the culprit, not the spool. Caps are inexpensive to replace.
• Trim with steady trigger pulls: Avoid feathering the trigger; start/stop cycles are what cue the feeder most.
• Let the guard blade work: If the line is consistently too long, the blade might be dull or missing—replace it.

What could be better

• Occasional tolerance hiccups: I’ve encountered one tight spool hub in many packs, easily fixed by deburring, but still inconvenient.
• No heavy-duty option in this format: A tougher copolymer or 0.070 option would extend life against concrete, though it would also impact compatibility and battery load.
• Packaging waste: The plastic spools add up. The silver lining is you can re-use them with bulk line when you have time.

The bottom line

For users of Black & Decker’s auto-feed trimmers, these AF-100 spools deliver what the platform is built around: quick changes, hands-off line advancement, and reliable cutting with light-duty 0.065-inch line. In my use, they reduce downtime compared to hand-wound spools, maintain a consistent feed, and handle the typical mix of grass trimming and light edging that surrounds most suburban yards. They’re not a match for heavy brush or weekly concrete grinding, and once in a while a spool may need a minor deburr for a perfect fit, but those are manageable trade-offs.

Recommendation: I recommend these spools for homeowners using compatible Black & Decker AFS trimmers who value convenience and reliable auto-feed performance. They’re a time-saver, they cut cleanly for routine yard maintenance, and the factory wind minimizes hassles. If your trimming regularly involves thick weeds or heavy hard-surface edging, consider either stepping up to a thicker-line trimmer or reloading these spools with a tougher copolymer line—otherwise, this two-pack is a practical, low-friction choice.