Mower blade sharpener

[RidgeTopWVA]

Has anyone ever had any experience with one of these ? Any thoughts pros or cons ?

MOWER BLADE SHARPENER

Smith’s handheld Mower Blade Sharpener is the perfect tool to use for keeping your mower blades in prime condition. This simple and easy to use sharpener uses a preset carbide blade to quickly put a smooth, sharp edge on your mower blade in just minutes. It has a durable plastic head, oversized...

smithsproducts.com

 

[RjCorazza]

No experience with that particular device, but I've tried many sharpening gizmos over the years. None of them were worth the time or money.
That thing may (may) pretty-up a sharp serviceable blade, but I just don't see it sharpening a worn blade.
Just get a cheap angle grinder with a 60 grit flap disc. I use one in a jig that keeps the angle perfect.

 

[GaryM]

Angle grinder & flap wheel works great

 

[bmg88201]

What the heck is that gizmo ? I use an angle grinder and I’m done in a few minutes. So many gadgets out there, just like the gizmos to sharpen chainsaw chains that are crap too.

 

[5030]

never sharpened a mower blade here. Being on sandy loam the blades just wear away on the edge and get replaced every 2 years. Get them from Agri Supply.

 

[John0829]

You need something that will remove metal from the blades to sharpen them. A belt sander works really good, an angle grinder with a flap disk or bench grinder are the standard. Can even sharpen with a plain ole file if want but the only thing that "device" will remove is money from your wallet.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I used a grinder with a flap disc and did ok, then I bought one of these and it has really been worth the money for me. I sharpen 3 blades on 3 different mowers (9) plus a push mower blade and it has really helped me get the best edge and longevity out of them.

All American Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener

We provide high quality lawn mower blade sharpeners at an affordable price. Our products are made in the USA and built to last. We also provide video tutorials about the best way to use our jigs to sharpen your blades.

www.allamericansharpener.com

 

[John0829]

I also bought one of those, always thought I was pretty good at holding the angle. It proved me wrong. About 5 or 6 quick passes and the blades are ready to go.

 

[5030]

Keep in mind that blade balance is critical, especially on lawnmower blades. Un balanced blades will quickly destroy the spindle bearings. Why I just replace them instead of fiddling with them.

 

[GeneV]

I'm also in the flap disc on angle grinder camp, cheap and easy.

 

[4570Man]

Keep in mind that blade balance is critical, especially on lawnmower blades. Un balanced blades will quickly destroy the spindle bearings. Why I just replace them instead of fiddling with them.

People like to say that and maybe it’s true for homeowner grade mowers. Quality mower spindles last a long time. I’m sure if the blade was a pound out of balance it would be bad but a small amount from sharpening won’t make any difference.

 

[GeneV]

I check mines after sharpening with one of those cone doodads. If it's way off balanced, I'll hit the heavier side again with the flap disc.

A slight off balance is not going to do anything to your spindles. Heck, check a new blade for balance, even those commonly have a slight off balance.

 

[5030]

People like to say that and maybe it’s true for homeowner grade mowers. Quality mower spindles last a long time. I’m sure of the blade was a pound out of balance it would be bad but a small amount from sharpening won’t make any difference.

I take it you don't bother to balance you vehicle tires either. Don't consider my M60 Tank to be a 'homeowner grade ZTR. One thing I did do was I took the spindles apart and removed the inner seals on all the bearings so when I grease them, grease actually gets in the bearings. Never sharpen any blades. Easier for me to replace them.

 

[4570Man]

I take it you don't bother to balance you vehicle tires either. Don't consider my M60 Tank to be a 'homeowner grade ZTR. One thing I did do was I took the spindles apart and removed the inner seals on all the bearings so when I grease them, grease actually gets in the bearings. Never sharpen any blades. Easier for me to replace them.

I don’t sharpen mower blades until they’re a twig but I’ll sharpthem a few times. It takes like 5 minutes to grind them and they’re like $70 for a set. That seems pretty worthwhile to me.

 

[Cycledude]

Tried the flap grinder it’s ok, bench grinder is ok but very easy to mess up the angle, hand file works pretty well and not much chance of messing things up, next year I might try taking the blades to local dealer and see what happens. Once a year sharpening is about all I usually need to do these days, actually sharpened them a few days ago.

 

[5030]

Tried the flap grinder it’s ok, bench grinder is ok but very easy to mess up the angle, hand file works pretty well and not much chance of messing things up, next year I might try taking the blades to local dealer and see what happens. Once a year sharpening is about all I usually need to do these days, actually sharpened them a few days ago.

reminds me of taking chainsaw loops in to be ground, something I quit doing long ago. I grind my own (and others as well) now and I only remove enough tooth to restore the cutting edge.

 

[Cycledude]

reminds me of taking chainsaw loops in to be ground, something I quit doing long ago. I grind my own (and others as well) now and I only remove enough tooth to restore the cutting edge.

New set of blades for my Kubota ZD21 is about $60 , currently have 2 sets but one set is about worn out from sharpening so I’m probably going to buy another new set but might try mulching blades next time.
I’m surprised you were not able to properly sharpen your chainsaw with a hand file.

 

[GeneV]

I use a harbor freight sharpening contraction for the chainsaw chain, works awesome.

Electric Chain Saw Sharpener

Amazing deals on this Electric Chain Saw Sharpener at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[RjCorazza]

Back to the balancing matter...
I balance my blades with a Mag1000 tool, and keep them practically perfect. There is no penalty in keeping blades relatively balanced, and even brand new blades can be unbalanced.

That said, I have never experienced a spindle bearing failure in thousands of hours of commercial use. No failures does not necessarily mean unbalanced blades cause bearing failures though. I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle, meaning that slightly out of balance blades can cause premature wear and that severely unbalanced blades can cause rapid failure.

 

[5030]

I use a harbor freight sharpening contraction for the chainsaw chain, works awesome.

Electric Chain Saw Sharpener

Amazing deals on this Electric Chain Saw Sharpener at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Don't consider the HF saw chain sharpener to be an accurate tool plus the non standard wheel diameter precludes the use of CBN wheels which is all I use. When grinding chain, consistent grinding between left and right hand cutters is paramount and the plastic HF grinder is incapable of doing that.

It's cheap compared to say an Oregon (Tecomec) chain grinder but like everything in life, you get what you pay for.