We know that when the grid goes down when you are struggling to make ends meet, keeping yourself and family from going off the deep end, that tool care may not be foremost on your mind. However, for the future, even if it does look bleak, a logical part of your mind knows how important tool care really is. Here are some tips:
Once you’ve got the surface grime removed, dry thoroughly and buff off any rust with steel wool or sand paper. Don’t go any deeper than you need to – just aim for the rust. Rust is very bad for your tools. Try to preserve as much of the factory finish as possible. You probably want to do this outside or in an area that you don’t mind getting messy, and wear gloves, as it can be a little rough on the hands.
To sharpen, firmly clamp the tool in a vise. Using a metal file, bevel the edge of the shovel from back to front – follow the factory edge. Once you’ve created the bevel, lightly buff the opposite side to remove any burrs. The front of the shovel should be smooth, the back beveled.
After you’ve finished the job, when your tools are cleaned and look ready to take on the backyard once again, give the blades a good coat of mineral oil or WD-40. This will protect them from further damage and the dreaded rust! It does not hurt to give the same treatment to your tools wooden handles too, just so they don’t dry out and crack.
For more tips and tricks to keep your tool clean and usable for that tough road ahead, go to Common Sense Homesteading.
Again, tool cleaning may not be a must for most, especially during a chaos situation, but it sure can help!