QA

How To Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades With A Grinder

Can you sharpen mower blades with a grinder?

There are several good ways to sharpen lawn mower blades, but one of the quickest and easiest methods is with an angle grinder, an inexpensive, versatile hand-held power tool.

What is the correct angle to sharpen a lawn mower blade?

Sharpen the edge of the blade using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a 45-degree angle. Sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge. Push the file in one direction along the blade. Don’t saw back and forth.

Do you sharpen both sides of a mower blade?

Always sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge; this will give you the longest-lasting edge on the blade. Note: The file cuts in one direction only, on the push stroke; you’ll feel it bite into the steel on the blade.

Can a mower blade be too sharp?

Mower blades should be aggressively sharp, but not as sharp as a razor’s edge. You should be able to touch the blade with your hand without getting cut. Contrary to popular belief, a lawn mower blade with a razor sharp edge will not cut grass better.

Should mulching blades be sharp?

Mulching blades are supposed to be sharp so they can cut through grass, leaves, and other debris. Sharpen the mulching blades with a file until they easily cut through the grass, then tighten the blades onto the lawnmower’s deck. The blades should be sharpened twice per season.

How often should mower blades be sharpened?

Typically, most home owners just need to sharpen blades twice per season. One good sharpening at the beginning of the season and one around the middle of the mowing season should be good. If you mow over debris such as sticks or rocks, however, you may need to sharpen your blades more than that.

What is the difference between mulching blades and regular blades?

Standard blades, sometimes referred to as 2-in-1 blades, are designed to cut grass and then either discharge or bag the clippings. Mulching blades, also known as 3-in-1 blades, can be used to bag, discharge, or mulch grass clippings. Mulching blades feature more curves and an increased cutting edge.

What size bench grinder is best for sharpening mower blades?

This 8-inch bench grinder is a good option for DIYers who have a lot of metal hand tools, mower blades, or tiller blades to sharpen.

How do you tell the top and bottom of a mulching blade?

Look at both sides of the mulching blade. Most blades have the word “bottom” stamped on them, or they have a model number imprinted onto the underside. Whether a word or a number, that side of the mulching blade must face the ground after it is installed and the mower is standing upright.

How do you sharpen a lawnmower blade without removing it?

How to sharpen lawn mower blades without removing them? Collect the required tools. Seal the gas tank. Tilt the mower and place the wooden block under it on the other side to give it support. Clean the blade with water and a steel brush. Use the angle grinder or flat-file to sharpen the cutting edge slowly. Lower the mower.

Which side of a lawn mower blade faces up?

The wings of the lawn mower blade will be oriented up toward the mower deck and any writing on the blade will likely be facing away from the deck. If the blade bolt comes with a washer, its concave side will be facing the blade.

Should you sharpen new mower blades?

As mentioned above, brand new lawn mower blades do not need to be sharpened because they are always sharpened during manufacturing. At the very least, your mower blades will benefit from being sharpened once at the beginning of each year.

How much does it cost to get a lawn mower blade sharpened?

Depending on the type of your mower, you can expect to pay anywhere between 20 dollars to 60 dollars. If it’s a reel lawn mower you might not even need to take the blades off the mower and sharpen them while they’re attached.

What tools do I need to sharpen a lawn mower blade?

There are few different ways to sharpen lawnmower blades, including using a bench grinder, hand file, rotary tool, or angle grinder. But here’s a quicker, easier and more accurate method: use a drill and sharpening stone that’s specifically designed for putting a cutting edge back onto dull lawnmower blades.

How long do mower blades last?

Depending on your usage lawnmower blades can last at least 200 hours or longer. If the grass is unevenly cut, or a hard object is hit check the condition of the blade. Mower blades normally need to be sharpened every 25 hours, but when the blade is damaged it needs to be replaced.

Can you use mulching blades with side discharge?

Mulching blades are sometimes called “all purpose” or “3-in-1” blades because you can use them to mulch, bag, or side discharge. Standard blades are called 2-in-1 blades because you can use them to either bag or side discharge the grass. Can I use my current mower to recycle my grass clippings? Yes.