How to Sharpen Hedge Trimmers
When you’re out gardening or doing landscaping, a pair of hedge trimmers is a very efficient tool, as long as its blades are sharp. If not, it can lead to damage on your plants, longer time to finish gardening tasks and even to hurting yourself. Sharpening hedge trimmers is not a difficult task, but you need proper attention and the right tools when doing it.
Using A Metal Filer
A metal filer is a versatile tool used for sharpening various gardening and around-the-house equipment. You can use it for your hedge trimmer, but you have to be very careful, as this can hurt you if not done properly.
What You’ll Need:
Metal filer
Flat surface
Protective goggles for your eyes
Pliers
Procedure:
Put your hedge trimmers on a flat surface, with the sharp blades pointing away from your body.
Get a pair of pliers and position it around your hedge trimmers’ bolt. Carefully and securely clamp the pliers on the trimmers’ bolt.
Twist the pliers counterclockwise, removing the bolt.
Separate the blades, setting one aside.
Wear your protective goggles. Get one of the blades then hold it with the handle, facing away from you. Slide a filer down the blade’s length, until you get to the pointed end.
Keep sharpening the blade for a couple more minutes. Do the same for the other blade.
Use a piece of paper to test the blades. Hold the paper beside the blade, and try to cut it without so much force. If it’s easily sliced, then your blades are appropriately sharpened. If not, then keep sharpening with the filer. Try another piece of paper.
Assemble your trimmers, the same way you took them apart.
Some Tips
Metal fragments and other debris can get in your eyes as you sharpen the trimmers, so wear goggles.
If you have power hedge trimmers, bring them to a professional for sharpening.
If your trimmers’ blades are not bolted, it means the trimmer must not be serviced. Replace the trimmer with a new one.
The sharpness of your hedge trimmers’ blades will determine how properly and neatly you can maintain your garden. Try these steps and make sure your trimmers are efficient all the time. If you want to create your own hedge, read how to make hedge for your garden and as an addition learn how to sharpen drill bits.