The Best Way to Sharpen Your Mower Blades
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- Опубликовано: 11 окт 2022
- Sharpening mower blades this way will give them a longer life by causing the least amount of damage and material loss.
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I'm 67 and this takes me back to my childhood. We didn't have any of the tools most people have today, just a file. We didn't even have a bench vise; my dad would take the blade off the mower, lay it on the porch with half the blade sticking out so he could work on it. I'd stand on the blade to hold it in place, then he'd go to work on using the file until both sides were shinny. We'd never heard anything about balancing the blade.
As an aside here, I was also the counter weight sitting in the front of the boat when we'd go fishing so the front would stay in the water better. Ahhh, those were the days.
What you are demonstrating is what is called draw filing.
Draw fling is a finishing method, mainly used to give a finer smoother finish.
To sharpen a rotary cutting blade which is damaged or very blunt with the draw file method, will take forever.
In most cases that's all you need. A touch up. For more serious work you can use the rough side or a grinder. Depends on the condition of the blade.
my guy here is an employee that gets paid by the hour.
Been grinding mine for years and now I use a flap disc works great. Never had a problem
Flap Wheel for the win for sure. I tried the filing a few times (WITH a Handle on the file!) and it produces a nice edge but not so much better than a flap wheel that it's worth the time or effort.
I also mow commercially so I go through blades a LOT faster than Joe Homeowner.
@@RoosterCogburn I agree! Using a file I'm sure does a great job but it would take me hours to sharpen 3 blades.
This would be better than a grinding wheel for sure.
I think a 60 grit flap disc (or a 40 if the blade is rough) , is considered the industry standard (at least for residential users), for sharpening blades. Fast and effective, I've been cutting grass for 50+ years, it's a great time saver.
I just started using a angel grinder yesterday
Been sharpening my blades with a angle grinder for over 30 years. its a lawn mower, not The Space Shuttle!
Just because you've been doing something for 30 years doesn't mean you've been doing it right. You can quickly disfigure the blades with an angle grinder
In your opinion is blade balancing important?
Both ways work. If you got a grinder it's less work. A file works too for touch ups especially for sharpening aficionados who sharpen every month then a touch up is all you need.
I just did it for the first time with a grinder and I can shave with it... it's fine with a grinder
Great job on video. I’m 68 And I have sharpened many more blades, then they care to remember. You are 100% correct about using the file as your first choice to extend the life of your blade. Thanks and have a nice day. 😎
If it requires an angle grinder, you aren't taking good care of your blades. File them up every few mows and avoid sticks/stones/etc. I can practically shave with mine.
You can use grinder with finer grain sandpaper.
Got to sharpen 6 blades every other week. Not going to use a freaking file! Been grinding blades for 50 years with no problem what so ever.
Hey, I don't blame you. Efficiency is key.
If you're commercial time is money. You can get good results by choosing different grain for your grinder.
The amount of heat created by an angle grinder is NOT going to change the molecular composition. Unless you are holding the grinder in one spot for an extended period of time, then, yes, it will create massive heat. When using a grinder, you always make quick, smooth, light passes. Just enough pressure to let the wheel do its job, but not create heat. When I'm done sharpening, usually in less than 30 seconds per side, I can hold the blade with my bare hand. I understand you have to explain things thoroughly for those who don't know or understand, but don't dramatize it beyond its usefulness.
This is true. I guess I should have been more clear. Thanks for the comment.
Depends on the grain of your grinder. It's not the heat as there shouldn't be any warping but the grain can determine how much is shaved off with each pass. So finer grain can allow good control as well.
A file cuts forward only ....not sideways or backwards ....just forward ...
And that's why it's an advantage. You control the direction of the grind.
Most do not have the hours it takes to sharpen blades in this way.
It shouldn't take hours. Say 5 minutes should do the trick unless it's seriously dull.
I appreciate the longer video with the amount of detail you provided, choosing this for your details. I had already watched several other videos but talked a lot about themselves or upselling and not about the actual sharpening 🙄 . I am looking for more detail, my personal preferences on other sharpening projects is to do them by hand and not grind on an edge with a power tool of some sort. This video covers it if you are brand new like me, to lawnmower sharpening or need a refresher if somewhat experienced. I also enjoy saving videos I've learned from that are longer I can always skip through the transcript to get to the detail part I need.
Thank you for your post! A suggestion to change your title; it's a detailed beginner or refresher video including tips of what not to do! This may help keep away the keyboard trolls in this thread. It would be great for those of us who watched the video reading the thread looking for other suggestions, not to get stuck looking at mean spirited trolls 😊
Thank you very much and I am glad it was helpful!
very informative and I learned something again!:) Thank you!:)
Thank you and I am glad I could help!
Great video, very helpful, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for your help
good video, good info....awareness no matter the tool
my uncle still does his by hand. i use a angle grinder. had no problems, i even hit a t-post all it did was put a small dent in it. & mine are 13 years old.
The grinder can definitely work and it does a good job as long as it is done right.
That is 13 minutes I will never get back.
Well thanks for watching the whole video!
THX FOR YOUR INFO BUDDY. ALWAYS READY TO LEARN SOMETHING. TAKE CARE. ENJOYED YOUR VIDEOS 👋👋🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Good job on the draw filing.
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Ohh my God,.. 13 min video for sharpening the blade,.. where this world going
Some things just take time. Maybe I can compress this into a short form video.
That's why there's Tik Tok for the new generation.
To the person who posted this comment above, just a few RUclips tips, as it seems you may be new to RUclips. Typically you can open up off of the name of the video quickly go to the transcript and either search for the words you are wanting to catch and learn or simply scroll down through the video transcript until you get to the point you need. Also, you can always look at a length of a video when you're doing your search and choose the length that you need. There are much much shorter videos that are good, especially for someone as experienced as you are at sharpening looking for some refresher tricks possibly.
YES. great video.
Very useful video. I have been using the angle grinder but will try your method.
Any suggestion on any specific way the 3 blades should be mounted on a 48" Deere mower deck? Thanks.
I want some of those gloves!
They are pretty sweet. Hopefully we can make them available for sale soon.
"Precise"...I don't think so. If you want precise, get the All American Sharpener model 5005 gen 2. THIS is a very precise mower blade sharpening tool.
Just ordered mine! Refuse to get a knockoff. In the meantime I’ll be using my file, though not the way he’s using one. I also clean my blades first, then a file card followed by a bit of oil in the file. They last a really long time when properly cared for
Files are meant to cut on the push stroke, using them sideways like that dulls them and they pack up with steel.
Phooey on that! Get the All American and angle grinder. Fast and precise.
Good information to on how to do it right! For past 20 + years I sharpened my walk behind blades on a BENCH GRINDER. I sharpen mine to a knife point. Never did ballancing trick with blade. Never had bearings or other issues. I grind enough material off I have to replace them every 4-5 years. I sincerely dought if you took mower into a repair shop they woulld ever sharpen with file. With time spent sharpening it would cheeper just to buy new ones. I guess to each his own.
That is the goal, to teach the right way. I know it is tedious, but you can really make a good set of blades last a long time doing it this way.
Getting a cup of coffee and I'm going to sharpen the 'ell out of some blades. But I ain't got time for no hand file. I'm a busy camper. Going to just crawl under the mower deck with a grinder in each hand and pulsate on each end til the sparks are flying.
With my Victa Corvette B & S mower here in Australia, i change my 4 mower blades every 2 years, i do this due to any metal fatigue ( shattering ) , for my safty and others while mowing 👍 Au
I think this is a good idea. I know a lot of people would rather not even mess with sharpening the blades and rather just change them.
I do agree that filing will be the most accurate way to sharpen a blade, but it’s definitely not quick. Also if the blade is moderately dulled a file won’t work, whereas an angle grinder with a 60 grit flap disc would work great. That is my method of choice, produces great results and is very quick.
Yes, I agree that it is not the fastest. The flap disc method does sound like a great idea though.
If need be mark the blades and buff to the mark close enough on both sides it will be good enough can hold the angle grinder at an angle
Im a file man and I get years of use from my blades. Even 6ft finish mower. Picked up some hints from you. Thanks for video.
Nice! Glad I was able to help! How long would you say you spend on one blade?
@@WesternEquipment never timed it as I was usually taking off and puttin on blades. I would estimate less time sharpening than taking them off and replaceing.(and scraping down crud on mower. I used to have them sharpened at the blacksmith and dealership. They got about 2 sharpenings and there wasnt much left of them. Mine go years.
"Years of use" means nothing to anyone but you. Depends on the size of your lawn, frequency of mowing, and if there is any debris (twigs, rocks of any sort, pine or fir cones, dried up dog shit, leaves, etc), and the type of grass you have. Same blade on two very different lawns could have a dramatically different life.
Thank you for this info, very helpful...and the thumbnail shots are...shocking! : > }
Well I am glad it was helpful and thanks for watching!
I use the all American sharpener. The company has a video showing how to discover the correct angle by marking the edge with a magic marker
I will have to check this out for sure!
I will never give up my 7" angle grinder, f..k a file.
Hey I completely understand that. Filing is definitely the hard way to do it.
I rate a 9 inch grinder, can't beat that Mule kick when it starts up and nearly rips the blade out from under the G clamps holding it onto the fence. Stuff the lawn I just like sharpening the blade.
I see quite a few comments about not having the time to use a file. For me that was the fast part. The slow part was taking the blades on and off the mower. I started out with 3 blades using the file. Then when I got another mower and had 6 blades (counting the push) I switched to the bench grinder for about 25 years. I never had to replace a blade. Way way back when I got my first 2 yards (quarter acres many decades ago) I never even sharpened a blade. I didn't know you had to what with the gas power turning all those RPM's. Now I have scrapped all my old mowers and just have the one. It's the first one I ever bought new. First time I ever spent more than $650 on a mower. I mow an acre and a half and I have 110 hours on the mower without sharpening and the blades still look pretty good. I know it's years overdue but the grass always looked the same no matter what I did to the blades. My grandpa had a mechanical mower up until I was about 12. Now he kept those blades sharp. Had to.
Took less than 5 minutes for me but guess a grinder can do it in 1 minute. So yeah grinder is faster. Depends on the grain of the file and grain of the grinder. That's alot of blades to help tame them grass and give it a good bushwacking. More blades less stress on the cutting.
Got no time for that
My angle grinder beats the bench grinder any day. Forget a file- I'd be there all week.
Clean the debris off the blade before you try to balance it.
I'll stick with my flap wheel. Nobody's got time for that
120 Grit Flap Disc puts a mirror shine on the edge, and as the disc wears, it gets finer and better. 60 Grit takes away way too much metal. I use a flat mill bastard file on the back side to remove any curl, address the very edge, and then balance. Never take away metal from the cutting edge of any blade, or ends of multi blade mowers to achieve balance. After sharpen, lightly oil the sharpened edge to prevent rust (Old motor oil works fine).
Might be good for somebody with a lot of time on their hands but when you in lawn care with fifty blades to grind you use a grinder and get it done. I never balance a blade unless it was smaller on one side than the other and you could tell it been around for awhile , just toss it, you just don't have time to full with it. Greasing the blade bearings in the start of the day is more important. Just make sure you use safety glasses when grinding blades even it the grinder has a guard on it, had to take a worker to the doctor because he forgot to put his safety glasses on after break.
I get what you're saying here. I by no means think this is the way that everybody should do it. This is just the most accurate and does the least amount of damage to your blade. How long have you been in the lawncare business?
Rusell Outback Vaughan: The Breaker would sharpen the 'ell outta some blades with his bare hands and a file in nothin' flat !
i have an attachment for a dremel is that bad too? you can adjust the speed and go really light on it
A dremel might not be a bad option. Low speed and low heat are always the way to go.
When using a file, such as a bastard HSE with a tang, always use a handle, one slip and that tang will impale your hand. In addition, use the length of the file, not the width.
I'm not an expert but I have never done or seen anyone use a flat file like that for sharpening a mower blade. Side to side?
Grandpaw never showed him how to file a blade.
What was I doing wrong?
You were close to having it right. You start with the file on the left side of the file and end on the right side of the file. So your filing towards the blade. Similar to sharping a knife.
This is for someone cutting their own small lawn and only sharpens their blades 1-2 times a year. For landscapers cutting 50+ yards a week and sharpening 7+ blades a week this is way way too slow. You do not need to use a file. Angle grinder works good, but learn how to do it first and use PPE.
RUclips tip, If you were looking for the tagline and are experienced sharpener, you can always go into the transcript and do a word search or scan the transcript to get to what you chose this beginner level video for.
Them there files work really good lengthwise too you know? And use gravity by vicing your blade and using your file long ways.
Good points, thank you!
Never seen a file used that way.
It used to be taught in metal shop back in the 80's... I think it was called "Draw filing".
@@villagecarpenter2266 You are 100% correct? I’m 68 years old and my father taught me about draw filing a chainsaw blade when I was 14 years old, and started to cut firewood with him. And yes, I remember in my junior year of high school being taught drawfiling my metal shop class 1973. Have taught Many young people, the art of filing, sharpening, a knife with a good old stone n file. Have a nice day 😎
How many times in a year should I sharpen my blades? TIA
Depends on how often you cut , probably about 3 or 4 times a year
I agree with @joe fro.
Use an angle grinder. Learn how to use one and be done with it.
Just use a flap disc on an angle grinder it's 500 times faster is just as good
What file do you recommend?
Double cut?
Smooth, medium smooth or bastard cut?
Thanks for the video
Double cut for sure and I believe mine is a medium. Good question!
Bastard is what I like
I like my Wall 712 blade sharpener we need to keep our blades square at the end not rounded like those blades you have l would have to throw those away you would leave uncut grass in Florida with rounded blade tips like my competition 😁
This sounds like a good deal. I think blade sharpeners that are designed for mower blades specifically are a good way to go as well.
Good option for the professional, but hardly reasonable for homeowners or small entrepreneurs. I'll stick with a hand file or flap disk until I hit the bigtime.
Aren’t new blades like $15? Also, file is forward and backward; not sideways.
Blades are relatively inexpensive, but you can really extend the life by sharpening them.
This guy must be getting paid by the hour by John Deere
You can use a angle grinder with no problem as long as you cool the steel and don't use a grinding wheel instead use a 120 flap disc. In the words of Daniel moss -trust me i'am blacksmith.
You could do this and probably so minimal damage so I can see this.
Finally! Someone mentioned quenching. I feel better now
I personally use 1/2" belt sander with 120 grit sand paper
That’s not a bad idea. I think that is still better than an angle grinder.
@@WesternEquipment oh yea especially cuz ya can change belts to have either a finer or course material removed from the blade...
I wonder how many days it took him to file that blade? I’ve been using an angle grinder for years haven’t ruined one yet!
I discussed using a bench grinder with a customer at the grocery store where I work, He's a janitor at a co-op housing estate in the area, He said that was so slow an that I should try an angle grinder with a flap disc, so I can imagine a hand file will take a fair bit of time, but if he has got the time and it works for him, it's all good.. But I'll stick with the angle grinder and flap disc.. When I started sharpening our blades myself, they where so rounded that they no longer cut the grass, but rather beat it into submission..
The Husqvarna dealer who we used to change the deck belt when it broke (before I realised it was easy to do myself) never said a word about the fact that the blades where overdue for a sharpening. Now I realise a shop cant carry out work that's not been requested by the customer due to the risk of not getting paid for work not authorized by the customer, but if it was me I think I would let the customer know it needed to be done. An other good thing about being able to take down the deck for a belt change apart from that the belt always broke when the dealer was at their most busy, is easy access for maintenance 😀
Using the peg board or a nail to balance is not accurate. You can get a sense of that at the 8:30 min mark when you first put it on it's level and then you shift it and it's not. I have experienced this myself. The cone is the only sure way to go.
This is true. There are definitely more exact ways to measure and I agree the cone is probably the best.
Eh, a good compromise is a rotary tool. Easy to adjust, but not overpowering enough that you may remove too much material. A file is okay to sharpen slightly, but if you have nicks and dings, it'll take forever. A rotary tool will take longer than an angle grinder, but be more precise.
Thanks for the info. Definitely file is probably the best bet
I completely agree that it is.
Oh dear
What happened? What did I do wrong?
Been using a grinder for yrs 150grit buffing wheel and a single nail will make sure u stay balanced 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Doesn't that destroy your blade's heat treatment?
This is the least destructive way to sharpen your blades. A grinder would have a lot harder affect on the blades.
I sharpen my blades with peanut butter and jelly
You should bolt the file to a saws all
Not sure if this would be the safest option. Have you tried this? I think I'm going to pass haha!
@@WesternEquipment no but I was hoping somebody sold A holder adapter. I did see people mixing paint cans with a saws all
A well done video - thanks. You are correct about heat being a issue with grinders. Most people don't realize that because the cutting edge is so incredibly thin (the edge on a double-edge razor is about 100 microns, about the same size as a Covid-19 virus) it's the first thing that heats up, and it gets far hotter than the thicker metal. You'll loose temper on the edge long before you feel the heat on the other side. The late doctor Vadim Kraichuk of "Knife Grinders Australia" proved this by putting Tempilaq at the edge on one side and grinding the other. The first video in his series "Heat in Sharpening - Temperature of softening the knife steel" is here: ruclips.net/video/kiZjYQk-MH4/видео.html
(I use a Tormek to sharpen my blades, so heat is never an issue.)
Thank you! I will have to check these videos out.
and after about 45 minutes you'll have a meh edge, because all the nicks will still be there
how are you going to 'damage' steel by using a flap disc on an angle grinder
just use a decent flap disk and use little pressure, takes
Used to use a hand file. Definitely not like this. Granted you get sharp blades but does that last more than 1/2 trips arounf your yard…. Nope. I use a large hand grinder and follow up with a flap disk (no pressure on the leading edge of the blade. But on the top side of the blade edge. Then touch the back side with 1 pass from the trailing edge to the leading edge.
Checking the “balance” is way better on a tool designed as such. The peg or nail technique is sketchy to me.
I place paint maker on the sharpen part of the blade to tell me i sharpen that particular edge already
Sounds like a good idea.
You are not going to really balance your blades accurately unless you use some method to get the rest of the crud off the blade first. I use a 4" grinder with a wire brush first to clean the blade. Then I sharpen it second. Thirdly and finally I balance the blade. I end up with a clean sharp blade ready for service.
That is how cave man did it
Sir you have no clue how to use a file Hahahaha
Hmmm. Any recommendations?
There are at least 4 types of metal files. Perhaps best to note which type you’re using for the newbies. I personally have used a bastard mill file, especially if I’ve dinged something, sometimes a second cut mill file and if I’m being overly anal, a smooth mill. I follow the owner’s manual for degree of bevel etc. I also sharpen new blades as they’re never to the specs of my JD manuals, even if they’re JD blades - go figure
That is the right way to sharpen you're blades
It appears you don't even know how to use a file
Agreed, and he’s the one giving info as fact on what NOT to do.
@@FishFind3000 he should probably take this video down until he knows what he's doing.
@@garypuls5263 Seemed to work fine. It's not a wicked edge or a shapton stone but it's good enough - You don't need perfect technique with a file if you have a pretty steady hand and an eye for consistent angle. Sure, it's no hair-shaving edge, but it doesn't need to be.
How would you suggest it be done? This is how I have always done it and how a lot of other people do it as well.
Let's see your video. I'll be waiting@Gary Puls
You will soon find that the file is a big waste of time. He got zero blades done during that video. Should have had all 3 pretty much done. I would love to see how long it takes him to do a few sets and how many shirts he sweats through.
I was just showing the process. I didn’t want to waste the time of showing sharpening all three blades. Yes, this is the slow and tedious way to do it but it produces good results.
That's not how I was taught to use a fi'll.
Opinions are like arseholes! Everyones got 1 and alot of them stink. Bench grinder, angle grinder, hand file, sharpening stone, dremel, use what youve got or what your comfortable with. Just a quick note, it would probably be a good idea to learn to use a file properly and explain what a file card is before telling people not to use an angle grinder 👍
100%!! we all have a preference, I like more control over the process as well as just the process of doing it manually, old-school like my father-in-law taught me when learning to sharpen knives.
WHO told you how to sharpen blades? Fauci?
Nope
LOL. Lotsa haters who believe they are filing experts. Did the video clean up the blade edge with the MINIMUM amount of unnecessary metal removal? Sure did. Did moving the file laterally with a bias towards to and fro sharpen the blade? Sure did. I’d actually rather have the video educator sharpen my blades than some hack removing tons of unnecessary metal by aggressively using the file. His blades are going to last a lot longer and be able to take more sharpening.
Hater gonna hate! But thanks for appreciating the content!
Never use a file without a handle. Very basic health and safety.
I guess this was just never a big deal in my family and others out here where I was raised. I will make sure to make this a habit to fix next time I am filing.
who cares
What do you mean who cares?
Negative
I know. Not the preferred way to most.
@@WesternEquipment yeah I've certainly done it more than a few times but it's rough! It may seem odd but for a few years I used small diamond stones. They're small rectangular sharpening or grinding stones, very coarse. Similar to using a file but MUCH faster. You have more surface area to work with and it makes it bearable. I could sharpen a blade with a diamond stone in 8-10 minutes. Took me half an hour with a file.
I'm going to go ahead and use an angle grinder and not take metal working advice from a man who doesnt know how to use a bastard file
Whatever works best for you.
Am I supposed to sharpen a brand new lawn mower blade?
No, they will come sharpened when they are new. Did you receive dull blades?
@@WesternEquipment no. They were sharp but not razor sharp.
Dude information is golden presentation sucks stop acting like people are stupid which I know there are plenty you are talking way more than is needed
It's not the best way to use a file. You used a finishing method, not a sharpening one. It's time consuming and the result in not better. Sorry. I do not recommand!
That is not the most precise way!
What would you say the most precise way is?
@@WesternEquipment Guided an abrasive at a fixed position and the blade at a fixed position. There are so many ways to sharpen that work. Let's face it if someone is a professional sharpener they may be able to hold an angle by hand but most of the people watching this are not sharpeners with years of freehand sharpening under their belt. The weekend warrior will have a multi-faceted surface at the end of the job. Which is why I said it is not the (quoted) "most precise way". And I hope that you know I am not saying that what you showed won't work - because it will, all be it slow, it will work.
Sorry....but once you said drop the angle grinder I dropped your video.
That's ok because you still left a comment. Thanks for watching!
How not to sharpen a mower blade!!
Been using a angle grinder since you were in diapers. Get real.
Im not taking the time to grab that file and use it wrong.😂
Well then make sure and use it right.
In that case I'll make sure to not use like a jackass lol