If you’re an avid gardener, you likely have more tools for care than your average homeowner. You probably have pruning shears, a hand rake, and other tools for tending your plants and trees. But what about hedge trimmers? There are two cuts above the rest when it comes to electric hedge trimmers: self-sharpening and double-edged blades. In this article, we’ll cover how to sharpen an electric hedge trimmer so you can get the most out of your tool moving forward. Keep reading to discover more!
How To Sharpen An Electric Hedge Trimmer?
Sharpen the Blade Using a File
The best way to start sharpening your hedge trimmer is by using a file. You can use any standard file you find at your local hardware store. This is a great way to get a quick, easy and free edge on your hedge trimmer’s blade. To sharpen the blade of your hedge trimmer, hold the blade of your file about 6 inches from the tip of the blade. Move the file back and forth along the length of the blade, making sure to file both sides of the blade and the top of the teeth. You can also use a metal file to sharpen the blades of other types of garden tools, like shovels and spades. If you decide to use a file to sharpen your hedge trimmer, be sure to use light pressure. This will help to prevent the blade from becoming misaligned.
Sharpen the Blade Using Sandpaper
If you’ve used a file to sharpen your hedge trimmer, and there’s still some roughness on the blade, you can quickly and easily remedy this by using sandpaper. Start by choosing a sandpaper grit between 100 and 180. A lower grit will remove more material from the blade, whereas a higher grit will remove less material. Hold the sandpaper against the blade, with the finish side on top. Slowly move the sandpaper back and forth along the blade, making sure to sand the blade on both sides of the blade and the top of the teeth. If you want to use sandpaper to sharpen your hedge trimmer, start with higher grit sandpaper and work your way down to lower grit sandpaper to finish.
Use an Edge Trimmer
An edge trimmer is a great tool to have on hand if you’re going to be doing a lot of sharpening. It features a spinning blade that you can adjust to a wide range of blade angles. You can use an edge trimmer to quickly and easily sharpen the blade of your hedge trimmer. To start sharpening your hedge trimmer with an edge trimmer, select an angle that is the same as the angle the blade is currently at. Hold the blade against the spinning blade of the hedge trimmer. Move the blade along the hedge trimmer, making sure to go back and forth along the length of the blade. You can also use an edge trimmer to sharpen blades on other garden tools.
Use an Electric Honing Tool
An electric honing tool is a handy device that you can use to quickly and easily sharpen the blade of your hedge trimmer. It features a spinning blade that is adjustable to a wide range of blade angles just like an edge trimmer. To start sharpening your hedge trimmer with an electric honing tool, select an angle that is the same as the angle the blade is currently at. Hold the blade against the spinning blade of the honing tool. Move the blade along the honing tool, making sure to go back and forth along the length of the blade. You can also use an electric honing tool to sharpen blades on other garden tools.
Use a Grinder
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to sharpen your hedge trimmer, a grinder is a way to go. Using a grinder to sharpen your hedge trimmer is quick and easy, but it can also be messy. Be sure to wear protective gear, like gloves, goggles and a mask, when using a grinder to sharpen your hedge trimmer. To start sharpening your hedge trimmer with a grinder, select an angle that is the same as the angle the blade is currently at. Hold the blade against the spinning wheel of the grinder. Move the blade along the grinder, making sure to go back and forth along the length of the blade. You can also use a grinder to sharpen blades on other garden tools.
Why It’s Important To Sharpen Your Tools?
It’s Safer
If you are using dull tools, then each cut is going to take longer and will be more difficult. This can lead to more mistakes and dangerous accidents. Sharp tools allow you to work more quickly and with more precision. This means your cuts will be cleaner, quicker, and safer for you and those around you. If you have a project that requires hundreds of cuts, it will be much quicker and safer if you have sharp tools instead of dull ones. This will reduce the risk of you making a mistake due to the fact that each cut will be cleaner and more precise. It can be extremely dangerous to use dull tools on a job site or in your shop. You may not think it makes a difference, but it can cause serious injuries with just a single slip. It is much harder to control dull tools, which leads to more accidents.
Your Tools Will Last Longer
Using a dull blade will cause more damage to wood than a clean and sharp blade will. Since the blade doesn’t go as deep, it doesn’t affect the fibers of the wood as much. As a result, the wood fibers won’t be cut through as much, which means they won’t break or splinter like they do when a blade is dull. Your tools will also last longer when they are sharp. This is especially true for saws and blades. Dull blades will cause the wood (and your workbench) to splinter and crack. This is also why it is dangerous to use dull blades. When you are sawing through a piece of wood, the blade needs to go deep enough to cut through the fibers. This will cause the wood to splinter and crack if the blade is dull. A clean and sharp blade will glide through the wood without affecting it as much.
It Helps Maintain Quality Tools
Sharp tools are less likely to break or bend because they have less pressure being applied to them. Dull tools are harder to use because you have to put more pressure behind them in order to get them to cut through the wood. This can lead to broken or bent blades, which can be very dangerous. The more you use your tools, the more likely they are to lose their sharpness. This can be because of the type of wood you are working with, or it could just be a result of the fact that they are used frequently. It is important that you keep your tools sharp so that they can do the job properly. New tools are expensive, so keeping the ones that you already have can save you money. You will be able to use them for as long as possible while also producing better results. Keeping your tools sharp is a great way to maintain their quality.
The Benefits Of A Self-Sharpening Blade
- No extra maintenance – As we mentioned before, blades are designed to last, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take care of them. A blade that hasn’t been taken care of properly can damage your material, as well as cause the tool to be less effective.
- Easy maintenance – Since the blade is designed to sharpen itself, all you have to do is make sure the housing is free of debris. If the housing is in good working order, there’s nothing else you need to do to ensure your blade is kept in good shape.
- Easy to use – All you need to do is turn on your trimmer and allow the blade to do its job. There’s no need to manually realign the blade or adjust anything else; just turn it on and let it do its thing.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned gardening expert or you’re just starting out, having the right gardening tools available will make your job much easier. Whether you’re using pruning shears or a hand rake, the right blade can make all the difference when it comes to effectiveness. While it’s important to clean and maintain your tools regularly, it’s also helpful to know how to sharpen an electric hedge trimmer. It’s a simple process that can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your tool, and you can do it yourself at home with minimal supplies.
