Household Repairs Bottom rough, rusted. Remove rust by rubbing with liquid rust-remover. Then, after removing or pulling back cutting blade, polish bottom with fine steel wool. To smooth out scratches, rub with emery cloth.

Blade dull, nicked. Here's a tricky job. You can use a grinding wheel, but it is safer to work on a large (about 2" wide) carborundum stone. The blade must be held firmly at an angle of about 25°. You can buy a special blade holder or simply cut a block of wood to the proper angle. Hold blade against this and at right angles to the long side of the stone. Then move blade up and down the stone. Sharpen first on the rough side of the stone; finish on the smooth side. When job is done, turn blade over so that beveled edge is up; lay it flat on the smooth side of the stone, and move it sidewise several times.

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May 23, 2012