How to Clean Your Tools and

Equipment
Let’s start with the basics
• Your shovel, spade, hoe, or even the
blades on a hedge trimmer will be a
lot easier to use if you take a few
minutes to knock some of the rust
off the blade.
What will be our first step to do in
the cleaning process?
It is said that…
• This also extend the useful
life of the tools.
• It will cut through the soil
better and thus require less
effort to use.
You should know that in order to
clean, sharpen and maintain the
useful life of these tools there are
some materials that you should know.
WHETSTONE
SAND PAPER
BENCH VISE
WATER AND OIL
THE CLEANING
PROCESS
• The best way to use the stone
is to find a way to stabilize the
tool that you want to work on.
• Apply a bit of lubricating oil to
the end of the tool and
carefully begin to work the
stone over the blade.
• Maintain a 30degree angle
between the stone and the
blade to form the ideal cutting
edge of your tool.
30º angle
Why 30?
• The edge will become sharp.
• Remove any pitting and rust
that has form at the edge of
your tool’s blade.
In some instances where the
moving parts of your garden
tools have frozen in place like
springs and pivot joints.
• You should disassemble them first
carefully.
• Break free any rust or dirt that may
keep the tool from functioning
properly.
There are certain materials
that we need in removing
stubborn rust or dirt from our
tools.
FINE STEEL WOOL
OLD TOOTHBRUSH
Using an old toothbrush with
some lightweight lubricating oil is
a great way to work fresh oil into
the joints of the garden tools.
SANDPAPER
Use medium grit sandpaper to
remove rust on larger tools such
as shovels, spades, and hoes.
How to Sharpen…
Once your tools are cleaned, they are
ready to be sharpened.
• When sharpening try to maintain
the original factory bevel or angle.
• For pruners, use whetstone
because it produces a very sharp
cutting edge.
• With the beveled side of the blade
against the stone, rub the sharp
edge of the blade toward the stone
in a curved motion.
When working with a file…
• Stabilize the blades in a vise or
against a solid surface to avoid injury
and ensure an even stroke.
• Always push the file across the
blade in a motion away from your
body.
• When sharpening with a file, do
not use oil.
Farm implements like plow and
wooden harrow should be
checked before use.…
• Loosen bolts and nuts should be
tightened firmly.
• Disc plow and disc harrow should
be lubricated on their moving
parts like bearings.
• Loosen bolts and nuts should be
tightened firmly.
• Disc plow and disc harrow should
be lubricated on their moving
parts like bearings.
• Tractors should be tuned-up very
well by skilled operator. Check on
their oil, lubricant, fuel and
cooling system.
Tools that are worn out should be
separated and be fixed immediately
to avoid accident.
TRUE OR FALSE: Read and analyze
each statement below. Write True if the
statement is correct; False if the
statement is incorrect on the space
provided for.
_____1.The best way to use the stone
is to find a way to stabilize the tool
that you want to
work on.
_____2.Tools that are worn out
should be separated and be fixed
immediately to avoid
accident.
_____3. When sharpening, try to
maintain the original factory bevel
or angle.
_____4. Always push the file across
the blade in a motion away from
your body.
_____5. Clean accumulated rust and
dirt off all metal surfaces with a wire
brush.
_____6. Move the file diagonally, so
that its cutting teeth are biting into
the metal on the tool.
_____7. Use medium-grit sandpaper
to remove rust on larger tools such
as shovels, spades,
and hoes.
_____8. When sharpening with a file,
do not use oil; metal filings will
accumulate and clog
the file's serrations.
_____9. Oil will help tools to work as
intended and will prevent the
formation of rust .
____10. For pruners, use a whetstone
because it produces a very sharp
cutting edge.