Tommy Geddes, Commercial Director of architectural ironmonger George Boyd, discusses the importance of a late winter overhaul for all outdoor tools to get them in prime condition for the resumption of outdoor jobs for another year
More daylight, warmer temperatures (well slightly anyway) … we are well and truly on the countdown to spring now.
So you still have a few weeks to ensure that your outdoor tools that have been in the shed, garage, workshop or lock-up for months are match fit when you need to use them again.
While you might still need a few layers to work outside for now, the most important thing is that all your tools are as clean and sharp as you need them to be – that way you can get cracking straight away on all those jobs your customers have seen mount up over winter. A good routine of maintenance will help prolong the life of your tools, helping keep down the cost of replacing them.
So whether you’re going to be landscaping, repairing gates and doors, paving or carrying out other outdoor work, your tools won’t let you down.
Here are the top maintenance tips to consider that will save you hassle when you’re back working outside again.
- For saws, shears, secateurs and all kinds of pruners: Depending on where and how your tools have been stored over winter, several things will need to be considered.
What condition are the blades of the tool in? If they are dirty, this may be hardened and embedded over a few months of idleness. First remove any large parts of dirt or earth before washing the blades with warm water and dish detergent.
Check for rust either on the blades or around the handles. Areas of rust should be cleaned off with steel wool, rubbing vigorously.
Any stubborn dirt on the blades or handles of the tool should then be removed with a solution of paint thinner or similar solvent.
It is then essential that the tool is allowed to dry thoroughly. The blades should then be sharpened, using a stone grinder or other sharpening tool.
Once sharpened, the final stage is for the blades to be lubricated – use WD40 or an equivalent lubricant.
Your tool is now ready for use, so store it in a dry and preferably warm environment until you need it.
- For trowels, shovels, forks and all kinds of earth breaking equipment: Any tool that is used to break soil will become blunt and dull over time. Now is a great moment to overhaul all of your spades, shovels, hoes and more and make them good as new. This is especially timely given that the ground is likely to be firm and unyielding when you first start to work on outdoor projects again.
To begin, knock off all dirt and clean thoroughly with a rag.
If there are any patches of rust, steel wool will shift it, so attack them with gusto and get rubbing!
Once dried, sharpen using a grinder or other sharpening tool on the edge to restore its cutting capability. Oil and store ready for use.
Best practice for job-to-job storage is to fill a bucket with sand and a cup of vegetable oil mix and place the tool sharp end first into the sand. This prevents rust throughout the season
- Motorised tool essentials: For lawnmowers, motorised saws and other powered outdoor tools, in the first instance clean off dirt or other built up leftovers from last season’s jobs.
Check all blades,cleaning and sharpening where necessary.
From there, the checklist is to recharge any batteries, or if there is oil and fuel needed to power the tool, then check both and refresh.
For all tools, a rub over with alcohol will remove any traces of fungus or plant disease from the last jobs you carried out and with it, remove the risk of you spreading that from one garden or house to another as you go from job to job.
It’s also recommended best practice to protect the handles of all of your tools while still in storage. There’s no point in having a gleaming, sharp blade if the handle is damaged or cracked. Use a heavy, strong tape to effectively bandage handles up and prolong their life. Note though, that if a handle is too badly damaged, it will need to be replaced.
Setting aside some time for indoor work now will mean you reap the rewards when the time is right to get back to working outdoors again.
For all your tool needs, spares and the best advice, visit www.george-boyd.co.uk