Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
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Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
While I know it's not difficult, I'm a worry-wort and figure I'll brake something/not put it back correctly... but I may take the deck of my x300 and attempt to sharpen the blades myself.
If I do, what do you recommend I use to sharpen them? I do have a WEN rotary tool (like a dremel) so I assume there's a particular attachment I could use? Or is it better to just do it by hand with a file of some sort?
Thanks for any suggestions (and if possibly, please point me to specific items on Amazon or HD so I know I'm getting the right thing).
If I do, what do you recommend I use to sharpen them? I do have a WEN rotary tool (like a dremel) so I assume there's a particular attachment I could use? Or is it better to just do it by hand with a file of some sort?
Thanks for any suggestions (and if possibly, please point me to specific items on Amazon or HD so I know I'm getting the right thing).
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
Thanks! I actually added that to my cart yesterdayHoosierDaddy wrote: ↑May 28th, 2019, 2:45 pmI love my: https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-50603-Mow ... way&sr=8-1
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
An angle grinder and a flap disc work great, plus it has a gazillion other uses.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
Curios, if you ended up getting anything? I am thinking about sharpening my own instead of having someone else do it.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
Angle grinder and a flap disc. So fast and leaves a perfect finish every time. I use an 80 grit and preferably on with a grinding aid for stainless steel. They tend to dissipate heat generated from grinding very effectively.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
I use a Dremel with a metal grinding bit. In the time it takes to drive the blades somewhere for someone else to do, you can be done with it. And I would think the tool would pay for itself after a few uses. It also has a million other uses. I am sort of a collector of tools and my 25 year old dremel gets more use than any power tool I own.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
I use the AllAmericanSharpener Model 5005.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
I use a bench vise and a hand file! I sharpen my blade about once a month (~8-10hrs of mow time), so it's not too tough to do.
I have two blades, always keep one sharp so I can swap and go, then come back later to sharpen the dull one.
I have two blades, always keep one sharp so I can swap and go, then come back later to sharpen the dull one.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
I second this and I'd also recommend a lift and impact wrench, if you have a tractor. I'm getting older and pulling the deck and fighting with getting blades off is too much. I now lift the front and pull the three blades in about a minute flat. Mount in a vise and grind 'em sharp.
Lift. https://www.harborfreight.com/300-lb-at ... 61523.html
Impact. https://www.harborfreight.com/7-amp-cor ... 61173.html
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
Love harbor freight!edslawn wrote: ↑October 6th, 2020, 6:37 pmI second this and I'd also recommend a lift and impact wrench, if you have a tractor. I'm getting older and pulling the deck and fighting with getting blades off is too much. I now lift the front and pull the three blades in about a minute flat. Mount in a vise and grind 'em sharp.
Lift. https://www.harborfreight.com/300-lb-at ... 61523.html
Impact. https://www.harborfreight.com/7-amp-cor ... 61173.html
I use their $9.99 corded drill master angle grinder (with coupon from hfqpdb.com) and flap discs to sharpen my timemaster blades. You can’t beat that.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
Thanks everybody. I'll take a look at these great suggestions.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
Thanks for this tip! I had a bench grinder to speed up sharpening, but the stone isn't very delicate with the finish. I also tend to beat up blades pretty badly with my various yard debris and especially when I'm in the wooded areas. I like the bench grinder for bigger dents and dings, but the angle grinder with the flap disc is a great addition to put a nice sharp finish on it (especially on the curves of mulching blades). I was out on Thurs to cut and mulch leaves and the tractor pulverized everything with the sharp blades!
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
Call me old-fashioned (pocket watch, fountain pen, it's valid), but I use a mill bastard file. US made.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
I'm old and lazy. Hey, maybe you can sharpen my blades with your mill bastardMorpheusPA wrote: ↑October 10th, 2020, 8:28 pmCall me old-fashioned (pocket watch, fountain pen, it's valid), but I use a mill bastard file. US made.
- MorpheusPA
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
I'm old and trying to stay in shape. That's why I use mostly manual tools.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
That's what I do. Keeps the heat out of the steel too. Even when I had a big lawn and a zero turn, this is how I did it.MorpheusPA wrote: ↑October 10th, 2020, 8:28 pmCall me old-fashioned (pocket watch, fountain pen, it's valid), but I use a mill bastard file. US made.
- MorpheusPA
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
And they laugh at us. Sure, you have more work to get it in place to work with. Sure, it's a little harder to do. And yes, lining it up and getting the filing right is sometimes not the simplest.Hammbone81 wrote: ↑October 15th, 2020, 10:29 pmThat's what I do. Keeps the heat out of the steel too. Even when I had a big lawn and a zero turn, this is how I did it.
I did mine this evening and it took me twenty whole minutes. Fill mower, test, works like a charm.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
I put mine in a bench vise and try to hold the file as parallel as possible to the beveled surface. Its obvious at first how I'm doing as I can see dull colored metal become bright again. When the whole surface becomes mostly bright, I color the whole surface with a fat Sharpie marker and keep going, trying to get the Sharpie to come off as even as possible in a effort to keep the file at the correct angle. I even count my strokes per side to make sure they match (probably completely unnecessary). Balance is never a problem. I don't even check it anymore.MorpheusPA wrote: ↑October 15th, 2020, 11:05 pmAnd they laugh at us. Sure, you have more work to get it in place to work with. Sure, it's a little harder to do. And yes, lining it up and getting the filing right is sometimes not the simplest.Hammbone81 wrote: ↑October 15th, 2020, 10:29 pmThat's what I do. Keeps the heat out of the steel too. Even when I had a big lawn and a zero turn, this is how I did it.
I did mine this evening and it took me twenty whole minutes. Fill mower, test, works like a charm.
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Re: Sharpening my own blades; what tool to use
MorpheusPA wrote: ↑October 15th, 2020, 11:05 pmAnd they laugh at us. Sure, you have more work to get it in place to work with. Sure, it's a little harder to do. And yes, lining it up and getting the filing right is sometimes not the simplest.Hammbone81 wrote: ↑October 15th, 2020, 10:29 pmThat's what I do. Keeps the heat out of the steel too. Even when I had a big lawn and a zero turn, this is how I did it.
I did mine this evening and it took me twenty whole minutes. Fill mower, test, works like a charm.
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