I need a part for a weed wracker craftmans model 257.798051 I need the part that holds the spool in place it's a cover

remove the spool and wind the spring hold it with a screw driver thread string and make a knot on the end release the spring and reattach the spool if you need visual instructions try Sears parts.com they will help.

Remove 4 screws that hold starter to housing, remove handle by cutting rope, notice how rope is wound and mark arrow on spool for direction, from drawing looks like there is a compression ring holding the spool in place, let tension of spring by allowing spool to unwind, Remove this ring very carefully to prevent damage. Remove spool carefully and let spring stay in starter housing. Rewind rope install in starter housing install compression ring wind cord in spool three turns pull through rope eyelet and install handle.

Not much info in the question. You may have organic matter wrapped tightly between the spool housing and the shaft. To fix, removed the spool housing to acess the weed stems, grass or other stuff that could be tightly wrapped up in the shaft. If yours has the gear housing you should remove it and clean it inside as well. It will have stuff wrapped in the lower bearing so tight you may have to replace the bearing. Use wheel bearing grease when re packing gears.

Replacing the bobbin case after changing the thread spool gets you back to sewing. The Singer Simple model is designed for the beginning sewer. Even with its simplistic design, often getting started takes a bit of time, concentration and practice. Without the bobbin casing properly in place, the machine will not sew. You can get the machine up and running again.

The little spool holds the thread inside the bobbin casing.
The little spool holds the thread inside the bobbin casing.

Turn off the power to the machine. Power is not needed for any part of the process. Turn the machine off and unplug for safety reasons.

Turn the hand crank on the machine to move the needle into the highest position. Move the presser foot the up position.


Open the hinged latch covering the front of the bobbin cover. This is the device that holds the spool in place.

Place the threaded spool inside the inner casing. Place in so the thread is running in a clockwise direction.

Slide the thread through the slot opening on the let bottom of the casing. The slot is next to the outer arm of the casing. Close the hinged latch.


Hold the casing so the outer arm is sticking straight up. The thread will be coming out to the left of the arm; lay it under the arm to the right.

Push the casing into the internal bobbin slot on the machine. It will lightly snap into place.

Replace the outer machine cover over the bobbin

Hi rlgingas...

1 Press the lock and rotate the spool counter-clockwise
Some you will have to remove the center knob.
2 Remove the locking ring if your weed eater has one.
3 Take off the automatic feed button.
4 Wipe away any dirt and debris.
5 Push down on the spool to release the locking tabs.
6 Remove the spool from the chamber.

Restringing the Weed Eater
1 Feed one end of the line into one of the holes of the spool, and secure the end that was inserted
2 Wrap the line in the direction of the arrows. Do this until until you fill the spool up with line.
3 Secure each of the lines into its own upper and lower grooves.
4 Re-install the spool into the chamber from which it was removed.
5 Pass the lines into the left and right holes and snap the spool into place.
6 Once the spool is in its sleeve and fed into its left and right eye holes, pull both ends simultaneously.
7 Reinstall the locking ring if necessary, reinstall the center knob.

Replace the fuel line, you are at risk fo fire until you do.

Usually one get a a spool of the cutting wire and it snaps into place.
http://flymolawnmower.co.cc/reviews-Toro_Electric_Trimmer_Replacement_Spool_with_065_Inch_by_10_Foot_Line_88185-B00005V7KY.html
Shows you also how to do it on package.

The nylon string is simply spun onto the emty spool. There should be an arrow on the top of the spool indicating the direction to wind the line. If the spool is missing a notch to hold the line to get started, use your finger to hold it in place for a few full wraps.

Remove the bolt holding the spool in place. Unscrew the cap and turn the spool. that should give you access to the spindle that holds the line. Put the new line in the starter hole and reverse the process. You should be ready to go now

Good fix, mrfixit-jerr! Also, if you remove the rear cover (4 screws) you can stabilize the crankshaft by inserting a screwdriver between the lobe of the shaft and the counterweight.