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Post by Chuckles on Jan 25, 2009 10:07:07 GMT
Mmmmm OM's tip of the day "have a look at your lawn mower... make sure it's in good working condition, or take it to a specialist to check. If you wait until Spring when everyone else is taking theirs you may not get it back for weeks!"
made me think about my mower. I generally clean it underneath every couple of uses just to get rid of that layer of grass that collects but thats about it really  I guess whether you have an electric one or petrol one the blades would need sharpening. Anyone do a do it yourself job on their mower, I wouldn't know where to start tbo. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 25, 2009 10:11:30 GMT
I just think it's a minor miracle if I can start my mower........I don't know anything about how it works! ;D Has anyone ever made a sand bucket to keep their tools clean? I've wanted to make one for years as directed by the wondrous John Seymour.....sump oil and sand in a bucket to oil and clean at the same time. What do you think? And where do I get sump oil from...........?  (And don't say a sump....) |
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Post by Barbara on Jan 25, 2009 12:38:26 GMT
That souns a good idea 4P, would any other type of oil do I wonder  |
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Post by Amo on Jan 25, 2009 21:35:24 GMT
It's used car oil 4P, ask at a garage for some. I've always wanted to do it too but usually just end with the same mud on as last time. Mowers and tractor are OH's babies. He's a dab hand at a quick strip down.  Tractor goes off for service once a year but the other two do alternate years so far. The one tool I do look after myself regularly are my secateurs. Bless ed is the Felco blade!!! Also we do seem to have a bit of a thing for WD40 in this house. OH is often caught with a spray gun of it in his hand. Mind you a squirt of it on top of the water butt water is supposed to stop mosquito larvae breathing and around pots is supposed to deter slugs. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2009 7:49:41 GMT
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Post by Barbara on Jan 27, 2009 12:57:03 GMT
Thanks larky.  |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 29, 2009 23:29:57 GMT
Anyone know what should be used on wooden handled tools to protect/preserve them, like some sort of oil or waterproofing stuff.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 30, 2009 7:35:58 GMT
One of my neighbours used to paint the wooden handles of things with really bright gloss paint and it worked three fold really.
a) it protected the wood
b) she could always see where they were in the garden when she was working.
c) she never "lost" any tools by neighbours borrowing them and "forgetting" to return them.
RF
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 31, 2009 19:11:36 GMT
I've heard about sump oil in a bucket of sand before 4P it's a really good old fashioned way that I'd totally forgot about. The days when tools were just made of steel rather than the modern day stainless steel. I do have a really old steel spade and hoe, both with wooden handles. Everything else I have is stainless steel with either wooden or plastic handles.
I love the idea of using bright gloss paint RF, everything would look very modern too. Not sure as I could be bothered to paint them though tbo. I've had some tools that have the metal bit painted, it chips off after a while.
Thinking back to preserving the wooden handles on tools I have in the back of my mind linseed oil, not sure if I'm right though.
I use WD40 on sheers and secateurs Amo. Love the tip about the water butt and slugs.
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 4, 2009 11:24:38 GMT
I'd use linseed oil, Chuckles, but wait until it's a bit warmer as it will take years to dry in the cold! Smells lovely though.........I have used olive oil in the past too - it brings up my wooden kitchen worktops lovely so I can't see any reason why it's not just as good for wooden spade handles! ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 12, 2009 21:54:37 GMT
I'd use linseed oil, Chuckles, but wait until it's a bit warmer as it will take years to dry in the cold! Smells lovely though.........I have used olive oil in the past too - it brings up my wooden kitchen worktops lovely so I can't see any reason why it's not just as good for wooden spade handles! ;D Thanks 4P I had a feeling Linseed oil was the one. I'll get rummaging in the back of the cupboard under the sink, you never know what else I might find in there ;D I've used olive oil on some old leather shoes before and it gave them a new lease of life, I wear them in the garden. |
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Post by Spruance on Feb 12, 2009 22:24:56 GMT
Linseed oil is also used as a constituent of - and to soften - putty Chuckles so if you can't get hold of any, try your local glazier.
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Post by Tig on Mar 2, 2009 13:30:28 GMT
I have invented an ingenius solution for the forgetful and absent minded tool losers ;D Attach a 2 metre piece of string to all your hand tools, and tie it to the belt loops on your jeans or a belt. That will solve you having to spend hours searching the garden for your lost fork or trowel (which I had to do this morning! OH found it eventually - in a bucket of compost!) x Tig |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 4, 2009 5:52:40 GMT
I spend a lot of garden days searching for my trowel or fork - good idea Tig - are you going to Patent it!!!
RF
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Post by Tig on Mar 4, 2009 11:06:45 GMT
I really should RF - it could be known as the Tig-Tool-Tag ;D
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Post by Barbara on Mar 4, 2009 12:51:09 GMT
The hours that I spend looking for my trowels, I have 3, the plan was, one in the back garden, one for the side plot, and one for the front, but I must wander from place to place with one in my hand and thats where it ends up, Hubby says I should fasten bells on them, but if they're not moving that wont work, I don't wear pants so your plan wont work either Tig. But I think it will take off with a name like that, will we be seeing you on Dragons den. ;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 4, 2009 13:51:44 GMT
I really should RF - it could be known as the Tig-Tool-Tag ;D As Barbara says, with a name like that it has got to be a winner!! RF |
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I guess whether you have an electric one or petrol one the blades would need sharpening.
(And don't say a sump....)
Tractor goes off for service once a year but the other two do alternate years so far. 
