How to Sharpen a Tree Trimmer
A tree trimmer consists of a sickle-shaped blade on a long pole with an accompanying blade beneath it to form a scissor. The smaller blade is attached to a long rope and pulley that runs down the length of the pole. This smaller blade gets dull quickly with repeated use and should be sharpened every season. The larger blade does not normally need to be sharpened. Proper care of your tools will make your home and garden jobs easier as well as saving you the cost of replacing tools. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hand drill
- Electric sharpening bit 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch
- Workbench
- Light oil (cooking oil)
- Water
Instructions
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1
Secure your tree trimmer to your workbench. You want the blades to be hanging over the open air and the rope and pole to be out of the way during the sharpening process.
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2
Assemble your hand drill with your sharpening bit. If you have an adjustable speed drill, use a medium speed.
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3
Wet the sharpening bit with a light coat of water. This will prevent the blade or bit from heating up and warping.
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4
Sharpen the top face of your small blade using the hand drill with the sharpening bit. Hold the trimmer with your left hand and the drill with your right. The drill should be at a 30- to 45-degree angle.
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5
Continue until sharp. Do not heat up the blade as it will become brittle and break. Pay attention to metal burs that need to be removed.
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6
Wipe the blade and all moving parts with a light oil to lubricate and protect them.
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Tips & Warnings
If the blade begins to get hot or glow, stop immediately. Cool the blade and the bit with water and wait several minutes before continuing.
Do not use bit extenders for this project as they may cause the sharpening bit to fly off, damaging people or property. Be aware the blades are sharp. Do not sharpen both sides of the blade.
