Contents
Keep your hedges looking sharp with this guide on how to sharpen your hedge trimmer.
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Introduction
If your hedge trimmer blades are not cut cleanly or if they are beginning to tear the branches instead of cutting them, it is time to sharpen them. You can either take them to a shop that specializes in power tool sharpening or you can sharpen them yourself. This guide will show you how to sharpen your hedge trimmer blades at home.
Tools and Materials Needed:
-Hedge trimmer
-File
-Pencil
-Ruler or tape measure
What You Will Need
-An electric or battery-operated sharpener
-A workbench or other sturdy surface on which to work
-Eye protection
If your trimmer uses disposable blades, you will also need:
-A new set of blades
-A Phillips head screwdriver
-A flathead screwdriver
Preparing the Hedge Trimmer
To get your hedge trimmer ready for sharpening, you’ll need to clean it and remove any rust that has built up on the blades. You can do this with a wire brush or sandpaper. If the blades are very rusty, you may need to use a power drill with a wire brush attachment to remove all of the rust. Once the blades are clean and free of rust, you’re ready to start sharpening them.
Sharpening the Blades
It’s important to keep the blades of your hedge trimmer sharp so that they can make clean, precise cuts. A dull blade will tear at the branches of your hedges, resulting in ragged, unhealthy growth. Fortunately, it’s easy to sharpen the blades on your hedge trimmer at home with a few simple tools.
First, lay out a tarp or an old sheet to protect your work surface from metal filings. Then, remove the blades from the trimmer body and clamp them in a vise or similar device so that they are secure.
Next, use a file or grinding stone to sharpen the blades. Work slowly and evenly until you have restored a sharp edge all along the length of the blade. Finally, wipe away any metal filings and reattach the blades to the trimmer body.
Maintaining the Hedge Trimmer
Maintaining the Hedge Trimmer
Like any cutting tool, a hedge trimmer’s blades will eventually become dull. Depending on how often you use your trimmer and what type of vegetation you’re cutting, you may need to sharpen the blades once or twice a season.
Fortunately, it’s easy to sharpen hedge trimmer blades yourself, as long as you have the right tools and supplies. Follow these steps to get the job done quickly and easily.
1. Prepare your work area. Clear a sturdy work surface and make sure you have plenty of light so you can see what you’re doing. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp blades.
2. Remove the blade guard. Most hedge trimmers have a blade guard that covers the sharp edges of the blades. Be sure to remove this before you start sharpening.
3. Use a file or stone to sharpen the blades. If your trimmer has double-sided blades, you can sharpen both sides at once by holding the file or stone perpendicular to the blade and moving it from one side to the other in a back-and-forth motion. If your trimmer has only one blade, sharpen it using the same method, but be careful not to damage the other side of the blade by accident.
-Use a diamond file or honing stone for best results. These tools will stay sharper longer than traditional files and stones, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
-If you don’t have a honing stone or diamond file, you can use a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a block of wood or another hard surface. Just be sure to use a very fine grit sandpaper so you don’t damage the blade.
4 Test the blade before reassembling the trimmer. Once you’ve finished sharpening, test the blade by running it along a piece of paper or cloth. If it cuts cleanly without tearing, then it’s ready to go back on your trimmer
Conclusion
We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you how to sharpen your hedge trimmer. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model and keep an eye on the condition of your blades to make sure they are always in peak condition. With a little care and attention, your hedge trimmer will provide years of service.
