Sharpen Lawn Tools Tips on Bench Grinder - Pruner, Shears, Ax, by Mr. Hardware on YouTube. 6 min 21 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 21 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes per tool
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Look along the edge and note the original bevel angle and any nicks. Follow that bevel so you remove metal evenly, not just at the damaged spot.
Fit a 6-inch or 8-inch 60-grit aluminum oxide wheel with a medium hardness rating. Unplug the grinder before changing the wheel and check the wheel for cracks.
Fill a shallow container with water and place it beside the grinder. Wear safety glasses and keep the water away from the motor and power cord.
Start the grinder and let it reach full speed. Hold the blade at the original bevel angle and touch it lightly to the wheel.
Grind a little at a time and move the blade steadily across the wheel. Do not hold it in one spot or press hard.
Dip the blade in water when it feels warm, then dry it before the next pass. Stop if the steel turns straw colored, because the temper may be lost.
For an axe or hatchet, keep the edge centered on the blade and grind the whole edge. Work both sides evenly to preserve the blade shape.
Finish with a file or sharpening stone to remove the burr and refine the edge. Filing creates little heat, so it is safer for the temper.
Tips and common mistakes
Use the grinder only for heavy nicks or a badly worn blade; a file is enough for routine touch-ups.
Never let a blade turn blue or straw colored on the wheel, as that means the steel has lost hardness.
Keep the water container clear of the grinder motor and cord, and unplug the tool before any wheel change.
Questions
How do I know if I have overheated the blade?
If the steel turns straw colored, blue or purple, it got too hot and the hardness may be damaged. Dip it in water and grind in shorter passes next time.
Can I use a file instead of a bench grinder?
Yes. A file works well for light touch-ups and small nicks because it produces very little heat. Use the grinder for heavy damage or a badly worn blade.
Should I sharpen both sides of a pruner blade?
Follow the existing bevel. Many pruners have a single bevel, so sharpen that side and only lightly remove the burr on the flat side.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
