Best stone grit for sharpening blades?

CoachLinz · Jun 21, 2003

I only have money for a cheap bench grinder for now. I was out looking and there were 2 I saw at a low enough price. 1 has a single 120 grit stone that is approx. 1 1/2" wide. The other has 2 stones - 36 grit and 60 grit - that are each about 3/4" wide. I can buy other stones (coarser or finer) for either one. So ,my question is - what grit is correct for sharpening mower blades? What grit stones are you guys using.

Please don't recommend other, more expensive options. I know there are better machines to do it, but this is all I can afford right now. Next year, I will upgrade.

Grassmechanic · Jun 21, 2003

It's been a while since I've sharpened blades (out of the mowing end of the business), but I believe 120 grit is too coarse. I used a ruby wheel, but i forget what grit it was. Hopefully, someone else can help shed light on this.

Mike

CoachLinz · Jun 21, 2003

OK. If the 120 is too coarse, then the other 2 are definitely out (lower number=coarser stone). Anybody else know for sure?

TLS · Jun 21, 2003

Buy a 4 1/2" hand held angle grinder.

Put blade in vise, clamp down.

And grind away.

Only thing a bench grinder is good for is to put a wire wheel on to clean the blade prior to sharpening and balancing. On the other end I have a fine grit stone to dress the back side of the blade if needed.

If you plan to be in this business, invest in a dedicated blade sharpener. Go out and get a 0% intrest credit card and put it on there!? But you don't want to hear this, right!?

Bottom line, if all you can afford is a $ 75 grinder, get a hand held angle grinder.

grassdaddy · Jun 21, 2003

Have you priced blade sharpening in your area?A local hardware store here charges 2.00 each.they do a better job than I can,I have a benchgrinder,4"angle grinder,a dremel tool,a vise and a half dozen files and still can't do a good job. The Lesco dealer does them 3 fo 7.00 and they are fantastic,twice as good as hardware store, 10x better than me.

Did I mention I'm saving for a good sharpener??

TLS · Jun 21, 2003

But for $2/blade, Id have them do it too!

Most are $5 to 7 and don't do nearly as good a job as I can.

Navig8r · Jun 21, 2003

I use an angle grinder and a big file...... the grinder is only used when the file can't restore the edge...... oh yeah, keep a wire brush handy to clean the file.... makes a big difference.
I have used a blade grinder, and they do work exactly as they're designed to.............. I just can't swing the expense right now.......maybe after some fall clean-up ca$h!.......... ready for next year.

steve225 · Jun 21, 2003

Use the coarse stone 60 grit.
Steve Snider

Strongmd · Jun 21, 2003

I have a magnamatic. LOVE IT!.
I can get a perfect edge in less than 1 minute per blade.
Only way to go. Even a not-so-bright employee can't screw it up.

lawnMaster5000 · Jun 22, 2003

I am not exactly sure, but i think one of the dealers around here charges homeowners $15 per blade for sharpening.

Again not sure, but can't they buy a new blade for $20?

MOW ED · Jun 22, 2003

Sorry bout bein a smart a.. but I can't resist...
this one is gonna go over a lot of the new peoples heads but the old dawgs know what I mean.

If you want grit then you need the Lawrence Stone. or the Larry Flynt..

Thats enuf. Its late and I am leaving now.

hunter · Jun 22, 2003

try a 36 grit. Less time to sharpen and keep the blade at a 40 degree angle.

Envy Lawn Service · Jun 22, 2003

I don't know what to tell you about the grit. I'm not worth a **** at using grinders. But I grew up in the sticks. So I've sharpened a lot of stuff over the years with a file. After a few minutes and some good old fashioned elbow grease, I can lay a heck of an edge on a blade with a ******* file. I don't know wht grit that would be equal too, but it works well for me. I have one set that has a flatter angle than the others. When I'm finished with those, I have to be careful handleing them. I've cut myself with them twice already.

Doc Pete · Jun 22, 2003

Originally posted by CoachLinz
I only have money for a cheap bench grinder for now. I was out looking and there were 2 I saw at a low enough price. 1 has a single 120 grit stone that is approx. 1 1/2" wide. The other has 2 stones - 36 grit and 60 grit - that are each about 3/4" wide. I can buy other stones (coarser or finer) for either one. So ,my question is - what grit is correct for sharpening mower blades? What grit stones are you guys using.

Well, I can see why some guy's don't sharpen their own blades or complain about how long it takes, most of them are stupid. There is only "ONE" grit size......24, got that, 24, not the coarse 36, but 24. OK? That's 24. Gees, just look in the catolog and it will tell you 24 is the best grit. This is a no brainer. Everything else is too fine and too slow. Also, a "Dresser tool" is a must, otherwise the wheels will load up, plus a fresh dressed wheel will cut faster.
Also, with 24 grit there's less chance of heating and burning the blade, and you can sharpen blades in about 2 minutes, with balancing.

hunter · Jun 22, 2003

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com
There is only "ONE" grit size......24, got that, 24, not the coarse 36, but 24. OK? That's 24. Gees, just look in the catolog and it will tell you 24 is the best grit.

Not much differnece between 36 and 24 grit. And 24 is a lot courser than 36. Been using 36 and no problem and that on a 6" grinder. Avaerage blade on takes appox 2-3min and thier done. We all have our own ways right or wrong. Just knows what works for me. That's a big NO brainer. It WORKS.

Doc Pete · Jun 22, 2003

Originally posted by hunter
Not much differnece between 36 and 24 grit. And 24 is a lot courser than 36. Been using 36 and no problem and that on a 6" grinder. Avaerage blade on takes appox 2-3min and thier done. We all have our own ways right or wrong. Just knows what works for me. That's a big NO brainer. It WORKS.

As you say 24 "is" a lot coarser than 36. So, I wonder why your #24 stone doesn't cut better than your #36???? For me, the 24 allows a lot more pressure to be applied, taking off more material while also decreasing the possibility of burning.
Pete

steve225 · Jun 22, 2003

good post Pete.
You're correct more metal less heat the coarser the stone.
Now where can I get a 24 grit stone ?

Envy Lawn Service · Jun 23, 2003

To begin, just for the record **** = cr@p and ******* = b@stard as in b@stard file. I didn't know that cr@p and the actual name of a file was considered offensive or whatever

Anyways, I bought myself a 4 1/2" angle grinder today. I figured I'd try to learn to use one. Is the 24 grit the best to use on it too?

DLCS · Jun 23, 2003

Originally posted by Envy Lawn Service
To begin, just for the record **** = cr@p and ******* = b@stard as in b@stard file. I didn't know that cr@p and the actual name of a file was considered offensive or whatever

Anyways, I bought myself a 4 1/2" angle grinder today. I figured I'd try to learn to use one. Is the 24 grit the best to use on it too?

Don't use a grinding wheel on the angle grinder. You need to get yourself a flap sanding disc. Will not heat the blade up as much and will not remove as much metal.

Envy Lawn Service · Jun 23, 2003

Originally posted by DLCS
Don't use a grinding wheel on the angle grinder. You need to get yourself a flap sanding disc. Will not heat the blade up as much and will not remove as much metal.

I have several of those, what grit?

Best stone grit for sharpening blades?

CoachLinz

Grassmechanic

CoachLinz

TLS

grassdaddy

TLS

Navig8r

steve225

Strongmd

lawnMaster5000

MOW ED

hunter

Envy Lawn Service

Doc Pete

hunter

Doc Pete

steve225

Envy Lawn Service

DLCS

Envy Lawn Service

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