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How to sharpen manual lawn mower blades.Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening: Do’s and Don’ts
Last Updated: June 30, References Approved. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. This article has been viewed , times. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy — the same is true for your lawn mower's blades! With long-term use, the spinning blades under your lawnmower can gradually grow dull. This can cause them to start tearing the grass, rather than cutting it smoothly, which can give your lawn a "ragged" appearance and make it more susceptible to disease.
Before you sharpen your lawn mower blades, put on gloves to protect your hands and disconnect the mower's spark plug so it won't start. Then tip the mower onto its side, wipe away any grass or debris from the blade, and loosen the fastening bolt to remove the blade.
After you have removed the blade, secure it to your work station using a vise or a sturdy clamp. Once it is secure, you can sharpen it by running a metal file along the sharp edge of the blade, holding the file at a 45 degree angle. For tips from our Landscaper reviewer on how to sharpen the blade with a belt grinder, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.
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Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Disconnect the spark plug and power source. A lawnmower can cause serious injury if it starts while you are working on it.
Always disconnect the spark plug and the power source outlet or battery before disassembling your mower. The spark plug can usually be disconnected by removing a prominent wire on the side or front of the lawnmower engine from its metal mounting.
Once disconnected, the engine should not be able to start. For safety purposes, it's still recommended to wear heavy gloves and eye protection during this project even if you're sure you've disconnected the spark plug. Turn the mower on its side with its carburetor facing up. However, because of the construction of a lawn mower engine, turning the mower over haphazardly can cause engine oil to spill into the carburetor and air filter.
To avoid this, make sure you turn the mower so that these face up , rather than down. The carburetor and air filter on most modern mowers are usually housed in a boxy plastic case on the side of the engine.
If you're unsure of where these parts are located on your mower, consult your owner's manual or contact your manufacturer.
As additional protection against spilling, you can run the mower until it's out of gas, or pour the oil into a separate container. This project is also a good opportunity to check your oil and change it if necessary. It's a good idea to change your oil at least once a year.
Mark the downward-facing side of the blade. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when sharpening their lawnmower blade is to re-install it upside-down.
To avoid the extra effort of having to remove and install the blade again, make a noticeable marking on the bottom side of the blade before removing it. There are many ways to do this. For instance, you may want to mark the bottom of the blade with a dot of spray paint, inscribe your initials with a grease pen, or simply stick some masking tape to the center of the blade.
Block the blade and loosen the fastening bolt. Most lawnmower blades are secured with a bolt in the center of the blade. Normally, it's difficult to remove the bolt with a wrench or ratchet because the blade will turn with the tool. For this reason, it's usually necessary to immobilize the blade before you start unscrewing the bolt. Usually, it's easiest to wedge a sturdy block of wood between the blade and deck of the mower to keep the blade steady while you loosen the nut or bolt.
You can also use a vise or clamp if it's more convenient. Some mowers have a reverse threaded nut holding the blade onto the spindle. Take note of the placement and orientation of any spacer washers or plates that come off with blade. Clean the blade of grass clippings and rust. Once the blade is blocked, it shouldn't be hard loosen the bolt and remove the blade. Once you do, take the opportunity to clean it — if you've been using the mower frequently, there's a good chance it will be dirty with grass clippings, grime, and so on.
For ordinary cleaning needs, all you'll usually need is a gloved hand or a dry rag. However, if it's been a long time since you've cleaned your lawnmower, you may find it necessary to use a hose and a little soapy water to remove accumulated plant material and grime. If you do, dry the blade with a rag once you finish. Part 2. Sharpening by Hand. Clamp the blade securely at your work station. Using a vise or a sturdy clamp, secure your lawnmower's blade in a way and place that makes it convenient for you to work on it.
For instance, you may want to secure it so that the blade sticks out over the edge of your workbench at roughly waist-level so that you can work on it while sitting. You may want to lay down a few pieces of old newspaper before you begin working to catch stray metal filings, making for easier cleanup. Sharpen the blade with a file. Run a metal file along the cutting edge of the blade.
Stroke from the inside edge of the blade to the outside edge until a clean shiny, edge is apparent. Flip the blade over and repeat the process on the other edge. The amount of dust you'll produce from filing your lawnmower blades by hand is likely going to be fairly small compared to what you might generate from other projects.
However, it's still a smart idea to wear a standard face mask or respirator to protect your lungs from airborne dust and metal particles as you would for larger grinding projects. Follow the angle of the factory bevel as you sharpen. Keep the file at the angle of the bevel of the blade as you sharpen. Often, the blade angle is about 40 or 45 degrees, but this is not always the case, so check manufacturer's information for the exact angle.
Ideally, when you're finished, the blade should be roughly as sharp as a butter knife. Reinstall the blade when sharpened. Tighten the bolt. Make sure that the blade is oriented correctly when you mount it this should be easy if you marked the downward-facing side earlier as directed.
Do not use a hammer to make the bolt tighter. A snug fit with a wrench or rachet is usually all you need. You should be able to feel the tightness of the bolt by simply turning the wrench. Observe common-sense safety precautions while working.
If you aren't already wearing eye protection, gloves, and long sleeves, put these on before beginning. Bench grinders and other sharpening machines can fling sparks and tiny pieces of debris at very high speeds, potentially causing injury if you're not wearing proper protection.
Use a bench grinder. If you don't want to sharpen your blade by hand with a file or there are minor dents or cracks in the blade, using a mechanical solution may be necessary. For sharpening lawnmower blades, ordinary bench grinders usually work well. To sharpen the blade, move it back and forth against the wheel of the grinder. As when filing by hand, you'll want to maintain the original angle of the blade's bevel as you sharpen it.
Alternatively, use a belt sander. Another way to sharpen a lawnmower blade is to use a belt sander. The same basic principle applies here: rub the blade at an angle against the abrasive sandpaper to gradually sharpen it through friction To use your belt sander to sharpen the blade, invert it so that the belt is facing up and lock the trigger switch in the "on" position.
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