If you love keeping well-trimmed shrubs and bushes that give your garden that landscaped look, you’ll need a hedge trimmer with a sharp blade.
There are different methods you can use to sharpen your hedge trimmer blade including using a mill file that you sharpen by hand, a Dremel tool sharpener, or a faster power grinder. Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to first align both the upper and lower blades so they’re properly aligned with each other so you can easily get your file between each notch.
Aligning the blades
Wear heavy-duty gloves and safety glasses, then align the blades by pressing them together with your fingers.
Use an object like a screwdriver and use it as a pry bar by putting it between the blades. The screwdriver handle will act as a wedge to help prevent you from damaging the blades and to keep them aligned.
Methods
Using a mill file
The simplest but most time-consuming method.
- First, start by wearing thick protective gloves.
- Remove the bolts that hold the blades, then place the hedge trimmer on a stable, flat surface and clamp them into a bench vice.
- Run the file down each cutting edge making sure to only stroke in one direction. Once you finish with one side, turn the blade so you can file the other side. Repeat the same process with every side of a single tooth until you’ve sharpened all sides.
- Clean the blades using a wet cloth.
Using a power grinder
This method is more time-efficient but requires protective gear, more skill, and care.
- Put on protective gear including gloves, safety glasses, and earmuffs.
- Use a C-clamp to clamp the hedge trimmer to keep it stable, then use an angle grinder, a die grinder, or rotary tool if you cant access an angle grinder.
- Turn on the power grinder and run the grinder over the edge 2-3 times applying very little pressure to sharpen the top side, then flip it over, clamp it and sharpen the other side.
- Once you’re done sharpening both sides, clean the blades.
Using a Dremel rotary tool
This tool has an attachment specifically designed for sharpening outdoor tools.
- Make sure you clean your hedge cleaner before sharpening, then prepare the Dremel tool.
- Wear protective gear to protect yourself from the sparks of light and grinding noise that can damage your eyes and ears. Sharpen during the day so you can see clearly.
- Use a bench vice to secure the blades and a clamp that will hold the blades securely.
- Turn on the Dremel tool and move it slowly over the blades using short strokes and applying light pressure.
- Repeat the process on both sides of the blades.
- Clean the blades.
Conclusion
Hedge trimmers can be useless if their blades aren’t sharpened properly. The 3 methods will help you to sharpen the blades, but the power grinder and Dremel tool are more time-efficient, but they need more experienced users.
FAQ
Should you lubricate hedge trimmers?
Yes, lubricating hedge trimmers will decrease the friction between the blades and prevent excess heat from bending the blades.
How frequently should you sharpen hedge trimmer blades?
You should sharpen the blades regularly, at least after every 50 hours of use. You might not want to keep track of the hours, so you’ll know when to sharpen by how the blades are cutting.