How to Renew Your Garden Tool Handles
Updated: Jun. 19, 2019How to restore your garden tools
Tool Handle Restoration
Here’s a tip sent in by Ken Werner, one of our field editors: “Each spring I sand our gardening tool handles with 120-grit sandpaper and then rub a coat of boiled linseed oil on them. The handles stay smooth throughout the gardening season. Then I do it again before putting the tools away in the fall.” The tools look terrific, and the smooth oiled surface resists cracking and is much easier on the hands. If you’re more like Oscar than Felix and your tool handles have never been sanded, they’re probably as rough and worn as ours were. In that case, use a random orbital sander (Photo 1). You’ll still have to hand-sand the spots you can’t reach with the sander, but it’ll save you a lot of effort.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
- Orbital sander
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
- Boiled linseed oil
- Gloves
- Rags
- Sandpaper
- Small container
