I was wondering if I could get some opinions from those who use a 6" or 8" bench grinder to sharpen their blades. What kind of grinding wheel do you find does the best job, or what combination of wheels?
Thanks
Thanks
Do you sharpen blades w/bench grinder?
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Phazeekus
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I dont use a bench grinder, but I do use a angle grinder. I use a heavy stone when blade is bad, then I dress with a 60 grit sanding wheel.
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It's not a good idea to sharpen blades on a bench grinder, you cannot keep the blade angle correct even if your "really" good. Also the blades will become off balance, and reduce spindle life, we use a Wells RGB Professional 3/4hp blade sharpener with Cermaic wheel total cost $500.00 with ceramic wheel option, it has a base to hold the blade flat while sharpening, and a dial that gives you exact blade angle's <>20%. Local dealers here in USAcharges aprox $20.00 per blade less in Canada though with a weak dollar?. You can see a return on your investment within a season: one your blades will be sharper than you can ever get with a bench grinder or angle grinder. Two the blades will stay sharper longer, resulting in reduced engine wear and fuel consumption. The RGB blade sharpener cuts concave, this causes the grass clippings to be thrown up into the deck, and then back down to be cut again. Finally your in control of the quality of the sharpening,this is quick with a Professional sharpner and repeatable sharpened blade angles evey time.
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Foound a finer grit works faster than a coarser grit. Keep blade moving or it'll hot spot and lose it's temper.
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Yeah, I try not to turn them blue. I have been sharpening blades with hand tools for a long time, I will probably never by a specialized machine.
I use a bench grinder but I'm not happy with it. I always screw up the angles and it happens so slowly I don't notice it until I buy a new blade. I also think I take off way too much steel each time I sharpen it. I just wish those blade machines were cheaper and/or I had more lawns. I've felt like picking up one for the longest time.
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bill8379, we all start somewhere, are you using commercial grade blades?, because they hold their edge much better, you almost cannot sharpen them with a bench grinder or angle grinder. There are different level of grinding wheels hardness the ceramic is the only one that will sharpen Oregon Gator blades efficiently/quick, without going through a grinding wheel each season.
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I've been using a bench grinder for a while and it hasn't done a good job at all. I need to look hard at a pro grinder.
Where is a real good place to shop for the RGB line of grinders
Thanks
rgb
Where is a real good place to shop for the RGB line of grinders
Thanks
rgb
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131 Posts
I use a 4 1/2 inch angle air grinder with a 80 or a 120 grit depends on how the blade looks nics etc... To check for balance I went the cheap way and made a level wood stand with a nail hammered in the side. I can hang the blade on the nail to see if I need to take any off either side. Has worked for me for several years with no problems. :waving:
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Yup, those little handheld 4.5" angle grinders are likely the best solution for starting out, you can get them for 10-15 dollars at Harbor Freight and gtg.
That's how I did it for many years, I do have an Oregon 1.5hp 12" RBG today but I did the hand held thing for more than a few years.
I am sure I sharpened more blades with the hand held than I have with the RBG so far, lets put it that way.
Works great either way, but don't do bench grinders.
That's how I did it for many years, I do have an Oregon 1.5hp 12" RBG today but I did the hand held thing for more than a few years.
I am sure I sharpened more blades with the hand held than I have with the RBG so far, lets put it that way.
Works great either way, but don't do bench grinders.
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Nosparkplugs,
I just Googled the grinder you mentioned [ not much came up] and I'm very interested in learning more about this unit. More info appreciated. Do you offer this blade sharpening service to other LCOs in your area?
Also how do you balance the blades? A static balance is not the same as a dynamic balance. A blade can be perfectly balanced statically but as rpm increase from zero it can become progressively more unbalanced as speed increases. I know this isn't a NASA space launch but having it done right is the way to go.
The local mower shop uses a grinder complete with hot spots. :hammerhead:
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should you sand the blades after sharpening with grinder
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I've used a bench grinder for 20 years and have never had any problems. Would I like a $500 grinder? Yes. Will I spend $500? No.
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Use of a bench grinder depends on the skill of the operator. Key thing is not to let the blade get too hot. That's what the water bucket next to it is for. Same thing applies to hand sharpening drill bits. Some people just can't do it right while others can.
Hey thanks for all the replies guys! OK here's the thing, I'd love to get a professional sharpener, specifically I want a Magnamatic but it just isn't going to happen this year, maybe next, we'll see. I do have a magnamatic balancer so balancing isn't an issue. I've been using an angle grinder but I haven't been happy with my results. I picked up a brand new 8" Dewalt bench grinder for a good price, it has adjustable little aluminum tables beside each wheel, I figured I could rig something up on top of those like, a longer piece of board or something to slide the blade along and actually maybe keep my angle a little better than I did with an angle grinder. If it doesn't work I'll go back to the angle grinder but those are my only two options unfortunately. For those with a professional sharpener, what type of grinding wheel do they use on them, and do you think I could I possibly find something similar in an 8" wheel for a bench grinder? Otherwise does everyone agree that an 80-120 grit wheel is best? Regardless if it's angle or bench? Thanks again.
I use a bench grinder as well, and with great success. The main issue I have is one of my 21" mower's a Snapper with NINJA blades so it has a second blade type thing at the end of the blade. Anyone have a similar blade and figure out a way to work around it besides using hand tools?
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that's the grinder i've been using the last year or so -it's much better than the 6" sears one I had- i use the rougher wheel to get out any nicks and finish with a pass or 2 on the finer grit.
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