Sheep clipper knife sharpening rules and do-it-yourself machine assembly

Regardless of the quality of the metal and the frequency of the procedure, over time, it is necessary to sharpen the knives for 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 shearing machine knives yourself. Moreover, the procedure does not require special preparation.

Signs for sharpening blades

Specialized sheep shearing machines are complemented by steel knives, which are often coated with a layer of diamond or titanium spraying. However, despite the fact that such a material is characterized by increased strength, the blades require periodic sharpening. This procedure must be carried out if:

• the blade does not cover the entire treated area, but only a part;
• after cutting, traces of irritation or cuts appear on the animal's body;
• after clipping, there are areas with wool.

Shearing with unsharpened knives irritates animals. Sheep at this moment become restless, which complicates the whole process.

How to sharpen sheep shearing knives

Specialized sharpening equipment is required if the clipper is used to shear a large flock of sheep. If the tool is used at home, then the procedure can be carried out using the tools at hand.

Professional sharpening kit

The 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:

1. Using a screwdriver, the blades are removed from the machine.
2. The supplied aluminum disc is treated with a dry cloth (this removes dust), and then with a special oil and abrasive powder.
3. The blade and the laser pointer are fixed with a magnet.
4. The disc is set to the appropriate speed and the device starts up.
5. The blade is pressed against the rotating disc. At this point, the knife needs to be moved smoothly, moving from the center to the edge.
6. Sharpening takes, on average, up to two minutes. At the end of the procedure, both the knives and the disc are wiped.

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When sharpening, the blade must be moved in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the disc. It is recommended to carry out this procedure slowly. Any mistakes can cause permanent damage to the blades.

On a grinding machine

To sharpen knives on a grinding machine, you need to follow the same steps as described above. That is, this will require:

1. Start the sander disc.
2. Press down on the blade.
3. Move the knives from the center to the edge of the disc, thereby removing the top layer of metal.

At the end of the procedure, it is also recommended to clean the work area and the blades. Some experts do not use this method, since with such a sharpening, the probability of damage to the knives increases.

On a lathe

The lathe greatly simplifies the sharpening of the blades. However, certain skills are required to work with this tool. For sharpening you need:

1. Attach the blade to the working surface using magnets.
2. Treat the aluminum disc with a special paste and abrasive powder.
3. Start the machine and sharpen the knives according to the above algorithm.
4. Open the machine and wipe the blades with a clean cloth.

It is recommended to wear protective gloves and goggles before sharpening the blades. It is also necessary to check the correct position of the knives 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 handled. Therefore, when sharpening, be careful not to run the disc at maximum speed. In addition, when performing these manipulations, it is recommended to carefully bring the knives. The sanding machine is able to quickly grind off the top layer of the cutter.

Using a bar and sandpaper

This option is suitable for farmers who rarely use a sheep clipper. This method is considered the safest in comparison with those described earlier. The main task is that during sharpening it is necessary to maintain the angle of the cutting edge, which was set by the manufacturer of the clipper.

To do this, you need to set it appropriately and press the blade firmly against the bar. Next, you need to move the canvas along the surface until the desired result is achieved.

If sandpaper is used instead of a bar, then the latter must be changed from coarse to fine-grained during the sharpening process. It is also necessary to pre-fix the material on a suitable surface. The device is sharpened with sandpaper in the same way as with a bar.

How to make a homemade machine / do-it-yourself sharpener

Despite the fact that experts do not recommend making such devices on their own, these devices can still be made. It should be borne in mind that the tool through which the blades will be sharpened must have a fine abrasive.

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The simplest

To make a simple tool, you need 2 corners of wood measuring 20-30 centimeters, a sharpening block and 6-8 screws and nuts. You also need to take a protractor. The corners are overlaid with each other so that the bar fits. Then 4 screw holes are drilled in the tree. After that, the bar is pulled together with fasteners, observing the desired angle of inclination.

Next, you need to take 2 10 mm metal tubes. The first will act as a guide to which a previously made structure with a sharpening bar is attached. Place the second tube on a stand (a small chipboard will do). Both guides must be connected to each other so that the specified angle of inclination of the grindstone is maintained.

Improved

To make a more convenient tool, you need to cut out a piece of laminate measuring 10x4 centimeters. Further, the long side is grinded at an angle so that this part provides free movement of the bar. Then a piece of plywood 30x10 centimeters in size is cut, which will serve as the basis for the future tool.

After that, the prepared laminate is fixed to this part with an indent from the edge of 2 centimeters.

The next step is to make a stand to which the sharpening tool is attached. This will require:

1. Attach a 70 cm rail vertically to the base.
2. 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, an angle of 20-30 degrees is obtained.
3. Fasten a similar rail on the other side.
4. Between the slats, a bar is attached with glue at a specified angle so that a U-shaped structure is obtained.

At the end, you need to make a sharpening block. For this, a rail of length is taken equal to the distance between the holder and the U-shaped structure. Fine sandpaper is attached to the end of this part.

Tool tips

You can extend the life of your sheep clipper by following these guidelines:

• do not use a tool other than for a haircut;
• avoid mechanical stress on the blades;
• regularly treat mechanical components with oil;
• after sharpening and cutting, clean the knives and all tools.

In addition, it is recommended to avoid contact with water and use a high-quality abrasive when sharpening.