Sharpening Lawn Mower Blades

JSMcustoms

JSMcustoms

Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
1,792
I know there's several ways to go about sharpening mower blades from files, sharpening stones and bench grinders (prefer not to use power tools for sharpening). What's the best way to go about getting this done? Can I simply use file along with one of the stones from my Spyderco Sharpmaker?
 
I personally wouldn't use any of my stones on my lawnmower blades. I'd just use the grinder.
 
I'd use my Dremel before I would the bench grinder. It seems safer to have the blade clamped down and stationary just in case.
 
I cut 40 yards a week and I rotate with 3 different sets of blades. Us a 4.5 angle grinder with a disc that is not very aggresive. Grass blade are chisel ground. Don't make the angle different than stock.
 
From working at a mower prepare service a grinder is the preferred method and is ok as long as you use quick passes and a consistent angle of about 35 degrees.
 
That's the other thing that had me concerned with using a grinder (keeping a consistent angle).
 
Buy a Work Sharp. I just did my blades last week, and it was awesome. It is basically a portable belt sander. I wouldn't sharpen good knives on this thing, but the price is worth it for lawn mower blades alone. Don't use the bench grinder, it will heat it up too much potentially. The Work Sharp flexes to the angle that is there, and you don't have to worry about that at all. The only thing is to hit the flat side of the blade and push the burr back and forth lightly until it is no more. Don't worry about making it crazy sharp like a knife, but the Work Sharp will grind out the knicks you will inevitably get during a season.
 
Yea, the Work Sharp looks like it would be perfect for this kind of thing. At $60-$70, it quickly pays for itself.
 
Go to Harbor Freight and get a $15 angle grinder and save money for more knives.
 
I have a work sharp and have sharpened my mower blades, hedge clippers, shovel, and a set of plant trimmers with it. It is ideal for this work, and can be used free hand. Contrary to what nccole said above, it is also great for sharpening knives if you use it correctly. I can get knives scary sharp with mine, and have done so. It is great for kitchen knives, and I use it freehand without the guides for smaller folders. Quite a tool for $70.

Blessings,

Omar
 
It works for knives, but I rounded the tip on my Sage 2, and did not want to use it enough on my knives to get good at it. That's why I said that, it gets them really sharp, but the Sharpmaker is much better suited for me. Sharpening my lawn mower blades was why I bought it, so I am perfectly happy with it. Even if it didn't have the tendency to round the tips of knives, it removes too much metal to be used as an all the time sharpener. The Sharpmaker is much better for touch up work.
 
I just use a big single cut file with a big length of 1.25" dowel for a handle. Gets it done very quickly.
 
Yeah I generally use files for sharpening garden tools, seems to work fine & less likely to overheat the lower-quality steel or to accidentally mess up the angle.
 
I have mowed a lot of grass myself, and worked for a lawn service for about 4 years, I found a bench grinder works the best. There is really no point in putting a fine razor edge on a lawnmower blade, after the first lawn it will be pretty dull, plus it increases the the chance of chipping. I have spent a lot of time on a blade using a bench grinder then a file, and it doesn't make any noticeable difference in the way it cuts from just using the bench grinder. I agree you should use the stock angle on the blade, and only use a coarse wheel if you are trying to repair a very dull blade.
 
Another vote for the angle grinder. I clamp the blade down horizontally in a work-mate style bench vise and it's so easy to keep the angle correct.
 
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