Hedge trimmers are an essential part of any garden grooming kit. They provide an easy way for you to trim the hedges in your yard or garden without breaking a sweat. However, if you use them long enough, like any instrument, they will begin to blunt. And because of that, you will have to sharpen them. This is a continuous process that will occur throughout your time with them, so you’d better find the best way.
There are a lot of methods that you can use to sharpen hedge trimmers. However, one is better than all the others. And that’s sharpening them with a Dremel.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It helps pay for web hosting. Thank you! Read my disclosure for more info.
If you garden regularly, you’ll know what a Dremel is. It’s basically a miniaturized Power Grinder. It allows you to sharpen tools and to drill. However, here only the former option is relevant. The Dremel rotates a metal disc that you can use to sharpen any tool.
The Dremel can allow you to make quick work of the hedge trimmers without any safety issues. It doesn’t give off any sparks, doesn’t pose a major physical threat to your body, and can be totally controlled. The small disc gives you a level of precise movement and smoothness not afforded by any other tool. This level of control and speed is why it’s the best option to sharpen hedge trimmers.
Of course, this will be a process that you get better at as time goes on. However, if you’re not too sure about how to proceed, here are some tips.
You can sharpen your hedge trimmers with a lot of different instruments like a mill file or a power grinder.
This is why the Dremel is considered a much safer option, even if it is a little slower.
Now that you know why choosing Dremel is your best option, find out if your Hedge Trimmers need sharpening. There are a lot of ways you can tell. For example, you can look at the blades of the hedge trimmer and assess that they’re blunt. You can also notice that the cuts on the branches are becoming uneven. That’s usually a good sign that you need to sharpen your hedge trimmers.
You can also look at your hedge trimmer after a day’s work to see if there are branches trapped between the blades. Twigs can get stuck between the blades and detach them from each other. That can usually block the blades from cutting any branches or trees.
If any of these things happen in the first place, you’ve overused your trimmer without sharpening it. You need to make a habit out of this. When your hedge trimmer needs sharpening can depend on how much you use it.
If you’re a regular user, then you need to find out the interval length between sharpening days. If you determine that length, setting reminders for sharpening your hedge trimmers will become easier. Also, you won’t be caught off guard on a day that you really need the trimmer to be sharp.
Using hedge trimmers on particularly hard wood or near fences or any sort of metal structure can damage it. If you’re trimming near a hard structure, judge the distance from it before you start. This reduces the chances of clashing against it while you work.