Question about blade sharpening

[Matt Hermann]

I'm 16 and have a little lawn mowing buisness. I pay to get all my blades sharpened, but i would like to do it myself. Any tips? i think i will do it with a file, will it work good? i could use my dad's grinder but not sure if he would like me using that. Any tips for manually sharpening it or tips for using the grinder? Thanks in advance

[fredmullegun]

It will work with a hand file but it will take forever. Blades are pretty hard so they can keep their edge.

[Littleriver1]

a lot of people use a hand held grander (angle grander). The best way is to use a blade grander that is made for that use. Any thing less than an angle grander will take some serious time. You can get a cheep angle grander at lowes that will work just fine. The angle your looking for is 30 degree. Don't over heat the blade too much. learn the way we did. By doing it. PS: watch where the sparks are going or you'll burn down the old mans house.

[Nosmo]

Use the angle grinder but try taking the grinding wheel off and use a 36 or 40 grit flap sanding wheel. A flap sander will cut slower but will not turn the blade blue if you don't hold it in one place very long. Find some way to check the blade for balance afterwards.

Nosmo

[MikeKle]

i use a 4" angle grinder, with a cut off wheel, I always run the wheel over the underside of the blade first, just to get any imperfections on that side, then I angle the grinder as to keep the same factory angle on there best as I can, it works great for me, I dont see the need for a big expensive blade grinder, those things are like $800, and up!!! As long as the blades are sharp, you are good to go, I dont even bother balancing mine, balancing is only needed if you have a small engine and mower, not really a factor on these huge mowers we use with 23 and more hp! Its the same thing as balancing the blades on a 6ft bushhog, whats the point?!

[BigGreen1]

Here you go. A 4-1/2 angle grinder and a flap disc. The disc will last you all year. Don't buy Harbor freight discs they last a week or so.My Ryobi grinder didn't last a year. They do a great job without overheating your blades. I sharpen every other day and this is a game changer. I keep a vise grip on the truck to clamp onto the trailer to sharpen them.


http://www.lowes.com/pd_178823-70-DW8309_4294859122_4294937087?productId=1207175&Ns=p_product_price|1&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_Sandpaper_4294859122_4294937087_?rpp=15$No=150$Ns=p_product_price|1


http://www.lowes.com/pd_60502-70-D28...roduct_price|1

[DaveVB]

I use a flap wheel 40 grit, works great. I always go across the angled surface very lightly to check my angle; if it shines up the full width of the surface I know I am at the right angle, then start sharpening.

[Robert Pruitt]

i use a belt sander with a 60 grit belt. try keeping the cutting edge with the same angle as the sail.

[plc87]

I use a belt sander with paper that is 80 grit. Like everyone else said make sure you keep the same angle as best as you can. I try not to sharpen the blades to a razor edge because it seems like they dull faster, just my opinion. I tried using an angle grinder but I just must really suck at it compared to everyone else cause I couldn't keep the same angle very easily for some reason. With the belt sander it's much easier to keep the same angle i thought... good luck kid!

[ewemule]

Should I sharpen in a manner that grinds toward the blade or away ? Sometimes I use the hand file on "fairly sharp" blades and work the metal back into the blade. Is that the correct direction or does it really matter ?
Marty