Tool Sharpening
Bring two or three unsharpened tools along with you to our Troed yr Harn campus and learn how to make them sharp again rather than replace them!
Types of tools you can bring include sickles, axes, slashers, billhooks, secateurs, and scythes.
This course is run in partnership with Tools for Self Reliance (TFSR) Cymru.
What will I do and learn?
- Learn how to sharpen and maintain edged hand tools
- Discover how to work safely; use appropriate tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) to sharpen hand tools
- Don’t create waste – learn about what makes a quality tool when purchasing
- Understand the appropriate use of grinders and angle grinders
- Learn the appropriate use of a range of sharpening stones and the difference between oil and wet stones
Key Information
Date – Saturday 9th April 2022 from 9am – 3pm
Location – at our Troed yr Harn Campus – Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF
Our campus is a car free site, and we encourage participants to meet at 9am at Talgarth carpark (LD3 0PG) to walk up to the campus ready to start the course for 10am. This is a moderate uphill walk of 35-40 minutes.
What you need – You should wear suitable, weather-dependent PPE including gloves, and good, sturdy boots with steel toes if possible.
Please bring a water bottle and a packed lunch for a picnic at the farm.
Bring along any tools you have that need sharpening!
Tea and coffee facilities available free of charge.
Age limit – You MUST be 16 years old or above to take part in this course.
Please note that as you will be bringing sharp objects, the tool blades you bring should be wrapped safely and labelled with your name. All tools will be transported up to the farm by one vehicle so as not to cause any risk on the walk up.
Who will I learn from?
Tony Care
Tony worked with TFSR Cymru in Crickhowell for 40 years, and during that time he has encountered just about every type and condition of tool needing varying amounts of restoration. He has had extensive experience of teaching and working with volunteers of all ages and capabilities, to carry out this refurbishing work.
TFSR Cymru collects old and unwanted hand tools from all over the UK. Volunteers clean, repair, and sharpen them, and send tool kits to grassroots community groups in several African countries. They also refurbish a wide variety of other tools which are sold here in Wales. At present TFSR Cymru concentrates its efforts on Tanzania.
How much does it cost?
Powys residents go free! This is a community day course and is free to people living in Powys. With thanks to the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Our general admission tickets cost £60 for this course. We have some concessionary tickets available at a reduced rate for students, or those in receipt of means-tested benefits (you may be asked for proof).
If you reside in Powys and would like to contribute, please consider purchasing a priced ticket!
If you are purchasing a ticket, this is non-refundable. Depending on the uptake of the course we hold the right to cancel it, in which case you will be refunded.
If you are a Powys resident, you are eligible for a free ticket. If all of the allocated free tickets have gone, please contact us on info@blackmountainscollege.uk.
Please note that spaces on this course are limited. We operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
BOOK HERE
Accessibility
This course is rated as 3 (least accessible) on our scale of accessibility. Read more about our accessibility policy, T&C’s, and book your tickets directly via Eventbrite.
