Cany anyone tell me how to sharpen my garden tools?

3 Comments

• gimpalomg says:

  June 25, 2010 at 9:36 am

  Matt:

  Your question covers a great deal of area. The diversity of garden tools is unbelievable but I will offer a few comments.

  Sharpening any tool, garden or otherwise, is a process of reestablishing the factory shape and cutting edge. A few GOOD files (don’t skimp on files, cheap files are just that) are essential. A midsized vice of reasonable quality will make life a lot easier. A nice but not necessary item is a midsized midcost grinder. A six inch grinder will do a fine job on damaged tools providing they are salvageable. All that remains is some elbow grease and patience.

  Sharpening powered tools like chainsaw chains, hedge trimmer and so forth can be a bit tricky. Some hands on instruction would be very helpful in this area. Some items in the power catagory likes mower blades are doable by weekend gardners. A balance checker, usually available where mowers and mower parts are sold, is important. Keeping the blade balanced is important to safety and to the life expectancy of your mower engine. I do mower blades with a file. Some use a grinder, I think it’s a matter of personal preferance and perhaps speed required by professional sharpenes.

  I did a Yahoo search, "How to sharpen garden tools". I received several hits for books and magazine articles. Take a look at the book rack in a home improvement center. You might find something there.

  Last thought: You are, of course, free to spend your money as you see fit but I wouldn’t spend any of my money on any of the cheap sharpeners. Sharpening tools just has too many variables to make any of them get my money.

  If you care to discuss a particular tool, contact me through my profile and I’ll do my best to help.
• iritadragon says:

  June 25, 2010 at 9:36 am

  http://www.garden-tools-guide.com/sharpeninglawnmowerblades.html

  http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/articles/200004/sharpen/main.html

  http://www.sportys.com/shoptool/information/products/Garden_Tool_Sharpener.html

  These are a few sites I’ve come up with. I’m going to be racing you to the store, because I need to do this too!!
• Average Joe says:

  June 25, 2010 at 9:36 am

  For the shovel, clippers, and other small items you can use a bastard file, which is available at any hardware or home store. An angle grinder works great on the lawnmower blade and other tools that need extra grinding to get an edge. A bench grinder can also be useful. Good luck