When you first bring home a brand new hedge trimmer, it feels like a magical device that cuts through almost anything. After all, when you first get your new piece of equipment, it has super-sharp blades and can cut through almost anything. However, after using it for a while, the blades begin to lose their edge and become duller and less effective at cutting. To continue getting the same results from your hedge trimmer, you need to sharpen its blade. Luckily, sharpening a hedge trimmer is not an overly complex process that requires special tools or knowledge.
How To Sharpen Hedge Trimmer Blade?
1. Clean the blades
Before you begin to sharpen your hedge trimmer, it’s a good idea to clean the blades off. This will make it easier for you to see any dirt and debris that may be on the blades.
Plastic blade guards must also be removed before you can sharpen the blade. If they are still attached, they will get in the way and prevent you from seeing what you are doing properly. Once you have cleaned both sides of the blades, move on to step 2.
2. Sharpen using a metal file
If your hedge trimmer has plastic blade guards (like those on most models), simply remove them before using a metal file to sharpen the blades. You can use any type of metal file that is suitable for this purpose, including a knife sharpening stone, which is especially helpful if your hedge trimmer has curved blades. Metal files are available at most hardware stores or online retailers like Amazon .com.
3. Sharpen using an electric sharpener
If your hedge trimmer does not have plastic blade guards, then an electric sharpener is probably available at your local home improvement store or online retailer. Most electric sharpeners have several different stages that allow you to adjust how much pressure is applied to each stage so that you can achieve different degrees of sharpness for different types of cuttings and materials. Electric sharpeners are also very easy to use – just plug them in and place them over the blades.
4. Sharpen using a knife sharpener
If you do not have an electric sharpener or if you prefer to use a knife sharpener, the process is the same as that of an electric sharpener – just place the blade over the blade and turn it until you achieve your desired degree of sharpness. For best results, it’s recommended that you use a sharpening stone, which is especially helpful if your hedge trimmer has curved blades. They are available at most hardware stores and online retailers like Amazon .com.
5. Test to make sure it’s done correctly
Once you have finished with all of these steps, check to see whether or not your blades are now as effective at cutting as they were when you first purchased them. This can be done by seeing how easily they cut through different types of materials (like twigs and branches). If the blades aren’t cutting very well, then repeat steps 1-4 until they are back to their original state. If your blades still don’t cut as well as they did when you first bought them, then it’s time to go back to step 2 and sharpen them again using a metal file or an electric sharpener. It’s important to keep in mind that you should never use a metal file on your blades if the safety guards are still attached because the metal file could damage your blades.
6. If your blades are still not cutting as well as they used to, then it’s time for professional help
If your blades are still not cutting as well as they used to, then it is time for you to contact a professional hedge trimmer sharpener. They can be found in most areas of the country and will be able to help you fix any problems that your blades might have. They will also be able to advise you on the best way to care for your blades and how to keep them in the best condition possible so that they will continue to cut well.
What You’ll Need To Sharpen A Hedge Trimmer Blade
1. A metal file or an electric sharpener
The first thing you’ll need to sharpen a hedge trimmer blade is a metal file or an electric sharpener. There are different types of sharpening files available and they all work the same way. You just place the blade over the file or sharpener, turn it until you achieve your desired degree of sharpness, and then remove it from the stone. The best type of sharpener to use for this job is actually an electric sharpener. They are very easy to use and can be found in most hardware stores and online retailers like Amazon .com.
2. A stone (optional)
If you’d like to have a more polished look when your blades are finished being sharpened, then you may want to consider using a stone instead of using a metal file or an electric sharpener. Stones can be used for grinding, polishing, flattening, and buffing purposes – so they are definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a more professional look when they’re finished being sharpened. As long as your stones aren’t too big or thick, they should work just fine as long as they have a flat surface that will allow them to fit over your blades. If you prefer not to use stones at all, then feel free to skip this step altogether because there’s no need for one if you don’t want to use one.
3. Safety guards (optional)
If your blades include safety guards on them that are designed to protect the user from being injured, then you’ll need to remove these guards before you sharpen them. After they’re sharpened, they should fit back onto your blades without any problems. If your blades do not include safety guards on them then it’s best to remove them before you sharpen them because they can interfere with the sharpening process and cause your blades to become duller than they should be.
4. A washable rag (optional)
If you want to keep the stone that you used for sharpening your blades clean, then it’s best to use a washable rag when you’re finished using it. This will make cleaning up after your job easier and will also keep the stone cleaner than if it was left out in the open where it could get dirty or contaminated by other materials that may get into contact with it during other activities like gardening or home improvement projects.
Tips For Maintaining Your Equipment
1. Keep all sharpening tools out of the reach of children and pets.
There are many different types of sharpening tools available and a lot of them are not suitable for use by children or pets. If you have small children in your home, then it’s best to keep the sharpening tools out of their reach because they could choke on one or accidentally swallow one if they’re not careful. The same is true for pets – if you have any animals in your home, then it’s best to keep all sharpening tools out of their reach as well so that they don’t accidentally swallow one or cut themselves on one and cause injury.
2. Store all sharpening tools away from heat and humidity.
If you live in a warm climate like Florida or California, then storing your tools away from heat and humidity will help to prolong the life of your equipment because prolonged exposure to these conditions can cause the metal used in these devices to corrode faster than it normally would under normal circumstances. As long as you store them somewhere that doesn’t get too hot or humid, then this should be enough to make sure that they last as long as possible without getting damaged by these conditions.
Conclusion
Your hedge trimmer is a great tool if you want to maintain a beautiful yard without a lot of effort. You can use it for a variety of tasks like edging your lawn, trimming bushes, and even cutting down small trees. It’s important to keep your hedge trimmer blades sharp, though. You can do this by removing the blades from the trimmer and using a file to sharpen them. You can also clean the blades and maintain the rest of the trimmer to help it last longer.
