What is the best technique to re-wind plastic string onto the spool of a gas string trimmer? This trimmer has a "tap-and-advance" feature. The re-winding needs to be specific (clockwise, counterclock wise, etc) so that it performs to factory-new specs.

Yeah... I have tried to thread my own line in the past. I have never been successful. Mine had 2 strings coming out of the spool. I followed the little insufficient diagram on the spool itself and fished the line through the holes... put back together and the line did not come out as it had when the factory spool was in there. I tried to wind it up tight... loose... both lines to the left... both lines to the right... alternating lines both left and right... all to no avail. I gave up.

I bought a replacement head that has 4 shorter thicker lines that are simple to install. Also available in stores are replacement spools that are specific to your weed wacker.

I know it is cheaper to buy line and wind the spool yourself... but it is a waste of money and time if the line does not work as it is supposed to when wound by a human hand.

I have accepted defeat in the battle of the trimmer line. There may be a master trimmer line installer here on AMHD... tis not me. The replacement heads work great... they have 4 strings instead of 2 and the strings are much thicker.

Hi,
It can be an involved explanation and can vary in a few ways by machine specs. The best allaround one I have read would be the one in the Ryobi manual. Look at:
Free lawn and garden product owners manuals, user guides & how-to instructions | ManualsOnline (http://lawnandgarden.manualsonline.com/)
And there are a number of ways to those or other manuals.
No brand was mentioned and lots of manufacturers have manuals online at their sites.
Peace,
Clarke