Sunday, December 16, 2012

"Garden Tool Maintenance 101"

   Well we talked about in "Things to do, in the Garden, in the fall" garden tool maintenance and in "Winterizing Your Lawn Mower" about the importance of maintenance. Now lets put it to use!  You will just need a few things:
Tools Needed

1) Steel brush, to brush all of the hard debris and rust off the steel surfaces!
2)Bucket of warm soapy water, to wash down all the tools.
3) WD40, is to treat the steel parts of the hand tools to prevent rust.
4) Tung Oil or Linseed Oil, is to treat the wooden handles of the tools for prevention of rot and to keep them strong.
5) Old Rags, washing and application of  oils.
6) Spray Paint, for spray painting certain tools.
7) A file, for sharping.

  
  Tool maintenance is another not so fun but necessary gardening job, that again must people want even know you have done. I take that back your children and grand children will because if you take time to do this you will be able to pass your tools down to them!
  With the steel brush, Soapy water and Rags, you are going to clean the tools of all dirt and/or rust. After you let the dry use the file to sharpen the tools that may need an edge. Then Spray down the metal parts with WD40 to prevent rusting, unless you are gonna paint the surface. If you are gonna paint the surface DO NOT spray it with any oil, the paint won't stick! Finally, I used Tung Oil and an old rag to rub all the wood surfaces down, you can do this 2 or 3 times if you would like for more protection. Just let then set in sun to dry before putting away for the winter!
Before Cleaning
Before Cleaning














  When you look at the tools in the picture's, think of the money saved from taking care of them. I only bought one of the shovels the rest were pasted down to me from Dad and Grandpa's! So you can see how frugal this is in the long run and we can use every penny saved in this economy today!
After, Just Like New!
  Final Tip: My Dad had a 5 gallon bucket of sand sitting on the inside of the door of his shop. He would mix used motor oil in with the sand. Ever time he used his tools and would return to put them up he push the steel ends of the shovel (for example) down into the oily sand. This would clean the dirt of and give them an oily protection from rust. I haven't done it yet, only because I just remembered it while I was cleaning my tools. That will be next!


"If by doing some work which the undiscerning consider “not spiritual work” I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and the exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love." ~ Amy Carmichael
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Harvest Mondays, Homestead Barn Hop, Back Yard Farming Connection Hop, The Country Garden Showcase, Teach Me Tuesday, Frugal Tuesdays, Simple Living Link-up, Garden Blogger Bloom Day, Frugal Days Sustainable Way, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Wednesday Link Party, Winsome Wednesdays, Encourage One Another, Wordless Wednesdays, Down Home Blog Hop, Country Homemaker Hop, Home and Garden Thursday, Rural Thursday, Fall Harvest, Thursdays Favorite Things, Fridays Fertilizer Flaunts, Fantabulus Fridays, Weekend Whatever, Farm Girl Friday, Farm Girl Blog Fest, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, On it, In it and Around it, A Pinteresting Party, Sweet Saturday 

18 comments:

  1. OK. Your quote stepped on my toes. lol. :) Thanks. I needed that.

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  2. So, I confess. Tool maintenance is not my strong point. My tools are often neglected and left to misery before time is taken to tend their needs. Thanks for reminding me to get this done!

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  3. Great post Clint! I haven't finished cleaning all of my tools yet this year. Guess I better get busy :)

    I would love to have you share this post on Wildcrafting Wednesday tomorrow! I won't have it up until morning, but you can visit me at:
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/

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  4. Wonderful tips as usual! The bucket of sand trick is a new one on me! Thanks!

    Marcia

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  5. Great tutorial :) Thanks for sharing on Wildcrafting Wednesday! Be sure to vote for our People's Choice Awards on Wednesday at:
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/

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  6. Great tips, I need to properly clean and put away my tools. I will be following you in the spring for great tips.

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  7. This is AWESOME! My husband is itching to be "doing something". I'm going to share this with him!

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  8. Clint, you're a genius! It has never even occurred to me to take care of my garden tools. I will be doing that now. One more great way to turning away from the "disposable" lifestyle we are so used to. I'm following you now, btw. :)

    Kristi@Let This Mind Be in You

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    Replies
    1. Not a genius, just trying to make things last, lol!

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  9. These are such great tools! I have been looking into gardening tools for sale and which ones I can use the best! Can you tell me where I might be able to find more information about these tools! Thanks again for sharing!

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  10. Thank you so much for sharing this information on gardening maintenance. I can't wait to start my garden this spring! Do you know where I can find gardening tools for sale? Thank you for your help!

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  11. I can't thank you enough for sharing this information, its been extremely helpful! I've never had the chance to deal much with gardening tools for sale before let alone just basic maintenance of them. I'm excited to get going on them and seeing how there going!

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  12. this is really a big help for me.. thankyou for sharing this! Visit http://onegreatdeals.com/

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  13. I love gardening!! kindly visit our Website http://onegreatdeals.com/
    -- Thanks!

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  14. Thank you for providing the information regarding gardening tools.These gardening tools are very helpful to maintain our garden.

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  15. Your blog has interesting information about garden tools.Thank you for providing the information regarding garden tools care.

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  16. You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.


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