Sharpening Blades

[Bob55]

What is an easy and fast way to sharpen mower blades at home? I have a 6" grinder is there an attachment you can use or some other tool /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bob

 

[ALABAMA_KID]

I USE A 4.5" ANGLE GRINDER WITH A FLAP WHEEL. 6" WITH A GRINDING DISC WILL WORK WELL. MAYBE DRESS THE EDGE WITH A FILE.

 

[Bird]

Easy and fast? I'm not sure such a thing exists. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've used my 6" bench grinder, a 4.5" angle grinder, and occasionally finished the edge on the belt sander.

 

[OhioGuy]

I also use the bench grinder. I dont think there is as much concern with balancing on these blades, just take a similar pass on both ends. It's not like sharpening scissors or a knife, you're just trying to put a "decent" edge back on them. They get pretty blunt with a lot of cutting.

Most blades have an wing/angle opposite the cutting edge, you can use that as a guide (sort of) to approach the griinder at the correct angle.

Good Luck.
Curt

 

[escavader]

I use a harbor freight el cheapo 4.5 hand angle grinder[actually i like it better than my makita].Try not to get them too hot ,put them in a vise,try to keep original angles,also try to keep each end exactly the same size for balance. remove wire edge and do final touches with a flat file,
T hey work as good as new,unfortunetly every body and their brother wants me to do there blades,more so with the ones with the spiral shaped mulching blades
ALAN

 

[GaryE]

I just use an angle grinder. After many years of trying to make them perfect, I have found that just a clean up is all it takes. No need to be perfect. Clean and sharp is all it takes, /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[kubotabilly]

Bob55,
I bought my Foley-belsaw blade sharpner quite a few years ago so it looks alittle different than the new models, but it works great. I mow 6-7 acres a week, so I sharpen my blades about 5 times a season. Plus I do custom sharpening for anyone who drops their blades off at the shop. I sharpen blade sizes that range from my push mower to my 7 ft. woods finish mower. The sharpeners are alittle pricey /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif, but well worth it. Here's a link.
http://www.saw-toolsharpening.com/lawnmowerSharpening01.html

Bill

 

[Bob55]

Thanks for all the info. I was hopping to find a attachment for a grinder. If I buy a sharpener form Foley I would have a LOT of lot of happy neighbors. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Thanks again for all the info,
Bob

 

[Jagmandave]

I'll weigh in with those that use a hand grinder to flatten out the nicks, then grind back to the angle, and I finish with a flat broadfile, you'll get a better edge and it'll last longer. I'd also have to say sharp blades make a real diffference in the quality of your cut and it lessens the load on the mower considerably too.
I find the bench grinder is harder to use, cause the blade interferes with the grinder's motor, so it's hard to get a consistant cut across the entire edge.

 

[Soundguy]

For big mowers I use a 4" angle grinder.. for lawn mowers.. I use a little blade sharpener that the hardware store sells for 5$.. chucks into a power drill and has a stone and angle gauge built in.

Soundguy