Do your branches need a clean cut from your Stihl hedge trimmer? Or are you looking for a do-it-yourself guide to Re-sharpen Stihl hedge trimmer blades? If so, you have landed on the right page.
Hedge trimmers need to be sharpened regularly as they become blunt with use. But who wants to pay to have it done when you can do it yourself? Fortunately, sharpening a hedge trimmer is not a complicated task. Scroll down to learn an easy and effective way of sharpening a Stihl hedge trimmer.
Indicators that Your Hedge Trimmer Needs to be Re-Sharpened
No matter the type of hedge trimmer you have, it is recommended to resharpen it before it shows obvious signs of bluntness. Be it electric, battery-powered, or a gas hedge trimmer, they all need regular maintenance and resharpening to remain effective. These are the signs that you should sharpen your hedge trimmer blades:
- It is time to sharpen your hedge trimmer blades if you notice that branches are repeatedly jamming them. This indicates that a hedge trimmer’s lower and upper blades are dull, and they are not meeting to cut the branches.
- A sharp hedge trimmer cuts the branches precisely, and they give a neat look. If your branches give an uneven and frayed look after the cut, it indicates you need to sharpen Stihl hedge trimmer blades.
Tools Required to Resharpen your Stihl Hedge Trimmer
Once you have noticed that your hedge trimmer needs sharpening, you can also take it to a dealer to have the blades sharpened. Otherwise, it can also be an interesting DIY project. The tools required for this are:
- Flat file
- Washcloth
- Water
- Work gloves
- Stihl resin solvent
- Whetstone
- Safety glasses
- And face protector masks
Consider Taking Taking Safety Precautions Before Sharpening your Hedge Trimmer
It is necessary to think of all the ways to protect yourself from harm during the process. Make sure you have taken all the following preventive measures:
- Consider sharpening your hedge trimmer blades on a leveled surface like a wood table to avoid any chances of slipping.
- Even if you believe your hedge trimmer’s blades are not as sharp, they can still cause injury to your fingers. Take your safety gear and wear safety glasses and protective gloves to ensure a safe process.
- Unplug the trimmer and remove the battery to avoid accidental startup.
- Consider standing still and sharpening the hedge trimmer on a solid surface for convenience and safety.
Five Easy Steps to Sharpen Stihl Hedge Trimmer Blades
Here are the steps you need to follow to sharpen your hedge trimmer blades
Step 1: Clean the Blades of Your Hedge Trimmer
Before sharpening with a flat file, you should clean the teeth of your Stihl hedge trimmer. During regular use, the resins and sap usually accumulate on the blades and reduce their sharpness.
Cleaning the blades with a wet cloth or simply washing and wiping them will help them sharpen more effectively. You can also clean the blades of your Stihl hedge trimmer with soap and water if they are too dirty. But remember to dry the blades before jumping to the next step.
Step 2: Align the Upper and Lower Blades of your Hedge Trimmer
Branches stuck in the blades of your hedge trimmer during use affect their alignment. To align them properly, place your Stihl hedge trimmer on a flat surface and gently press the upper and lower blades to bring them closer.
If your hedge trimmer’s blades need to be more aligned, take it to a dealer, who will align them according to the model and manufacturing of your trimmer.
Step 3: Use a Flat File to Sharpen Hedge Trimmer Blades
Follow these easy steps to use a flat-file properly to sharpen Stihl hedge trimmer blades:
- Flat files are designed in a particular way. They only work effectively when used in one direction. If this is your first time using a flat file, consider learning how to use it for better results.
- To use a flat-file according to its specific angle, always read the instructions on the package.
- Use a flat file in the direction of the cutting edges of your hedge trimmer’s blades to make them sharper.
- Avoid sawing the surface of your blades with your file in a back-and-forth motion, as this can cause your blades to become blunt again.
- Usually, a flat file is most effective in forwarding strokes. So lift your flat file from the surface when your move your hand backward.
- Only file a little! The abrasion limit of your file should be at most 5mm. If you continue to use the file beyond the recommended limit, you risk damaging your blades and rendering your hedge trimmer useless.
- Remember how many strokes you used on each blade and apply the same number to all others to give them the same sharp length and shape.
- You should only use the flat file on the cutting edges of the blades on your hedge trimmer. Refrain from applying strokes on the integrated parts of your Stihl hedge trimmer.
Step 4: Use Whetstone for a Smooth Finish
Use a whetstone to smooth out the finish on your hedge trimmer and eliminate any burrs that formed from filing. Turn over the hedge trimmer to have a clear view of the other side of the blades. Now carefully draw a whetstone in slow motion on each blade in the direction of the edge. Smooth the rough surface of the blades and give them a sharp finish.
Wearing safety gloves during this process is mandatory to avoid injuring your hands with sharp blades.
Step 5: Post Care after Sharpening of Blades
Well done! You have almost finished the job. Your freshly sharpened Stihl hedge trimmer needs a little post-care in this step.
Remove any grinding dust that has accumulated during the filing process. It is understood that the filing process removed the corrosion protection from your hedge trimmer’s blades. Spray STIHL resin solvent or any other alternative to protect your hedge trimmer from corrosion to prolong the life span of your hedge trimmer.
Takeaway
It is recommended that you sharpen your Siehl hedge trimmer after every 50 hours of use to keep it in good working condition. I hope my blog helped you through the process and covered all the specifics of sharpening a hedge trimmer.
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