Felco secatauer Maintenance and strip down

Ive put this together to show how to strip and clean them, They are very easy to work on and can be stripped, cleaned oiled and sharpened in about 20 mins to a half hour. The difference after you've done this is amazing, they feel like new! First you need the following:

Hot soapy water

The felco adjusting key or suitable sized spanners

A sharpener or diamond file (I use a swissistor sharpener)

Some wet and dry paper I use around 320 grit, also maybe a scrubbing brush.

lastly some grease and oil. I use red fluid grease as it works well although any medium grease will do.



1.My Felcos are the No 7s with the revolving handle and this pulls off, Next up undo the two bolts, a length of cord on the key gives extra leverage if the bolts are stiff:



2.Undo the central Nut and pull off the spring:



3.The bits:



4.Clean all the metal parts with the wet and dry, use it wet and remove all the old sap residue, lay the cleaned parts to dry on some kitchen towel



5.Clean the spring by bending it with the fore fingers and scrubbing it:



6.Next step is to oil all the bits.

7.Next, select the lower handle, the anvil and the longer bolt on the 7s and tighten the bolt to secure them:

***** Ignore this step on the 2s as they only have one bolt but fit the long bolt and toothed washer loosely as per step 16 then proceed with step 8 at the moment there is nothing for the toothed washer to engage with, you are simply securing the handle so don't tighten:



8.Next, the central bolt goes through the side of the top handle Assembly



9.Next , fit the blade to the top handle, it pushes on over the three pins:



10.Next, put a good smear of grease into the grease slot, this is important and keeps the mechanism smooth:



11.And the same thing on the anvil



12.Fit both handles together and put the kidney shaped washer on:



13.Next the retaining nut, spin this on loosely:



14.Next, oil the spring, open it by bending it with the fore fingers and drip oil over it:



15.Next step is to fit the spring and tighten the central nut using the key till its tight but the handles open and close without resistance.

16.Now close the handles, lock them closed and fit the longer bolt and toothed washer:





17.Finished:



I like my blades to be sharp enough to cut paper, the sharper you keep them the better the cuts you'll make and you'll save strain on the wrist. I sharpen the blades daily and do the full strip down once a month.

 

I have the rotating handle ones too, but even though I have decent sized "wicket keeper's hands" I still find they are very big to grasp and that the rotating-thing is perhaps a marginal improvement over a pair that would fit my hands snugly.

Perhaps you have a different experience Pro?

 

I have big hands and in particular long fingers so for me they are fine, Ive used the rotating handle type since I was given some aged 10 so I guess by now I'm used to it!

I own both the 2s and the 7s and aside from dead heading or topiary were the fine nose of the 2 is more 'snippy' I prefer the 7s as the cutting capacity is higher.

I find that I can easily cut up to just over an inch with the 7s putting me in to pruning saw territory for larger wood and negating the need for loppers, working professionally in large gardens this makes one less tool to carry and the felcos and silky saw I can carry on my belt.

 

you can get battery operated ones now - take all the effort out of pruning, plus no blisters!

 

"you can get battery operated ones now - take all the effort out of pruning, plus no blisters!"

I saw them in the garden centre last time I went. Do they actually make a difference, or is it just another gimmick to get people to buy "yet another consumer gadget" ?

 

hi, new to the forum and proffesional gardening. need a good set of secateurs. alot of people seem to use these Felco ones. would you all recomend these. also which is the best model. at the price they are, i don't want to have to buy half a dozen sets.

 

"need a good set of secateurs. alot of people seem to use these Felco ones. would you all recomend these"

Yup, I've had mine 20 years, maybe longer

"also which is the best model"

Something that is comfortable in your hand - try them in a garden centre would be my advice (rather than buying online)

 

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tool Care and Repair [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Make your job easier and more enjoyable and keep you tools in tip top shape with Felco accessories and Felco brand spare parts. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Felco makes a number of quality accessories that you'll love. Treat yourself to a genuine leather Felco holster for your pruner and lopper. These handy holders are an excellent quality product that will help you keep track of your tools and you'll look cool wearing them too! [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Keep your tools clean and free of debris. After each use, spray your tool blade using the Felco 980 universal lubricant and wipe clean with a soft cloth. It protects all types of metals against corrosion and provides an effective waterproof coating. This protects your tools and helps prevent the spread of disease from plant to plant. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]During tool maintenance and at the start and end of each season, apply a dab of Felco 990 grease. This will help protect your tool against wear and tear on moving parts and the special formula is designed for optimum protection against corrosion. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Felco owners agree, that one of the most important features about Felco tools is the freedom and convenience to replace virtually any piece of a tool as a regular part of maintenance. Lost a spring? Chipped a blade? Ripped a handle cover? Worn out shock absorbers? No problem, the Felco Store stocks all the parts you'll need to keep your Felco tools working like new.
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Found this piece of info using recommended Felco lubricants and accessories also.[/FONT]

[/FONT]

 

Pro Gard's post has lost its pictures, but I came across this excellent YouTube video on sharpening Felco secateurs which makes it look effortless

 

Thanks for that,I did mine today and works like new.thanks again.