|
|
|
Post Hole Diggers |
Edge Angle
The sharpener should consider sharpening this tool in the outside of the digging blade’s curve.
|
Gardeners learn by trowel and error. Anonymous |
A 6" smooth cut machinist’s hand file is useful to carry in your gardening tools box. Use it to resharpen the shovel as needed throughout the tool's usage for the day.
|
General Guidelines |
|
|---|---|
| α |
Notes |
| 45° |
This tool will encounter rocks often when being used. Thusly, the edge need not be any more acute. Also, it does not need to be terribly sharp. |
These tools are typically stamped ouf of metals which are not terribly hard. Consider this when selecting sharpening tools: if too much heat is generated in the sharpening activity, this can easily remove whatever temper was added to the metal.
Shaping the edge: New shovels I have purchased have an angle (α) of 90°. Therefore, initial shaping of the edge is to be expected.
A machinist’s hand file such as a 12-14" bastard file is often sufficient for this task.
If you use an angle grinder, consider using a 120 grit flap disc. A metal grinding wheel may be needed for large-scale shaping. In either case, be sure to not overheat the metal too much: it weakens the metal.
Use a machinist’s hand file.
Depth scale on the tool’s handle
It is recommended that you add a depth scale to the handle of this tool. That will make it easier to determine how deep the hole is without having to use a ruler to measure the depth (and probably dropping the tape measure into the hole). An example is shown to the right (0” is at the tool’s cutting edge; 14” is the line at the top of the metal part).
A Sharpie is sufficient for this. Be sure the markings are easy to read when looking down at the hole (e.g., big numbers).
