“Give me 6 hours to chop a tree and I’ll spend the first 4 hours to sharpen the axe.” Those were the words of legendary statesman Abraham Lincoln. While he was talking symbolically about the importance of being well-prepared, his advice also applies in the literal sense. Whatever home improvement/DIY job you’re interested in, make sure you sharpen your tools safely before you get started. Let’s take a look at how to do that…
Why it’s important to sharpen your tools
Regardless of the scale of your DIY project, you need the right tools, but more importantly, the tools should be sharp. Imagine trying to go at it with a blunt garden tool. Won’t work, would it? You would have to exert extra energy, leading to fatigue and tiredness. Plus, not sharpening your tools before working on the project can increase the risk of injury as well. Therefore, there is the safety aspect as well.
Do keep in mind that the sharpening requirements vary from tool to tool. So, before you set about sharpening a tool, make sure you understand clearly how sharp it needs to be.
Safety first
Safety should be your foremost priority when you want to sharpen your tools. This includes procuring the right safety equipment. But even before that, it is important that you clean the tool you want to sharpen, particularly blades. Any debris or dust on the edge of a blade can contain moisture, which eventually leads to corrosion. So, cleaning is important before you start.
Depending on the tool you are trying to sharpen and the method you are using, here are acouple of quick pointers you should remember:
• Safety Goggles: Protecting your eyes is a must when sharpening any tool. This is especially true for wooden and metal tools, where some chunks might fly off when you are sharpening the tool.
• Gloves: When you are filing a tool or sharpening the edge of a blade, your hands are exposed to protrusions that can cause an injury. Wear thick gloves, leather gloves for instance.
• Tight Clothes: An important tip to sharpen tools safely is wearing tight clothes. Don’t wear loose clothing because it might get stuck in the tool or machine, if you are using one, for sharpening. It is also a good idea to tie up your hair, especially if you have long hair.
Choose the right sharpening tools
You need to choose the right tools to be able to sharpen tools safely. Some of these tools might be available to you around the house. In case you don’t have the tools mentioned below, you can easily buy them at a local hardware store:
• Files: You need to file the edge of most metal tools you use for different home improvement projects. So invest in a good quality file. Bonus Tip: Buy a handle in addition to the file so you can use it conveniently.
• Grinding Wheel: A grinding wheel is an essential tool for sharpening blades. You will need the aforementioned safety equipment, as sparks fly when you take a piece of metal to a grinding wheel.
• Clamps: Sometimes, when you are working on a tool, it can slip from your grasp and lead to an accident. To prevent this, buy some C-clamps so you can keep the tool in place as you sharpen it.
As you can see, you can avoid a lot of hassle and inconvenience and still sharpen tools safely. That being said, you can always call a professional to handle the task for you.