Sharpen, clean and oil a shovel - PEP BB tool.sand.shovel

i haven't noticed any mention of the backside being filed in the posts. it is a good idea to run your file along the bottom/flat side of the implement being sharpened to take out burrs and, depending how beat up the implement is, really rough chunks that stick out. file not to put a bevel but just run the file flat along the surface. sometimes the gouges are very deep so it's better to just make it mostly sharp and each time you sharpen you will gradually work out the nasty ones.

cheers   james

Here is my submission for "Sharpen, clean and oil a shovel - PEP BB tool.sand.shovel":

I am providing photos of the following:
 - pic of dull or rusty shovel
 - action pic
 - pic of clean, sharp shovel

and a description of the following:
 - describe the oil used to protect the metal

I oiled the shovel with a little organic olive oil.

"A clean shovel, is a happy shovel."

Said no one, ever!

Regardless, I proceeded to pretty up my favorite implement of destruction.

oiled with  Linseed oil  looks all most new works like it new to.

Cleaned up my shovels. I started with my ratty, handed down junk shovel that I use for compost and poop shoveling. I wasn't sure if it ended up good enough for this BB so I did another that is in better shape to begin with. The junk shovel was used for asphalt in a previous life. I ground it off with an angle grinder and a gasket peeler, then sand paper, but it ended up rubbing some of the asphalt into the top coat of the shovel I think? Thus why I wasn't sure if it was good enough and used another shovel too.

It's definitely good enough for compost and poop though!
Looking forward to the next time I need my good shovel since it should work much better now too.

I used linseed oil to finish.

Requirements to complete:
- Can be any metal shovel (not metal edged plastic snow shovels)
- Protecting oil can't be petroleum derived

To get certified for this BB, post the following:

 - pic of dull or rusty shovel
See attached
 - action pic
See attached
 - pic of clean, sharp shovel
See attached
 - describe the oil used to protect the metal
I utilized boiled linseed oil to protect the metal.

WE use shovels a lot. So I decided that I might as well clean one up. I used files for this badge, I also used olive oil to protect the metal for future use. The shovel is now VERY sharp. I accidently cut my finger on it while I was finishing it up, so I can personally attest to its sharpness.

De-rusting the shovel
1. first I fasten the shovel in a bench vise
2. I take a 80 grit sand paper to get off the rough stuff
3. with the cup brush I take off stuck mortar and pitted rust I can already see
4. then I take a 120 grit sand paper (in my case I didn't have 120, so I fell back to 180 grit which also worked fine) to give it a good sanding until the metal shines again
5. I then take my cup brush again to remove any pitted rust that was previously not noticeable

Sharpening the shovel
1. once the shovel is free of rust I put on my safety googles and use the angle grinder give the shovel a real quick sharpening (making sure to quickly go over the edge of the shovel to not heat up the metal too much).
2. then I take a file to finish up the sharpened blade

Important to note that the shovel is held horizontally by the bench vise, the edge of the blade to be sharpened is horizontal to the floor as well.

Caring for the shovel
To further prevent the shovel from rusting I applied linseed oil with an old rag. The shine is quite beautiful

I have never sharpened a shovel before! We have like 20 different shovels and they all sit outside and rust. When I watched this video about shovel/spade care, I'm sure my mouth was open the whole time.

I cleaned off this shovel with a wire brush. There was a bit of rust. I then used a whet stone to take off raised rusty sections. I used sandpaper on both the handle and the metal parts. Then I used a bastard file to give the shovel an edge. Finally, I oiled both top and bottom with walnut oil.

OMG. A sharp shovel may have changed my life. Why did I wait so long to do this bb?? I am planning to make a jute scrubbie to leave by my shovel bin to keep the dirt off all my shovels. All the time. Dang!

I have never sharpened a shovel before! We have like 20 different shovels and they all sit outside and rust. When I watched this video about shovel/spade care, I'm sure my mouth was open the whole time.

I cleaned off this shovel with a wire brush. There was a bit of rust. I then used a whet stone to take off raised rusty sections. I used sandpaper on both the handle and the metal parts. Then I used a bastard file to give the shovel an edge. Finally, I oiled both top and bottom with walnut oil.

OMG. A sharp shovel may have changed my life. Why did I wait so long to do this bb?? I am planning to make a jute scrubbie to leave by my shovel bin to keep the dirt off all my shovels. All the time. Dang!