Garden tools service spring in Exeter
Professional garden tools service spring services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Garden tools sharpened, cleaned, and serviced properly for spring. I sharpen blades, remove rust, oil moving parts, and check handles - leaving you with tools that actually work properly instead of fighting you.
Stop Wrestling With Blunt Tools
That garden fork's been in your shed since last September. Spade's rusty. Secateurs won't cut properly so you're crushing stems instead of slicing them cleanly.
Spring's here and you're trying to prune roses with secateurs that need two hands and brute force to cut a pencil-thick stem.
Gardening's hard enough without fighting your own tools.
💡 Pro tip: Sharp tools don't just make gardening easier - they're better for your plants. Clean cuts heal faster than crushed, torn stems. Your roses will thank you.
Why This Actually Matters
Because blunt, rusty tools make gardening a chore instead of enjoyable.
| ✅ Properly Serviced | ❌ Neglected Tools |
|---|---|
| Spade slices into soil easily | Bounces off hard ground, hurts your foot |
| Secateurs cut cleanly one-handed | Need both hands, still crush the stem |
| Shears glide through growth | Judder and jam, leaving ragged cuts |
| Tools that'll last another decade | Rust spreading, handles loose, falling apart |
What Gets Serviced
🔧 Typical Spring Service
| Tool Type | Service Work |
|---|---|
| Spades/Forks/Hoes | Sharpen edge, remove rust, check handle secure |
| Secateurs/Shears | Sharpen blades, oil pivot, adjust tension |
| Loppers | Sharpen, oil, check handles not splitting |
| Edging Tools | Sharpen edge, remove rust, check for cracks |
📦 You're Left With
- Tools that cut properly without fighting
- Rust removed and metal protected
- Moving parts freed up and smooth
- Honest advice on what needs replacing
Pricing Guide
| Tools To Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic set (4-6 tools) | 60-75 mins | £60 |
| Full shed service (8-12 tools) | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Single expensive item (Japanese pruners etc) | 30-45 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Badly neglected tools take longer. Replacement handles extra if needed.
Perfect Timing If...
✅ First gardening weekend - get tools ready before you start
✅ Inherited tools - previous owner's shed full of mystery implements
✅ Pruning season - sharp secateurs make all the difference
✅ Spring cleanup - time to sort out what you've actually got
Why Choose Us for Garden tools service spring in Exeter?
Tools properly sharpened for easier cutting
Rust removed and metal treated
Moving parts freed up and oiled
Honest assessment of what's worth keeping
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment
Look at what you've got. Some tools just need sharpening, some need rust removal, some need handles checking. I'll tell you honestly what's worth servicing and what's beyond saving.
Step 2: Service Work
Each tool gets appropriate treatment - sharpening for blades, rust removal, moving parts oiled, handles checked and tightened. Not a quick run over, proper service that makes them work right.
Step 3: Protection
Cleaned metal gets light oil coating to prevent rust returning. You'll get advice on storage and basic maintenance to keep them in good condition longer.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to service your own garden tools? Here's how:
🔧 Tools and materials you'll need
- File or sharpening stone (for spades, hoes)
- Diamond sharpening stone or tool (for secateurs, shears)
- Wire brush or wire wool
- WD-40 or similar penetrating oil
- Light machine oil or 3-in-1 oil
- Clean rags
- Bucket of sharp sand mixed with oil (optional - brilliant for cleaning)
🗡️ Sharpening different tools
- Spades/hoes: File the edge at existing angle, work from handle end forward
- Secateurs: Sharpen only the beveled side, keep the flat side flat
- Shears: Sharpen top side only, maintain the angle, work along whole blade
- Saws: Actually, don't - send pruning saws to proper saw sharpener or replace them
🦺 Rust removal
- Wire brush for heavy rust
- Wire wool and WD-40 for surface rust
- Soak badly rusted parts in vinegar overnight (old trick, works well)
- Once clean, protect with light oil coating
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Sharpening both sides of secateurs (only sharpen the beveled side)
- Wrong file angle - makes tools worse not better
- Over-sharpening until edge is too thin and weak
- Forgetting to oil after rust removal - rusts again immediately
- Not checking handles are secure before using tool
💡 Pro trick: Bucket filled with sharp sand mixed with oil - stick your spade in a few times after each use. Cleans off soil and rust-proofs in one go. Old market gardeners' trick. Works brilliantly, lasts for years.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌿 Quality old tools: That old Spear & Jackson spade from your grandad is worth servicing. Modern cheap tools from garden centers? Often not worth the effort - metal's too soft to hold an edge. I'll tell you honestly what's worth spending time on.
Timing: Spring service is traditional, but autumn works too - service tools before winter storage and they're ready next spring. Your choice of whether you want to start or end the season with sharp tools.
Replacement handles: If wooden handles are split or cracked, I can replace them (extra cost for handle). Sometimes makes sense, sometimes the tool's cheap enough to just replace entirely. I'll advise based on what you've got.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools can you service?
Pretty much any hand garden tools - spades, forks, hoes, shears, secateurs, pruning saws, loppers, edging tools, hatchets. I sharpen what needs sharpening, oil moving parts, remove rust, and get everything working smoothly again. Not lawnmowers or powered equipment though.
How sharp can you get them?
Properly sharp - not razor-blade silly sharp, but sharp enough to cut plant stems cleanly instead of crushing them, and slice through soil instead of bouncing off it. Secateurs and shears get the most difference - you'll actually notice how much easier they are to use.
Can you fix broken tools or just sharpen them?
Basic fixes yes - new handles, tightening loose parts, replacing bolts. But if the metal itself is cracked or the tool's genuinely knackered, I'll tell you honestly it's time to replace rather than waste money on repair. Some old tools are brilliant, some are just old.
Do I need to clean them first?
Nope - bring them as they are. Covered in mud, rusty, whatever. Part of the service is cleaning and rust removal. Though if they're properly caked in old cement or tar, that's a different conversation.
How long does a typical service take?
Basic set (spade, fork, couple of shears, secateurs) is usually an hour. If you've got a full shed of tools all needing work, or seriously rusty items, it takes longer. I'll give you a better estimate when I see what you've got.
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