Summary:
I'd buy another one. Unfortunately for 2007, Sears has dropped this model (with the 40cc B&S Engine) for the 79617 with (looking at the picture) a 29cc Roybi engine. $40 more than the same trimmer with the curved shaft! All kinds of add-ons such as a blower, edger, bush cutter and pruner (tiny chain saw). The book even shows a small snow thrower although Sears doesn't seem to carry that one.

Strengths:
Very quiet, starts easily, cuts great. For me, well worth the price. Runs VERY smoothly and of course, cuts easily. I like the hassle free head. I wasn't sure at first, since you had to stop the trimmer, get a new line, feed it into the head and the go again....the lines last quite a while, so this is NO big deal at all.

Weaknesses:
A bit heavy, but with the shoulder strap, piece of cake!

Summary:
Beats me, I purchased the floor demo and didn't notice that it did not have the spark pulg. I went back to the store and they gave me the run around, they sent me to the Burbank, CA parts store and they ordered the wrong spark plug. Can anyone tell me what spark plug it uses? It didn't come with a manual and I can't seem to get one.

Strengths:
I don't know

Weaknesses:
I really don't know

Summary:
Overall, I liked it while it lasted, but I'm growing tired of occasional use tools that only work on occasion. I don't use things that often, but I don't have time to waste tinkering around with everything. I'd rather get a professional grade tool that I can depend on during the rare occasions I need them. While this was very dependable until recently, I'd consider this a significant mechanical failure. Parts can't be picked up locally and it is unusable in its current state. Now that I'm looking for information, I find that many others also had clutch progblems with this model. Anyway, I bought a Stihl FS90R today and expect good results. Because I own a couple hundred dollars worth of attachments for the craftsman, I'm going to see whether I can get it repaired. I question whether parts/labor will be reasonable, or if I'm better writing it off as an expensive lesson learned.

Strengths:
Always starts, runs great, plenty of attachments and lots of power. The pole saw attachment was great, and more reliable than my Poulon Wild Thing chainsaw.

Weaknesses:
The clutch, clutch, clutch. My clutch kinda grenaded on me. It was running fine, then all of a sudden it started running rough and started smoking. I was worried that it seized up, but it was only the clutch. Apparently the little screw that holds the drum over the clutch must have backed out. The drum backed off and the clutch came apart. There was enough slack in the clutch springs to allow it to slip back over the driveshaft and start chewing up and/or melting the surrounding plastic. The only other drawback was the weight, but I was willing to put up with it considering its power.