Dull tool blades can turn an easy chore into a tough task

You've probably heard the expression "He's not the sharpest tool in the shed." Well, if not, you're lucky. We have. A dull-bladed tool is slow, inefficient and increases the risk of damage to you or your project.

Take a tip from us and keep your blades sharp. In the average shed, blades that need to be sharpened are lawn mower blades, shovel blades, hoes, axes and saws.

Most of the time, you can take care of these with a simple metal file.

You should try to steady the blade while you are working on it. A bench vise is your best bet for a solid hold. If you don't have one, then use some really good clamps and hold the tool to a workbench or a steady sawhorse.

Start by running a file over the blade in the same direction as the cutting edge. Use long strokes and even pressure. Try to follow the existing edge of the blade. The file is designed to work more aggressively and will do most of the work. You can follow this with a sharpening stone if you like, but it's usually not necessary.

Another way to sharpen these blades is with a rotary tool. Just choose the best bit to use for your tool, and be careful not to take off too much. These small tools are more powerful than you might think.

We would like to include a special word on lawn mower blades. Always remove the mower's spark plug before cleaning, removing or replacing the blade, for safety's sake. Also, make sure the blade is evenly balanced before putting it back on the mower.

Keep all of your blades sharp by cleaning and lubricating them after each use. Check with your hardware store to see if it offers a sharpening service. It's a great convenience, and usually worth every penny!

Organizing idea

Keeping an organized workshop lets you store more items, and it can save you time when it comes to finding things, too. One super storage idea lets you use inexpensive, clear plastic shoe boxes. These are great for storing all sorts of things, and since the boxes are clear, you easily can see what's inside each one. They stack on top of each other and allow you to sort and organize lots of shop stuff.

Easy compost bin

Compost is a great way to create plant food from yard waste, kitchen scraps and other throwaways. Your compost bin can be a fancy, expensive model, or you can buy a large trash can. Drill lots of holes into the side and bottom of the can so that air can penetrate and water can be released. Fill it with grass clippings, old leaves, veggie scraps from the kitchen and a little soil. Water it occasionally, and use a pitchfork to mix it once a week. Keep the cover on it to help the compost work. In just a few months, you will have some free mulch and plant food.

Super hints

• Magnets are great for picking up and holding on to loose metal hardware. Why not keep one or two in your workshop, on top of a metal toolbox, on the side of a metal bench-top tool, on a storage cabinet in your shop or wherever it will be easily accessible?

• Patio furniture is easy to clean. Just put it in the back of your pickup truck and head for the car wash. Spray it down and add a coat of wax to keep it from rusting. Then haul it all back home.

• You still can pick up wooden yardsticks for less than a buck at hardware stores and home centers. Sometimes you even can find them for free! I have attached one to my garage shelves with Velcro. I can easily measure things by holding them right up against it, or I can remove it to take with me on a project that I'm working on outside the garage. The Velcro is great!

Q. We have been advised to install solar window screens. Can we make them ourselves?

A. Yes, you can. You may have to do a little searching for supplies, but you can make them yourself, and they will do the job just as well as the custom-made products. Solar screens have come a long way since the early versions. They used to be black and rather obvious, but they come in a variety of colors now, and actually look nice. They really can save you money on energy bills, too. Solar window film is an option you might consider. It probably won't work as effectively as the screens, but it is much less expensive to install, and does some good, too.

Q. Our garage is turning into a family room as we grow older. I have added insulation to the walls, and plan to finish the walls and ceiling this summer. I want to find a good way to insulate the garage door. Got any ideas?

A. You can install heavy-duty weatherstripping around the door and threshold. You also can install foam panels on the inside of the garage door to help insulate it. If you plan to seal the door permanently, you might consider removing it and putting in a stud wall, which could be insulated.

Q. My patio door is made of acrylic panels, and I've cleaned them, but they have some scratches on them. I know that plastic won't last as long as glass, but I would like to keep them for a while longer. What can I clean them with that might remove some scratches?

A. Never use any harsh or abrasive cleaners or sponges. Also stay away from typical glass cleaners or petroleum-based cleaners. Use a product made for cleaning plastics. Check your hardware store or an auto-parts dealer. It might not be possible to remove existing scratches, but you can prevent more with these tips.

Reader tips

• I usually like to paint, but doing the trim on the outside of the house has been very time-consuming. I found a quick way to mask around the windows to save some time (we have hundreds of small panes of glass): I used a bar of soap to mask. I just ran it around the edge of the window panes, and it kept the paint from sticking to the glass. It was easy to clean off once the paint was dry, too.

• The kids all have grown past the age when I need to use plug protectors on our electrical outlets. I have removed almost all of them from around the house. I installed several of them in the garage, basement and outdoor outlets to add a layer of protection against bugs and other debris getting into the outlets.

• I put new clothesline up on the old poles in our backyard. I wanted to use this more than the dryer in order to save on our energy costs. I love the way the clothes smell when dried outdoors, too. I put several short pieces of garden hose on the line to prevent the clothespins from leaving creases on the clothes. The hose goes over the line but under the cloth so that the clothespins grip both together and don't leave marks on the clothes. It works pretty well, and I'm loving it!

• I put down peel-and-stick tiles in our sunroom. It's great because it's easy to clean and looks nice. I do have a problem every once in a while where a tile will start to peel up. I just put a little glue under the edge and stack some heavy books on top of it overnight, and it is back to normal the next day.

• I keep a large, sealable plastic bag in my workshop to store all of my instruction manuals and receipts in. It keeps them from getting ruined by moisture damage and shop debris. I easily can get to the one I need when I am looking for it. I also easily can keep track of everything, because it's all in one safe place. It's a great way to stay organized in a busy workshop, like mine is most of the time.

Shoptalk

• Scraping paint or anything else isn't a lot of fun - until now. The Spyder Scraper Blade is a blade that is meant to fit your reciprocating saw. This means all the work is done by the saw, not you. The blades come in different sizes and packaging, but they work great and can be used not only to scrape paint but to remove flooring, glue, wallpaper and much more. You even can resharpen them if you need to. To find out more about this tool, visit simplemanproducts.com, maker of all sorts of clever products for the do-it-yourselfer.

• The Johnny Jolter is the latest power plunger for unclogging toilets. It's easy to use and works quickly, with a lot less effort than a standard plunger. You place it in the toilet bowl and draw water into it with the plunger, then push the water back out with the same plunger, which is powerful enough to break most clogs. You can disassemble it for cleaning afterward, of course. It works on most styles of toilets, too. To find out more about how the Johnny Jolter works or where you can get one for your home, visit metro-products.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006, or visit the Carrells' website at thesuperhandyman.com.