Cutting leaves, branches, roots and bushes sometimes is not that easy for a mower device. It is necessary to use a hedge trimmer, which allows you to clean off your garden from debris and, helps you to maneuver it to all the corners, where a mower equipment cannot be used. A hedge trimmer will help you to even cut hanging flowers.
But, as all other devices even a hedge trimmer can get rusty or even slow down, thus be ineffective to perform properly. In this article, we are going to show you how to sharpen hedge trimmers, whether you are using an electrical one, or a gas-powered one. In general, there are certain ways on how you can sharpen a hedge trimmer, which are not only easy, but cost-free as well.
As usual, when undertaking a simple procedure like hedge trimmer sharpening you will still need to follow some essential steps and, take precaution measures, not only to avoid unwanted incidents, but also doing the job the best way possible. Following this, you can read our recommendations below on different sharpener’s tools that you can use to grind a hedge trimmer.
How to Best Sharpen a Hedge Trimmer
1. Preliminary Actions
There are several ways on how you can sharpen your hedge trimmer. After you have noticed that your device is not working properly, sharpening its blades is a must. First of all, many hedge trimmers that do not work might have gotten rust and dull. Following this, cleaning the hedge’s trimmer blades is essential before performing the sharpening process. You can use different cleaning chemicals, which are easy to find or if you do not have any at home, oil and a dry piece of cloth will do just fine.
Secondly, before starting the sharpening process make sure that you have secured your hedge trimmer in a fixed position, thus it will not create you any problem while you sharpen its blades. In addition, safety goggles, protective ear plugs and leather gloves are helpful while you work. These precaution measures need to be taken so that you do not risk on the sharp blades and avoiding cutting yourself. A reminder to turn off the gas-powered hedge trimmer or turn off the power button if you are using an electrical one.
2. Sharpening Your Hedge Trimmer Using a File
The easiest and cheapest way to sharpen your electrical or gas-powered hedge trimmer is by using a mill file. We all have this kind of equipment in our toolbox, which is very handy for multiple purposes. Before starting to sharpen the blades, it is crucial to align the upper blade and the lower one with the hedge clipper so that they are in line with each other.
In the surface of each blade you will notice some small holes that allow you to put screws or nuts to hold the blades firm together. If you sharpen your hedge trimmer by just using a mill file, it will require some time as you need to go tooth by tooth all over the surface of the blades.
The teeth of the blades have a triangle shape which means you have to sharpen both sides and the tooth top as well. Using a file means positioning the sharpening tool on each side of the tooth and move it back and forth for a couple of times until you see that the rust and dull have vanished. Repeat this action on all the blades teeth until you finish sharpening your hedge trimmer completely.
3. The Method of Using a Power Grinder
Another effective way to sharpen your hedge trimmer perfectly is by using a power grinder. This method is not only more effective than the first one, but also easier, faster and will not require any strength at all. All you have to do is plug this electric device and start cleaning off the rust material that your hedge trimmer has accumulated in time.
We have to remind you that this kind of sharpening is a bit loud due to the friction that the power grind creates with the blades teeth. Thus, putting on the ear plug and protective goggles are suggested and necessary not only to protect yourself. But also to work quietly and undisturbed. This procedure is the same as above, as you need to apply the grind power on all teeth: one by one.
Realizing the fact that a power grind does not take much time to sharpen compared to the mill file, you can choose which way suits you better to do the sharpening process: either by grinding the blades separately from each other or doing it after you have put them together in a fixed position. A power grind is more effective according to us.
Conclusion
A hedge trimmer is a very effective cutting tool that will help you keep clean all your backyard by eliminating unnecessary bushes, branches and leaves. With time passing every equipment, a hedge trimmer included, gets consumed. That is why sharpening is a much needed procedure to be performed time after time. Usually, there are two ways on how the sharpening process can take place.
The first one, which is also called the manual method, requires using a mill file and the strength of your arm while you place the sharpening tool on the surface of each tooth. Since it is called a manual method, it is easy to perform it and cheap as well. The second method, which not only is easier than the first but also quicker, requires the use of an extra device such as the power grinder.
Both methods are based on the same principle, as the sharpening process has to be applied step by step. Last, but not the least, precaution measures are always important as you need to take care of your hands while working on those sharp blades. Thus, make sure you wear protective goggles, earplugs and leather gloves. Enjoy it!
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