Regardless of the quality of the metal and the frequency of the procedure, over time it is necessary to sharpen the knives of all machines used for shearing sheep. In some cases, the solution to the problem will be to replace the canvas. But it is cheaper to sharpen the knives of the sheep clipper yourself. Moreover, the procedure does not require special preparation.
Signs that your blades need sharpening
Specialized sheep shearing machines are complemented by steel knives, which are often coated with a layer of diamond or titanium coating. However, despite the fact that such material is characterized by increased strength, the blades require periodic sharpening. This procedure must be carried out if:
- the blade does not capture the entire treated area, but only a part;
- after a haircut, signs of irritation or cuts appear on the animal’s body;
- After cutting, areas with fur remain.
Grooming with unsharpened knives causes irritation in animals. The sheep become restless at this point, which complicates the whole process.
How to sharpen sheep shearing knives
Specialized sharpening equipment will be required if the machine is used to shear a large flock of sheep. If the tool is used at home, the procedure can be carried out using available devices.
Professional sharpening kit
Professional kit contains:
- magnet;
- aluminum disc;
- machine;
- laser pointer.
This kit also usually contains a blade cleaner. The sharpening procedure using these tools is as follows:
- Using a screwdriver, remove the blades from the machine.
- The aluminum disc included in the kit is treated with a dry cloth (this removes dust), and then with special oil and abrasive powder.
- The blade and laser pointer are held in place by a magnet.
- The appropriate disk rotation speed is set and the device starts.
- The blade is pressed against the rotating disk.At this moment, the knife must be moved smoothly, moving from the center to the edge.
- Sharpening takes, on average, up to two minutes. At the end of the procedure, both the knives and the disc are wiped.
When sharpening the blade, it is necessary to move it in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the disk. It is recommended to carry out this procedure slowly. Any errors may result in permanent damage to the knives.
On a grinding machine
To sharpen knives on a grinding machine, you need to follow the same steps as described above. That is, for this you will need:
- Start the grinding machine disc.
- Press down on the blade.
- Move the knives from the center to the edge of the disk, thereby removing the top layer of metal.
At the end of the procedure, it is also recommended to clean the work area and blades. Some experts do not use this method, since with such sharpening the likelihood of damaging knives increases.
On a lathe
A lathe makes sharpening blades much easier. But working with this tool will require certain skills. For sharpening you need:
- Use magnets to secure the blade to the work surface.
- Treat the aluminum disc with a special paste and abrasive powder.
- Start the machine and sharpen the knives according to the algorithm given earlier.
- Open the machine and wipe the blades with a clean cloth.
It is recommended to wear protective gloves and goggles before sharpening blades. It is also necessary to check that the knives are positioned correctly on the work surface.
On an emery machine
The principle of sharpening on an emery machine is the same as on a lathe. The only difference is that in this case the blades will have to be held in your hands.Therefore, when sharpening, you must be careful and do not run the disc at maximum speed. In addition, when performing these manipulations, it is recommended to carefully bring the knives. An emery machine can quickly grind off the top layer of a cutting device.
Using a block and sandpaper
This option is suitable for farmers who rarely use sheep shearing machines. This method is considered the safest in comparison with those described earlier. The main task is that during sharpening you need to maintain the angle of the cutting edge that was set by the manufacturer of the clipper.
To do this, you need to set it appropriately and press the blade tightly against the block. Next, you need to move the canvas along the surface until the desired result is achieved.
If sandpaper is used instead of a block, then the latter must be changed from coarse to fine-grained during the sharpening process. It is also necessary to first fix the material on a suitable surface. The device is sharpened using sandpaper in the same way as using a block.
How to make a homemade sharpening machine/machine with your own hands
Despite the fact that experts do not recommend making such devices yourself, these devices can still be made. It should be taken into account that the tool with which the blades will be sharpened must have a fine abrasive.
simplest
To make a simple tool, you will need 2 corners of wood measuring 20-30 centimeters, a sharpening stone and 6-8 screws with nuts. You also need to take a protractor. The corners are overlapped so that the block fits. Then 4 holes for screws are drilled in the wood.After this, the block is tightened with fasteners, maintaining the desired angle of inclination.
Next you need to take 2 10mm metal tubes. The first will serve as a guide to which the previously made structure with a sharpening stone is attached. The second tube needs to be installed on a stand (a small chipboard slab will do). Both guides must be connected to each other so that the specified angle of inclination of the sharpening stone is maintained.
Improved
To make a more convenient tool, you need to cut a piece of laminate measuring 10x4 centimeters. Next, the long side is ground at an angle so that this part ensures free movement of the bar. Then a piece of plywood measuring 30x10 centimeters is cut out, which will serve as the basis for the future instrument.
After this, the prepared laminate is attached to this part with an indentation of 2 centimeters from the edge.
The next step is to make a stand to which the sharpening tool is attached. To do this you will need:
- Attach a 70 cm rail vertically to the base.
- Clamp part of the attached rail. This must be done in such a way that, by attaching the bar to the holder and the vertical stand, you get an angle of 20-30 degrees.
- Secure a similar strip on the other side.
- A block is attached between the slats using glue at a specified angle so as to form a U-shaped structure.
At the end you need to make a whetstone. To do this, take a rail of length equal to the distance between the holder and the U-shaped structure. Fine sandpaper is attached to the end of this part.
Tips for using the tool
You can increase the service life of your sheep clipper by following these recommendations:
- do not use the tool except for cutting;
- avoid mechanical impact on the blades;
- regularly treat mechanical components with oil;
- After sharpening and cutting, clean knives and all tools.
In addition, it is recommended to avoid contact with water, and when sharpening, use a high-quality abrasive.
