JD X300 mower blade sharpening

[Chazbo007]

Does anyone know of a professional lawn mower blade sharpener that can be purchased for personal use?

 

[jinman]

You may not like my answer, but most people I've seen just use a bench grinder. I don't know of a dedicated machine used just for mower blade sharpening. Some folks use a balancing tool to show whether they need to remove more metal off one side or the other for perfect balance. But like I said, the shops I've seen just use a bench grinder.

 

[Chazbo007]

Thanks for you response. I know that most individuals use a bench grinder but I remember seeing a shop that use a machine where they fasten the blade to the machine and the machine uniformly sharpens the blade. It's been a while ago and that business is no longer around. I'll keep looking.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

an angle grinder works well also. Northern Tool has a small grinder wheel for mower blades that attaches to a 3/8" drill. I take off what I think I need and then stick a bolt through the hole to check for balance. Good luck.

 

[Scooby074]

How much you want to spend?

There is the Oregon Blade sharpener, ranging in price from $650 to $1000 depending on where you look.

12" OREGON BLADE SHARPENER GRINDER 1.5 HP MOTOR NEW | eBay

Or the cadillac Magnamatic 8000 for $1200. They also make a cheaper model if your only sharpening straight blades. Its about $650
MAG-8000 Universal Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener | Magna-Matic Corporate Site

 

[Chazbo007]

I've looked at both the Oregon grinders and the smaller Dremel rotary tool but I was hoping there was a grinder made specifically for rotary lawn mower blades (and only rotary blades) that didn't cost an arm and leg. Maybe I need to design one.

 

[beenthere]

If going into the business of sharpening, then a machine makes sense.

But for a single mower deck, a right angle grinder with a 4" diam wheel works great.
One can't invest too much in a grinder as new blades don't cost that much to offset the cost of buying new. If stones are hit, then too much has to be ground off to get a good sharp blade.
But the right angle grinder works well for me if just normal touch up sharpening is needed. Rock the blades or catch a piece of steel buried, then it is time for new blades. Sometimes I just buy the package of three, and only replace one if bent or rocked bad.

 

[jenkinsph]

If going into the business of sharpening, then a machine makes sense.

But for a single mower deck, a right angle grinder with a 4" diam wheel works great.
One can't invest too much in a grinder as new blades don't cost that much to offset the cost of buying new. If stones are hit, then too much has to be ground off to get a good sharp blade.
But the right angle grinder works well for me if just normal touch up sharpening is needed. Rock the blades or catch a piece of steel buried, then it is time for new blades. Sometimes I just buy the package of three, and only replace one if bent or rocked bad.

Pretty much the way I see it. ^^^^^

I use a 4" grinder or a bench grinder for mine.

 

[Chazbo007]

What kind of 4" right angle grinder do you have?

 

[beenthere]

I have a DeWalt. But there are several brands.

 

[Chazbo007]

Thanks. I'll keep thinking and looking until next lawn season.

 

[manwith2jd]

I prefer angle grinder over bench grinder and prefer "flap" sanding disc v.s. grinding wheel. Less aggressive and more control. Works well on hand tools like shovels, hoes, etc. Hand file type results.

 

[jenkinsph]

I prefer angle grinder over bench grinder and prefer "flap" sanding disc v.s. grinding wheel. Less aggressive and more control. Works well on hand tools like shovels, hoes, etc. Hand file type results.

Actually I prefer a 12" mil ******* file for things like hoes and light touch ups, not as much chance of overheating the metal and loosing the temper.

This thread reminds me (unfortunately) that I lent a so called "friend" my 10" 1 hp Delta bench grinder to use a few days and he left town with it. I need to get another one similar to it but that will be several hundred bucks.

 

[beenthere]

Actually I prefer a 12" mil ******* file for things like hoes and light touch ups, not as much chance of overheating the metal and loosing the temper.

This thread reminds me (unfortunately) that I lent a so called "friend" my 10" 1 hp Delta bench grinder to use a few days and he left town with it. I need to get another one similar to it but that will be several hundred bucks.

OUCH!!
That is sad that you lost a good grinder.

I too use the hand file for most tools, but changed to the angle grinder for speed and quick touch up. But do have to watch the heat and it can happen very fast.

At one time, I built a blade sharpening system that consisted of an electric motor with an 8" diam fine grinding stone on an arbor. I cut a slot in a mounting board for the grinding wheel to drop into that also served as a table to support the blade. Then would hand drag the blade past the wheel on its downward side.
This system worked well for a very consistent angle grind, but was getting to be a pain to setup each time. After using the angle grinder, haven't hauled out the better system.

 

[jenkinsph]

OUCH!!
That is sad that you lost a good grinder.

I too use the hand file for most tools, but changed to the angle grinder for speed and quick touch up. But do have to watch the heat and it can happen very fast.

At one time, I built a blade sharpening system that consisted of an electric motor with an 8" diam fine grinding stone on an arbor. I cut a slot in a mounting board for the grinding wheel to drop into that also served as a table to support the blade. Then would hand drag the blade past the wheel on its downward side.
This system worked well for a very consistent angle grind, but was getting to be a pain to setup each time. After using the angle grinder, haven't hauled out the better system.

I use a small 6" grinder with the rubberized wheel on one side and a fine stone on the other for small tools too, but for a cheap lawnmower blade the 4" angle grinder is good enuff for me. I stick a hawksaw blade in the top of the vise and check the balance while I am sharpening the blades, if it centers close I am good to go.

 

[DCTCJT]

Believe it or not, I still sharpen mine with a good file... but it takes a LONG time. I'm going to invest in one of these angle grinders.