Yard-Tool Revival - Handyman Club of America

SKILLS
Yard-Tool Revival
Shape up your dull diggers and snippers
with these simple sharpening strategies
BY JENNY STANLEY
Still can’t part with that rusty old shovel
you’ve had since 1970? Or how about that
hand-me-down garden trowel that’s more like a
workout aid than a planting tool? And let’s not
forget those squeaky shears that give you blisters.
The good news is you don’t have to get rid of
those crusty-but-trusty tools: You can
restore them to their former glory with the
following tried-and-true sharpening tactics.
Presharpening prep
First you must get rid of dirt, grime and rust on
the surface of tools before you can do any
sharpening. Steel wool works great for this
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT JACOBSON

1
SHEAR SHARPENING
BY THE NUMBERS
1. Scour the blade surface.
2. Mark the beveled edges; follow the
manufacturer’s original angle, so the
shears continue to work properly. The
marks will disappear as you sharpen.
3. Disassemble the shears. Starting at
a high point on the blade, press a
honing stone down and away from
you along the beveled edge. Continue
in this motion until you’ve achieved the
desired sharpness. Apply a few drops
of mineral oil for lubrication and
quicker results.
2 3
The bevel on most diggers can be
found along the back edge. To allow a
longer filing motion, use scrap wood to
prop up the tool you are sharpening.
step. If you don’t have any on hand,
try using a wadded piece of aluminum
foil, a wire brush or a rotary
tool with a wire-bristle attachment.
Use a solvent to remove any lingering
traces of rust.
Don’t forget about safety gear.
Sparks can fly when you’re grinding
metal, so wear eye and ear protection
and flame-resistant clothing. Note
that gloves are not recommended
when using rotary tools or grinding
wheels because they can get caught
in the fast-moving parts.
File away
Most single-bevel outdoor hand
tools, such as classic and border
shovels, trowels, spades, etc., can be
sharpened with a flat bastard-cut
mill file. (You can find this standard
file at most hardware stores.)
Start by securing the tool to the
work surface using clamps or a vise;
the edge to be sharpened should be
facing up. Press the file down and
away from you along the digging
edge in one steady motion. Use both
hands on the file to help maintain a
consistent angle (top photo, opposite).
Pick up the file and continue
sharpening in this same direction
until a clean metal edge appears
along the entire bevel. To prevent
the file from clogging, dip it in water
frequently. This will also help to cool
and lubricate the tool you are sharpening.
Gently sand off any burrs
Rotary-tool bits quickly grind metal
edges sharp. Remember to hold the
rotary tool steady as you sharpen to
get a consistent bevel angle across
the edge.
using medium-grit sandpaper.
For tools that work best with
finely sharpened blades (pruners,
shears, etc.), a honing stone or
diamond sharpener will help you
achieve more acute angles (see
“Shear Sharpening by the Numbers,”
opposite).
High-speed honing
Rotary tools, electric-drill attachments
and bench grinders are speedier
alternatives for sharpening out-
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When using a grinding wheel, the more pressure you apply, the faster you sharpen.
Check your progress after each pass to avoid overshaping.
PRESERVE AND PROTECT
After shaving years of wear and tear off of your favorite outdoor hand
tools, keep them shipshape with these additional maintenance tips:
• Clean tools after each use.
• Lubricate all moving parts and beveled edges before storing.
• Sand wood handles smooth and apply one or two coats of
weather-resistant finish; replace broken handles.
• Store your tools indoors and in a dry area.
door hand tools. However, if you
choose to use any of these highspeed
options, be careful to avoid
overshaping or overheating, which
can ultimately weaken metal tools.
Most rotary tools have accessories
designed specifically for cleaning,
shaping, sharpening and deburring
metal. Be sure to select one that will
give you the most control when
working with each tool. Once you’ve
selected the appropriate accessory,
clamp the tool you are sharpening to
a work surface, turn on the rotary
tool and gently guide it along the
bevel (bottom photo, p. 43). When a
clean metal edge appears and you’re
satisfied with its sharpness, remove
the burrs and you’re done. Follow
this same process if you’re sharpening
with an electric-drill attachment.
A high-speed grinding wheel
(photo, above) is useful for sharpening
your most distressed outdoor
hand tools, as it quickly reshapes
dull and damaged edges. However,
since it is stationary, it does require
a little more skill to hold the tool
you are sharpening at a consistent
angle. Also, water must be applied
frequently at the point of friction to
avoid overheating.
Whether you choose to hone
your trusty outdoor tools using hand
files, stones, rotary tools or highspeed
grinders, you’ll surely keep
them looking (and working) sharp
for many years to come. u
SOURCES ONLINE
For online information, go to
www.HandymanClub.com
and click on WEB EXTRAS.
Cooper Hand Tools
(Nicholson files), (919) 362-1670
Dremel
800-437-3635
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