A lot of the power tools and hand tools you use at your home have pieces that need to be sharpened to perform their best. These include tools you might use in a wood shop, for jobs around the house or for getting some important yard work done. Keeping your tools sharp is important, not just for the ease with which you can complete the job, but also for staying safe—dull tools can be dangerous to attempt to use.
Here’s a quick overview of how to sharpen tools in Monroe, LA:
- Chainsaws: Chainsaws are used for cutting through large pieces of wood. You might use them for chopping down trees on your property, or for cutting through firewood. While you can use a file to sharpen chainsaw teeth, that will take a really long time and is probably not worth your while. We recommend using special chainsaw sharpening kits that can get your chainsaw teeth sharpened once again within minutes. You simply place the proper diameter grinding stones from that kit into a Dremel tool and then go to work—you can find plenty of handy tutorials online.
- Chisels: Chisels are highly useful in woodworking. In this case, it is a little more reasonable to use a file to get your chisel sharpened, but you can also find special sharpening devices to quickly sharpen chisels and plane blades. The Work Sharp system is one that many craftsmen rely on.
- Axes: Axes come with varying blade bevels, so you’ll need to follow the lines of the original bevel while you sharpen them. If you discover any nicks or chips, you should grind them away before proceeding with the rest of your sharpening. You must be sure to sharpen the whole edge of the axe to preserve its shape. Use a sharpening stone for this process. It’s a good idea to have a bucket of water handy so you can douse the head after each pass.
- Shovels: Yes, even shovels need to be sharpened occasionally so you can more easily dig through the earth. Shovels should be sharpened with a file, though if there are nicks or chips, you’ll want to use a grinder to get the edge back into the proper shape. File along the blade of the shovel, going from each side to the center and moving in a single continuous motion to ensure a good edge. Aim for a 45-degree angle. Any resulting burs should disappear when you start digging.
- Spade bits: Spade bits are very handy tools to have in your collection, as they’re great for drilling rough holes through materials. However, they can quickly take a lot of abuse. To sharpen it, clamp the bit in a vise and file along the cutting edges, keeping the existing angle. You should use a tapered triangular file for this process.
For more information and tips about tool sharpening in Monroe, LA to help you keep all of your tools in high-quality and safe operating condition, contact the team at Ram Rent-All, Inc. today.