As with all tools, a dull or inefficient electric hedge trimmer would hardly give you the result you seek. Efficiency is greatly reduced while the work isn’t up to the required standard.
The best way to prevent this is by having your electric hedge trimmers sharpened.
How does one go about this process? That’s the reason this article is written; to show you how to sharpen an electric hedge trimmer the right way. If there’s a right way, there’s a wrong way to go about the process too.
Following the latter will only be frustrating and won’t give you the right result.
Why Your Hedge Trimmer Needs Sharpening
Sharpening an electric hedge trimmer is only necessary when there’s a need for it. Such need arises from issues with effective trimming. You’ve used this equipment before and know how efficient it is.
Anything less than this is a clear sign that you need to sharpen its teeth or blades.
The two most common signs that you need to sharpen an electric hedge trimmer include not having clean cuts on branches. The other involves a jamming trimmer. So what do these conditions actually mean?
Let’s take a look at each of these signs.
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Not Having Clean Cuts
When trimming a hedge, sharp electric trimmers would easily slice through branches with no difficulty. However, as the blade edges become increasingly dull with use, such cuts aren’t as clean.
In other words, your hedge edges become frayed or you get uneven cuts.
This is a clear sign to get your trimmer back to full functionality by sharpening it. You only need to read on to find the “how of sharpening your electric hedge trimmer.
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Jamming Trimmer
If you’ve been using your trimmer without issues, it will be unusual to start having branches getting jammed in the trimmer. If this is your situation, then your electric hedge trimmer requires sharpening.
Sharpening will eliminate issues regarding branches jamming in the trimmer.
Tools Needed For Electric Hedge Trimmer Sharpening
If you’ll be taking your electric hedge trimmer to a technician for sharpening, then you won’t need this information.
However, performing the task yourself requires having all the basic tools. Basic tools needed to sharpen an electric hedge trimmer include a whetstone, a flat-file, and safety clothing.
Others include face protective gear or safety goggles, soft cloth, a pair of work gloves, and water.
Sharpening Frequency
You must have an idea of the sharpening frequency for an electric hedge trimmer.
In other words, you’ll need to know the ideal maintenance frequency to adopt. For most people, sharpening will be necessary when the blades become dull. But that isn’t the right way to do this.
An electric hedge trimmer needs to be sharpened at least with every 50 hours of use. Never wait until the blade becomes dull as this will deteriorate the trimmer’s condition fast.
With regular maintenance, you get to considerably extend its lifespan.
Safety
Safety is paramount and should be strictly adhered to when sharpening your electric hedge trimmer. Basic protective gear includes a pair of gloves made from durable materials, as well as safety glasses.
You should ensure you have a firm grip on your work tools as slipping may result in injuries.
Steps For Sharpening An Electric Hedge Trimmer
To sharpen an electric hedge trimmer effectively, you’ll need to follow 4 steps. These include the preparation stage, the sharpening process, getting rid of burrs, and post sharpening care.
Let’s briefly discuss each of these points as follows;
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Preparation Stage
Before you begin to sharpen your electric hedge trimmer, you’ll need to first start with cleaning. A close inspection of your trimmer blades will show plant sap as well as resin accumulation.
This is where your soft cloth comes into play. Follow each blade and clean off these deposits or accumulation. This cleaning process precedes the sharpening properly.
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Sharpening Process
Sharpening an electric hedge trimmer is the main focus of our discussion. The process isn’t complicated at all! Put on your gloves and get a flat-file to commence sharpening. When filing, it must be done towards the cutting edge.
For a perfect job, you’ll need to keep your file at the right sharpening angle. What’s the recommended sharpening angle? All such information is made available in the “Technical Data” section of the operating manual of your equipment.
What more? All files work in a definite pattern. They’ll need to be lifted after the forward stroke to repeat the process until the desired result is obtained.
In other words, you’ll need to avoid a forward and backward movement of the file. This action will only defeat the purpose as it blunts your hedge trimmer blade.
Remember!
The limit of the ideal limit of abrasion is 5 mm. Anything more than this will only result in damage to your blades. You want to keep using your electric hedge trimmer for as long as it lasts.
One way to ensure you maintain a uniform file on electric hedge trimmer blades is to carry out the same number of strokes. Forward strokes sharpen the blade. So, each blade should have the same number of forwarding strokes.
One of the ways to avoid damaging your electric hedge trimmer during sharpening is by keeping off cut protection areas. These areas are made of metal and plastics. Only the blades need to be sharpened.
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Getting Rid of Burrs
Burrs result from every sharpening action. This is where your whetstone comes into play. This is a smoothening tool that’s used to remove any burrs left behind from sharpening.
To do this, you’ll need to turn over your electric hedge trimmer.
The backs of the blades are the target. A light swiping action is taken while drawing the whetstone towards the blade tip. This helps smoothen the rough surface.
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Post-Sharpening Care
After every sharpening job, the corrosion protection applied to electric hedge trimmer blades is eroded. Reapplication is needed. An appropriate resin solvent is applied to help with smooth functioning.
These are clear ways that show you how to sharpen electric hedge trimmers.
We’ve provided a list of items needed, as well as safety precautions to adopt.