Bosch 06008A5870 ART 24 Electric Grass Trimmer, Cutting Diameter 24 cm

The wire keep cutting and I have to extend the wire every 10 min of use. very inconvenient and difficult to use.

UPDATED REVIEW: I was finally able to find a 'how to' video online that demonstrated how to remedy the faults of the machine. Consequently, it is only fair to update my review because when the machine is working, it is a great tool, and now I know how to rethread the wire/cable in minutes, it is not such a big deal. This strimmer works like any strimmer, in terms of the cable sometimes autofeeding, sometimes not autofeeding. Nevertheless it is a great tool, and does the job with ease. I would have dropped a star becuase even though I now know how to deal with most problems, I still think the 'instructions' (if they can loosely be described as such) are absolutely hopeless! It is such a shame to find so many quality manufacturers reducing their product instructions to 'generic' forms of pointless images. Worse still, having no supporting videos describing how to do simple maintenance (that is required) of their products. So still a big disappointment in these terms. But the strimmer is a 'Bosch-quality' tool, so it gets all 5 stars. If you are not already familiar with a Bosch strimmer tool when you purchase this tool, my advice would be to watch a video by eSpares, where Amy explains, and demonstrates how to deal with the wire/cable (very quickly, in only 3.50 minutes!). Go to Youtube and enter the search term: 'What to Check if Your Grass Trimmer Line Doesn’t Feed Through or Breaks' Bosch are great tools, after watching the demonstration, you'll have no problems changing, or checking the cutting line. PREVIOUS REVIEW: ...literally!...copy n pasted from 'Mary Ann II' review, as covers all my points: I am generally a big fan of German products, and have happily bought Bosch tools in the past. However, I am shocked by the uselessness of this grass trimmer. Indeed, what other people wrote in their negative reviews is 100% true. Let's list the points here: 1) No English instructions, but just a series of obscure drawings to interpret. I tried to find some written instructions on the Bosch website, but no. 2) The booklet in the package shows some kind of hook on the back to keep the cable in place, but there is no such thing. 3) You cannot use it for more than a few SECONDS before the plastic line/wire breaks. The wire did not last, not even a whole minute! 4) You want to fix the broken plastic wire? Good luck finding out how, based solely on the obscure drawings. I will be writing to Bosch for some instructions at some point, but no hurry as summer over and reverted back to using appropriate hand tools. I am still a fan of Bosch, my home is full of their tools...but this has to be the most frustrating tool I have ever purchased from Bosch...or any brand if it comes to that! Message to any Bosch readers: this tool is not fit for purpose. If you must retail it as is, proper instructions on disassembly of the cord unit and reassembly should be included in the packaging with the unit.

I can believe that, if you want a tool to cut areas of long-ish, rough grass and weeds, this would do a great job. Unfortunately, that’s not what I need – I have a mower for cutting the grass, and the reason for buying this was to edge the lawn alongside paths and walls, and it’s not good at that. It replaced a Black & Decker equivalent that gave up the ghost after thirty-something years, and in comparison with that this has one major and one minor weakness: - The major one is that the cutting arc of the rotating line is completely within the head cover (the old B&D one cut 10 or 20mm out beyond the edge of the cover). This is probably better for safety, but in edging position means that it’s very difficult to see where it’s going to cut, and then to hold the head at a point where it cuts but doesn’t gouge the lawn. - It’s much heavier at the head end. With the head turned to edging position, and combined with the problem described above, it’s quite hard to manage with any accuracy. Neither of these points would matter very much if it’s being used for mowing rather than edging, and I notice that one model variant comes with a small wheel for attachment to the back of the head, which would presumably help to keep it at a constant height and also support the weight. There are a couple of other points which were less important to me and which have been mentioned in other reviews anyway – the slider that allows the head to rotate is very stiff and quite awkward to use; the on/off switch is easy to trigger accidentally (when you might be holding the ‘active’ end); the instructions could be better; etc. etc. I won’t send it back, as I’ve now used it twice, but now that I’ve used it I wouldn’t buy it again.

I got this to replace an old Flymo strimmer/edger. It is more sophisticated than the old one but there are drawbacks, not least, that you need to get the wheel attachment which is sold separately in order to make this easier to manoeuvre. I didn't have too much trouble with it strimming but edging is a different matter and it is quite difficult to do without the wheel. I got that from another site for around £18 so take that into consideration when looking at the price of this compared with others. For some reason, Bosch seems to be doing this more often. Having said that, this cuts a lot better than the old one so one you get the handling sorted the results are excellent. Height adjusted and lightweight which are all important. I also prefer items with a power cable than having to remember to charge batteries. That also avoids problems others have noted these days that battery powered items being sold without batteries or chargers which is even worse than this case of needing a wheel attachment.

It cuts well and is light and easy to handle. I have found that the thread that cuts lasts very little. Maybe because it is thin, however I enlarged the holes where the wires pass, and I put a 3 mm wire in it. Now I'm waiting for the grass to grow back to see if it lasts longer.