Routine Maintenance for power tools.

[Marc Cole]

Hello All,Looking for some advice really. I've just dropped my headge trimmer in for a service and was kindly informed that the blade sharpening service will be an additional £30+. Does anyone know what tools to use and what is the best way to go about sharpening the trimmer blade or rotary blade on a mower.I must I was horrified at the price as the old chap who had the shop previously didn't charge for the sharpening because I was in so often.Any techniques/advice will be greatly received.

[Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt]

Sounds a bit steep considering you're a regular! I'd try getting chatty with him when you in next and you've nothing much else to do. That way he'll maybe go a bit easier on you and realise you'll maybe give you good repeat custom... but not with those charges!!

[steve loftus]

to be honest,i would be a bit miffed,as 2 stroke engines are pretty low maintenance anyway,the sharpen of the blade is a definite inclusive.service should be,plug/filters/sharpen/tune-up/grease gearbox/oil blade/clean.
i use an angle grinder on the mowers,however,be warned.if you grind to much off either side,you will get an un-balanced blade,lots of vibes.little and often i say.
hedge cutter, i take the blades out ,vice them up,a good file should do it, ive used a grinder before now,just 2 very quick zips per edge,dont forget to file off any burrs on the back face.
maybe you could try a dremmel tool

[Nick Steele]

We use a bench grinder for our rotary mower blades, but note Steve's comments about balance - you have to sharpen both edges evenly ! We hire rather than own hedge trimmers so I've never sharpened these, but I'm guessing a few strokes with a fine flat file on each tooth would do it pretty promptly.

[Phil Voice]

A small tip for getting the balancing right is to bang a nail into the wall and hang the blade so that the nail is through the centre hole.

Hold the blade horizontal at the quarter to three position and let go. If the blade falls to one side then you know that this is heavier and needs a little grind off (just take it easy though).

This is one of the more popular post on Landscape Juice - How to balance your rotary lawn mower blade when sharpening

[Classic Gardens]

At our local shop they charge £3 to sharpen blades we have two sets of blades one that is in use and one shapened that is left at the shop so we arnt left waiting.

How often do people sharpen as a rule of thumb we do it one every month.

[Marc Cole]

Thanks very much gents. I must say I ended up sharpening the blades myself. I did try to remove the blades from the housing but they didn't want to separate easily so I left them.

[Mark]

During this cold snap i've just taken the opportunity to service my hedge trimmer, I found I would have to remove the blades to do a good job, remove all the blade nuts & bolts turn the trimmer up side down and remove the bottom of the gear box, you can then gain access to the con rods and lift the blades off, I then G clamped each blade to a flat steady surface and filed it sharp on all three flats of each cutter, turn the blade around about half way to stop the long end flapping whilst you file, with files use a good one, if in doubt buy a new one they are as cheap as chips. I used a fine stone on the under side to remove any burrs and a quick brush off with a brass brush to finish off, clean, oil reinstall with fresh Lithium based bearing grease in the gear box and machine oil on the blades, the blade bolts need to be done up hand tight then backed off half a turn before nipping up.

The whole service including new plug, air filter clean & a thorough clean up (including a new file) £5.50 ;-)

Oh and my time...

[Lawncare-4u.co.uk]

i paid £18 inc cash for an hour 4sides on eachx 18''? blade stihl.

rip- off ..vat ooouch. grinder for mower blade. take blade off and put in vice !!

file for hedgecutters i think, although not done either yet myself . my guy has 20+yrs experience.

shop around ask oddd folk if got time who ' tinker' and welcome £20 cash ( a lot of money)
:-( Hard times)........buy new blades on e-bay i seen for 40£

[Lara Warner]

We used a dremel - easier to get the balance right. Otherwise in these lean times get chatting to your local tool hire shop as more often than not a cash rate can be negotiated if you know what I mean ;)

Robin Ainsworth said:

i paid £18 inc cash for an hour 4sides on eachx 18''? blade stihl.

rip- off ..vat ooouch. grinder for mower blade. take blade off and put in vice !!

file for hedgecutters i think, although not done either yet myself . my guy has 20+yrs experience.

shop around ask oddd folk if got time who ' tinker' and welcome £20 cash ( a lot of money)
:-( Hard times)........buy new blades on e-bay i seen for 40£