You might believe that sharpening a lawn mower blade requires advanced skills. While practice can refine your technique, the basic principles of blade sharpening are actually quite simple. In this article, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to quickly sharpen your lawn mower blades. By doing so, you can save money and ensure that your lawn looks pristine.
Table of Contents
- Why Should You Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades?
- Choosing the Right Method to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blades
- Sharpening Your Lawn Mower Blade with an Angle Grinder
- Using a Bench Grinder to Grind Your Lawn Mower Blade
- Balancing Your Lawn Mower Blades
- Exploring Alternative Methods for Blade Sharpening
- Additional Considerations
Why Should You Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades?
You may be under the impression that a blade spinning at high speeds doesn’t need to be very sharp to cut grass. And you would be correct. However, a sharp blade allows for a clean cut, which promotes healthier grass growth.
This is important because when grass tips are merely “chopped,” they quickly turn brown and give your lawn a tattered and burnt appearance. The diagram below visually demonstrates this issue:
For professionals and those who take pride in their lawns, having sharp lawn mower blades is crucial for achieving a professional look. This is especially true for grass species like fescue, which grows straight out of the ground and requires frequent cutting. Professionals often sharpen their zero-turn lawn mower blades every other day.
Choosing the Right Method to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blades
There are various ways to sharpen your lawn mower blades, but the easiest and fastest methods involve using a grinder. It’s important to note that the blades do not need to be razor-sharp; they simply require a decisive cutting edge that allows them to slice through grass instead of shredding it.
Angle grinders and bench grinders are common grinding tools that can be used to sharpen lawn mower blades. If you already own one of these tools, you likely have everything you need. However, if you don’t have a grinder, there are alternative solutions to explore.
You can also choose to use a hand file, although dedicated blade sharpening systems are available to ensure proper angle and consistency for these heavy-duty blades. Whichever method you choose, we will start with the most common approach and proceed from there.
Sharpening Your Lawn Mower Blade with an Angle Grinder
Grinding your lawn mower blades with a small angle grinder allows you to achieve sharp blades quickly and affordably. Angle grinders are inexpensive tools that can easily match the angle of your existing blade edge and hone it effectively.
To sharpen your lawn mower blades using an angle grinder, follow these steps:
- Remove the lawn mower blade and secure it in a vise.
- Attach the grinding wheel to the angle grinder.
- Run the angle grinder back and forth along the blade, maintaining the original angle.
- Balance the blade to ensure that material is removed evenly from both ends.
Using a Bench Grinder to Grind Your Lawn Mower Blade
Similar to the previous method, you can achieve the same results by sanding your lawn mower blades with a bench grinder. Bench grinders differ in that you move the blade to the grinding wheel instead of the other way around. Many bench grinders also feature adjustable tables, allowing for consistent and precise results.
To grind your lawn mower blade using a bench grinder, follow these steps:
- Remove the lawn mower blade.
- Set the angle of the grinder tool holder to match the grinding wheel.
- Turn on the bench grinder.
- Move the blade side to side along the grinding wheel while keeping it even with the holder.
- Balance the blade to ensure that material is removed evenly from both ends.
It’s important not to over-sharpen the blade, as this can make it fragile and more likely to dull and weaken. Use quick, controlled passes and avoid overheating the steel, as excessive heat can compromise the blade’s edge.
Balancing Your Lawn Mower Blades
While these sharpening methods are forgiving, it’s crucial to balance the blade periodically. After removing metal from the blade’s sides and achieving a sharp edge, you need to ensure that it remains balanced.
To balance your lawn mower blade, follow these steps:
- Hammer 16D nails or similar items into the walls of your shed or shop.
- Hang the blade from its center point.
- If it remains balanced, you’re done.
- If it tilts to one side, mark the heavier side and remove additional metal from that side by sanding.
- Regularly check the blade balance to prevent any significant imbalance.
Exploring Alternative Methods for Blade Sharpening
Although we generally do not recommend using files to sharpen lawn mower blades due to their slow and manual nature, some individuals may prefer this method. However, using a grinder typically yields better results. If you do sharpen your lawn mower blades frequently, there are innovative tools available that can save you time and effort. One such tool is the Easy Mower Blade Sharpener (EMBSX) from Noracore, which won the 2019 Pro Tool Innovation Award.
This air tool utilizes a die grinder with a mirror and camera interface, allowing you to sharpen blades on zero-turn lawn mowers without removing them. However, using this tool requires skill and caution to prevent over-sharpening one side and throwing the blade out of balance.
Additional Considerations
No matter which method you choose, always prioritize your safety by wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect your eyes, hands, and ears. Sharpening lawn mower blades is a straightforward task that anyone can learn. However, accidents can be avoided by taking appropriate safety precautions.
We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Do you have a preferred method for sharpening your lawn mower blades? Let us know!