Is It Worth Sharpening Lawn Mower Blades?
Do you find yourself unimpressed with your lawn’s appearance? Do you mow for hours yet still end up with ragged, uneven edges? If that’s the case, you should probably ask yourself Is it worth sharpening your lawn mower blades?
In this article, we’ll delve into the subject of lawn care and discuss the inarguable advantages of maintaining sharp blades.
The simple process of honing your mower blades can open a whole new level of mowing ability, from effortlessly gliding over grass to fostering a lush and bright lawn. Prepare to learn the ins and outs of creating the immaculate lawn of your dreams and learn whether is it worth sharpening lawn mower blades or not.
Why Do Mower Blades Need To Be Sharp?
Maintaining healthy turf and a beautiful lawn requires a sharp cutting blade.
A uniformly trimmed lawn is the result of sharp blades that cut at a consistent rate. When you’re trying to stay on top of your lawn maintenance. Grass may be cut more quickly and efficiently, and your lawn mower will last longer, if you keep the blade sharp.
Dull mower blades shatter grass instead of cutting it. Dull blades generate stiff cuts and inconsistent grass length, making mowing harder.
Rip-tipped grass turns brown a few days after mowing and is more susceptible to pests and diseases. If your mower blades are sharp, you can cut grass without damaging it or the mower.
Lawn Mower Blade: Sharpen or Replace?
At some point, you might ask yourself why you should sharpen the mower blade when you could just replace it.
Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to sharpen or replace your lawn mowers blade.
| Condition of blade | Sharpen or replace? |
| Cracks and dents- If it’s cracked, a piece can fly off and hurt the mower and user. | Remove the blade |
| Chips- Several minor chips in most cases, rocks and other debris won’t cause any issues. | Sharpen the blade |
| Bends- bend blades are very dangerous | Simply just remove them |
| Thin edges- The edge that is not the cutting edge is called the trailing edge or fin. | You need to remove the blade. |
Related Post: What Is A Mower Blade Balancer Used For?
How To Properly Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
Using the proper equipment and some caution, sharpening your lawn mower blade is a simple task. The blade on your lawnmower may be sharpened by following these simple steps:
Step-1 Gather your Tools and Materials
Make sure you have all the tools and materials needed for sharping the blades.
Here is a list of things you must need-
| Tools | Materials |
| File | Gloves |
| Rags | WD-40 lubricant |
| Socket/ratchet set | Safety glasses |
| Sharpener or angle grinder | |
| Vise bench grinder |
Step-2 Safety First
Wearing goggles and safety gloves, unplug your lawn mower or remove the batteries. Gas lawn mowers need the spark plug wire disconnected. Avoid accidently turning it on.
Step-3 Tip the Mower on its Side
Carefully tip your lawnmower onto its side, maintaining the upright positions of the air filter and carburetor. That way, the air filter won’t get contaminated by oil and gas.
Note: Make sure you know which side of the blade is facing down before you go and remove it. Using spray paint or a long-lasting marker would work. The blade won’t cut if you later try to reinstall it the wrong way around.
Step-4 Remove the Blade
Put a piece of wood between the mower blade and the mower to stop its movement. Remove the blade’s bolt or nut with the wrench. If stiff, the wedge should hold the blade in place for a better grip.
Be sure to put away both the blade and the nut or bolt when they become dislodged.
Step-5 Clean the Blade before Sharpening
Check the blade to see if it can be sharpened or should be replaced before continuing. If needed, use a penetrating cleanser or a damp microfiber cloth or stiff-bristle brush to clean it. Remove caked-on grass, mud, leaves, and debris. This step will ensure a cleaner and more effective sharpening process.
Step-6 Clamp Securely
For safety and stability, clamp the blade in a vice or use a tool made just for this reason. Make sure it’s locked down well before moving on.
Step-7 Sharpen the Blade
Depending on the tools at your disposal, there are multiple methods for sharpening a mower blade. A metal file can be used for manual sharpening, but an electric angle grinder or a blade sharpener powered by a drill will get the job done much more quickly.
- Metal filing method
Wearing safety goggles and gloves prepare your file. The file should be at least 10 inches long and 45 degrees to the cutting edge. Push the blade from above to make it “butter-knife sharp.”
The file should sharpen in 50 strokes. After finishing, switch blade ends and repeat.
- Use a Bench Grinder
Bench grinders sharpen lawnmower blades fastest. Grind the blade edge against the spinning wheel with protective glasses, earplugs, and gloves. It’ll be loud and sparky, but you’ll sharpen the blade in minutes. A bench grinder can also restore a blade with deep gouges that are difficult to file smooth.
- Drill and Blade Sharpening Stone
A blade sharpening drill bit is a more affordable alternative to a bench grinder. The stone on the bit is designed to adjust to the curve of the lawnmower blade, making it much simpler and more accurate to sharpen than by hand.
Step-8 Balance the Blade
Examine the blade’s balance after sharpening. A well-balanced blade will reduce vibration levels during use. If you have a blade balancer, use it to make sure the blade is sitting flat. If the blade is unbalanced, file away some more material from the heavier side.
Step-9 Re-assemble
Before reinstalling the mower’s blade, make sure the mounting area is clean. Return the blade to its sheath, making sure the correct side is up. Overtightening the bolt with the wrench could ruin the blade or the mower, so be careful.
Step-10 Test and Adjust
After putting the cutting blade back in place, you can reconnect the spark plug wire. To check if the mower blade is spinning freely and without vibrations, you should turn it on and let it run for a little while. Make any necessary alterations to achieve peak efficiency.
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Is It Worth Sharpening Lawn Mower Blades with This Cost?
When it comes to lawn mower blade sharpening, the costs can vary depending on a few factors. These include the size of your blade, whether you choose to tackle the job yourself or hire a professional, and the specific professional you choose to work with.
A grinder, which can be purchased for around $20 to $50, is required to sharpen the blade by hand. On Amazon, for instance, the best-selling sharpener for lawnmower blades costs around $20.
It can cost you anything from $5 to $15 per blade to have a professional sharpen your lawn mower blades. You can save yourself up to $5 by taking the blade out and bringing it to them. It’s possible to spend $15–$25 on a new set of blades.
How Often Should Lawnmower Blades Be Sharpened?
It is recommended that blades be sharpened at the beginning of each grass-mowing season.
Blades should be sharpened at least twice a season, or after 25 hours of use, at the very least.
When you hit rocks, you should sharpen your blades. It is possible to learn when you need to sharpen your mower blades from the lawn itself.
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