Randy Bachman

I have several old hand saws. I watching a restoration video which showed how to sharpen a crosscut. Looks easy. Does anyone include saw sharpening in their winter tool chores?

Dave Bross wrote:Something I like for sharpening whatever edged tool needs it is called a Speedy Sharp.

It looks like a carbide lathe bit soldered into a handle.

WAY quicker than a file, less effort than a grinder, and you can carry it in your pocket, which I do all the time.

Having it right there all the time encourages my lazy self to tune up those edges frequently...and then it's such a pleasure to work with a freshly sharpened tool.

https://speedysharp.com
.

I have one i use occasionalky on wood carving knives. Never thought of using it on shovels and hoes. Thanks

Jay Angler wrote:

Randy Bachman wrote: I dont think i will do that again.

Did you baste it in first? For original applications, zippers are often the first or second step, then the rest of the garment/object is built around the zipper. Replacement zips are always a challenge for me, but I do it anyway because I feel it's worth getting the most life out of the garments.

I didnt baste it. Dont know what it is. But im going to look it up. Thanks

I’m not a sewer/sower/? But I do a lot of leather work including even hand made /hand stitched wearables. l have found dental floss to be the best mending thread ever. We use a fake senew in leather stitching, but its really just waxed multi-thread floss. Ive fixed holes in my jeans, stifch buttons on shirts. I even fixed a hole in my old MGB top. I keep a needle and floss with me all ghe time and do quick mends when the need arrises. My only zipper was a new install on a leather rifle case. I dont think i will do that again.

Alan Burnett wrote:
Could you share more about what you do? I have a lot of metal tools I'm bringing inside for the first time this winter to give them some maintenance, and I could use some practical advice

I use a wire wheel on my drill to derust my tools. Then i use a grinder to put the edge on and to grind away divits. I lightly sand the wooden handles. Then i take any old varnish i have and put several coats on. Its a good way to get rid of small quantities of old varnish rather than put it in the trash. Last i put oil on the metal parts. Nothing fancy, even used motor oil.

Alan Burnett wrote:
Could you share more about what you do? I have a lot of metal tools I'm bringing inside for the first time this winter to give them some maintenance, and I could use some practical advice

I use a wire wheel on my drill to derust my tools. Then i use a grinder to put the edge on and to grind away divits. I lightly sand the wooden handles. Then i take any old varnish i have and put several coats on. Its a good way to get rid of small quantities of old varnish rather than put it in the trash. Last i put oil on the metal parts. Nothing fancy, even used motor oil.

I have 5 scres of clay and agates. Terrible pasture grass. I was thinking of comfrey to aid in adding organic matter and to break up the soil. All the comments here make it seem positive, especially the bee comments. Does it grow in clay without a lot of bother?

Nancy Reading wrote:We all know someone who if they didn't have bad luck would have no luck at all. I have a feeling that sometimes it can be avoided by a bit of preventative maintenance.

Here are 10 suggestions that I came up with - there are probably loads.

Truly fantastic thread. Thank you all for your actionable and wise contributions. I have much to do now.

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:Experimental Farm Network has now published their 2025 online catalog. As of writing this post, skirret seed is now available for purchase.

Mine are on the way!

Richard Gorny wrote:I have tried to grow skirret and under my conditions roots are small and thin, under lush greenery above ground. I let it self-seed, but I no longer try to eat it these days, too much work compared to yield.

What kind of conditions do you grow in?