How can you tell if your hedge trimmer blades needs sharpening?

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Is your hedge trimmer no longer cutting as effective as once before. This is not uncommon in hedge trimmers, It is possible there are different issues but the most common problem often the blades just need sharpening.

Signs that your blades need sharpening

1. Branches are getting jammed in your trimmer

If you are beginning to notice that branches have a tendency to get stuck between the teeth while trimming, blocking the tool without being cut, suggesting that both the lower and upper blades of the hedge trimmer need sharpening. This occurs due to the spacers that are between the blades wear overtime causing them to become less efficient.

2. Branches aren't giving a clean cut

If your hedge trimmer whether it is petrol or electric leaves behind an uneven or dull edge as it cuts, this implies that your blades need sharpening.

What you will need to sharpen your blades!

• Flat file
• Whetstone
• Soft cloth
• Water
• Resin solvent
• Safety clothing
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses or face protection

Steps to sharpening your hedge cutter blades

Step 1. Clean the blade with water and a soft cloth to remove any excess resin that may have built up overtime through your cutting.

Step 2. Use a flat file to sharpen your blades

Always file towards the cutting edge. The flat file is designed to work only when applied in one direction, and this method ensures a perfectly sharp blade.

Note: When using your file is to always to file towards the cutting edge. The flat file is designed to work when applied in a single direction, this method ensures a perfectly sharp blade.

The file works best on the forward stroke, thus, should be lifted from the surface when your bringing it back. Refrain from using a forward and back sawing motion as this may blunt the cutting edge again.

Be careful not to remove too much material when sharpening. The abrasion limit is 5mm, therefore, if you file more than this it will cause the strength of the material to become compromised, making your hedge trimmer unusable.

Use the same number of file strokes for each cutting edge, so that all blades are the same length at the end.

The same number of file strokes should be used for each blade to ensure they are all the same length.

Step 3. Burrs removal using a Whetstone (optional)

Use the whetstone to smooth any burrs that have developed on the bottom of the blades due to filing.

When doing this procedure, lightly moisten the blade and turn it on its back. Use the whetstone along each blade in a swipe motion. Swiping in the direction of the tip and smoothing the rough surface as you go

Step 4. Aftercare

First remove any grinding dust generated in the previous steps. The process of filing will have removed the corrosion protection that was previously on the blades, so you next need to spray the cutting apparatus with STIHL resin solvent. This will ensure that the machine continues to function perfectly and that it will serve you well for a long time to come

This is the easy part of the process. Firstly, remove any excess dust that may have built up from the previous steps. Next you will nee dto spray the blades with your resin. This restores corrosion protection and ensures your hedge trimmer will function with smooth efficiency for a long period.

Safety Precautions

Wear goggle's, strong gloves and robust material to protect yourself. Additionally ensure your hedge trimmer cannot accidentally start up while performing these tasks.