The "best" way to sharpen blades is with a dedicated blade sharpening machine, but not all of us can justify that expense. I use a bench grinder and try to sharpen before they get really dull. Otherwise, it effects the cut quality and takes much more effort to restore the blade edge. I'd say my blades normally don't go more than 6 or 8 hours at the most without being sharpened and I try to keep a sharp spare set ready all the time in case I don't have time to stop and sharpen.

 

Their are a few post on here on this very topic, search for them, they will answer your questions and then some.

 

We sharpen blades everyday

 

The "best" way to sharpen blades is with a dedicated blade sharpening machine, but not all of us can justify that expense.

I dont know how you cant justify the initial expense! The amount of time saved on daily maintenance, ease of use, extended blade lifespan etc make a dedicated sharpener a very good purchase! Its up there with air compressor, a good impact wrench and air gun. If your in the business long term, get shop tools that make life easier and saves money long term.

Heres a vid. Excuse the talking etc, seemed a good idea at the time...

 

If you practice enough a hand grinder will do a great job. And for how often every day.
We usually sharpen blades on service day. We sharpen like 50 blades at a time from different machines and every morning we switch them.:waving:

 

Hello All,

Just posting so any new people to lawnsite have our website link.

Aside from our equipment we do provide educational information at our site about lawnmower blade tip geometry and information about proper balance.

If you are not in the market for a lawnmower blade sharpener, we generally recommend a good machinist metal file over bench grinders or angle grinders. Simply due to the fact that with those motorized options where you "free hand" the angle - it is very difficult to maintain any consistency of the angle.
So while it is slower, the file will allow you much better control of the quality.

www.magna-matic.com

Thank you,

 

Hello All,

Just posting so any new people to lawnsite have our website link.

Aside from our equipment we do provide educational information at our site about lawnmower blade tip geometry and information about proper balance.

If you are not in the market for a lawnmower blade sharpener, we generally recommend a good machinist metal file over bench grinders or angle grinders. Simply due to the fact that with those motorized options where you "free hand" the angle - it is very difficult to maintain any consistency of the angle.
So while it is slower, the file will allow you much better control of the quality.

www.magna-matic.com

Thank you,

^^^ Agreed, spendy but worth every dime! ^^^

 

I've tried several methods throughout the past couple years. I don't like using my bench grinder for blades, occasionally for a quick sharpen I'll put each blade in a vise and run a grinder over in from the inside to the outside with equal pressure.

The problem with doing it this way, atleast for me is that after a while your blades will get a curve in them thats hard to get rid of.

Now I use a metal chop saw with a blade that's about 12" in diameter. I hold the saw in the raised position and sharpen the mower blade against the side of the saw blade. This way I get a straight even sharpen. I think this is the best way for me to sharpen blades, and the quickest, but it doesn't work well on blades that already have that curve cut into them so watch for that

 

We use a magnamatic blade sharpener.

 

If you don't have the big bucks to spend, I find that a vise and a 4 1/2 angle grinder is the best way to go. With practice you can keep your ground edge straight w/no problem.

There's also pics of a home made setup here that looks really good. (If my memory's right, the builder even included specs on how to make it). It's made using an angle grinder (what we refer to as a "side grinder") and plywood. I don't have the link but look around here and you'll find it.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bradley-Law...n-Mower-Blade-Sharpener-/230919884657?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c3e5cf71

 

best money ive spent. i used to use the angle grinder, but if you sharpen your blades enough the angle will get out of spec pretty quick using that. the blade sharper takes about 30 seconds per blade, i then hold a screw driver horizontally and put the blade on it for balancing. it is usually very close to perfect, but at the end of the day, these are lawn mowers, not rockets/airplane with extreme tolerances, it doesnt need to be perfectly balanced.

 

I've been using a handheld for last couple years and it does the trick. I sharpen blades a few times per week and keep 3 or 4 sets ready to go. Sharp blades make for cleaner cuts and longer lasting spindles / equipment. :usflag:

 

Hello All,

We conducted a webinar about understanding how lawn mower blade function and what the proper service process is.

Here is a link to watch the webinar
http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/video/ll-042916-magnamatic-webinar/

Thank you,

 

I been looking into them I don't want to spend a grand on one though jeez but I am 36 and already getting RA or early signs my mother has it bad so guess I picked it up.

I read a bunch on the Oregon ones but not much positive from the owners what is a good mid-range one that will get the job done right?

I am solo I keep a set of blades for everyday and put fresh ones on early in morning before I leave out do my sharpening on Sundays with 4.5" angle grinder and it is killing me now.

I can't see how people go 2 days or more with same blades but I'm in South whole different level of grass here nothing treated.

 

I started out using a bench grinder but, once I found out how good of a job you can do with a flap disc on a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder then that's all I have used since. I have entertained the thought of buying a dedicated blade sharpening machine but, it's not worth it to me at this point. Something like this http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW8308-2-Inches-8-Inches-Zirconia/dp/B000BPC2PU
I also use a portable bench grinder stand that I have under the awning of my shop so that I am not spreading the grinding junk inside my shop anymore like I used to have. I just clamp the blade to the platform on the stand with a pair of vice grips.

 

over the years ive seen many swear by bench top belt sander

 

IMO, balancing is just as important as sharping.
Buy a Magna-Matic blade balancer and use a angle grinder.

 

Hello All,

Please do not underestimate the speed of lawn mower blades, they are among the fastest cutting tools (speed/feed-rate). Balance is critical if you expect the mower to perform.

NEVER use a screw driver or nail in the wall to balance a blade, it can cause more harm than good, because you are not balancing from the center of the mounting hole. (center of rotation)

Thank you,

 

i understand where you are coming from (maybe a bit biased), but i have 1000s of combined hours on different mowers that ive bought new, all of them i sharpen with an angle grinder, or more recently, a bradley sharper. both methods, i balance with a screw driver or punch. i have NEVER had a problem with the blades or spindles or bearings. and with employees hitting, rocks, pebbles, tree roots, sticks, whatever, i just dont think the blades/spindle/bearings are as fragile as some people think. i mean sure you might extend the life of the bearings to who knows how many hours if the blade was perfectly balanced, but soon as you hit a twig, it aint perfect no more. sorry for the rant, i just feel that balancing is not as critical as some think.

 

Nothing is more precise than the Magna-Matic. If you can't spend the cash now, I built a solid substitute using a 1/4 bolt, 2 small washers, locknut and two 5/8 bearings. I use offset blades so most standard sharpeners won't work for me. I use an angle grinder and keep a razor edge and a fairly consistent cut angle.

 

We purchased a Bradly sharpener many years ago (I think 3). I didn't have the funds for a Magna-Matic. I really wanted one, but money talks. I had all the plans in the world of getting rid of the Bradly and getting a Magna-Matic, but its been a great grinder and running very strong. I wouldn't hesitate buying it again. I use to do the nail balance thing and found a used balancer on Ebay. Spent a few bucks and tried comparing a nail balanced verse balancer balanced. There was a little bit of a difference but not much.
We also sharpen every day spring through summer. Tend to let them go a little bit longer in leaf season as they get the sh%t kicked out of them.
I have started this year with buying ALL brand new blades. Read an article somewhere about a blade coming apart and going right through the wall of a house and causing a lot of damage. Not worth the headache.

 

Gotta love the music

better yet

 

I too use the Bradley Blade sharpener. I think I paid $200 or so for it? Can't remember, but I can tell you it's sharpened hundreds of blades in the couple years I've owned it.

I did every so slightly modify it... and made it ever so slightly better. When it came in the tab that holds the blade and bent it up a little higher. Also we fabricated a small wall and box to collect all the metal shavings that seemed to always find a way in my eyes! We set the wheels pitch to 30 degree and now sharpening blades is super fun and easy.

We have 4 sets of blades for every mower. What we do is swap them out daily (or weekly) and once a week (or month) sharpen everything at once. Takes no time and the edge is always consistent, perfect to be exact.

When we swap out these blades, we take a drill with a wire brush wheel and clean off all the blades at once, then we treat them all with fluid film.

No need to over-complicate something simple