Blade Balancer

[gmhill33]

Greetings,

Let me start by saying that I know you can go to the local Home Depot and get one for a few bucks, but I just thought it would be nice to try and make one. So, has anyone ever made one and do you know of a video on how to make one? I have looked and didn't find anything, then again it seems that finding things has to do with the wording so I may have not tried the right way of wording it (blade balancer, lawn mower blade balancer).

Thanks,
Gary

 

[Shop Specialties]

Nail in the wall.

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

are you talking about a cone shaped piece that goes through the center hole of the blade?


I made one on my lathe out of some solid plastic stock I had....I dont know if I've ever used it though....lol...

 

[Kevin54]

I always had a 16D nail in the side of the bench to hang the blade off of.

Here is a few pics of some for an idea. I like the smooth cone if I was going to make one. If you have a large enough steel ball bearing, you can use that. Just make a dimple in a plate of steel or hard wood so the ball doesn't roll off, then set the blade on top of the steel ball. There are many things in the garage you can use to check the balance either having the blade horizontal or having the blade vertical. A bolt sticking out of a vise will also work. Put the blade on it and the heavy end will start to drop.

 

[sirsloop]

+1 nail in the wall

KiSS

 

[darkk]

Balance? I just grind the edge a bit and slap it back on...

 

[gmhill33]

I always had a 16D nail in the side of the bench to hang the blade off of.

Here is a few pics of some for an idea. I like the smooth cone if I was going to make one. If you have a large enough steel ball bearing, you can use that. Just make a dimple in a plate of steel or hard wood so the ball doesn't roll off, then set the blade on top of the steel ball. There are many things in the garage you can use to check the balance either having the blade horizontal or having the blade vertical. A bolt sticking out of a vise will also work. Put the blade on it and the heavy end will start to drop.

Thanks for the reply. I really like that Magna Matic but a little expensive.

Gary

 

[5lima30]

I always put the blade in a vise and sharpen w/ a file like my grandfather showed me many years ago. Doing it that way I never really worried about the balance...but I suppose it you use a grinder it would be neccessary.

 

[sirsloop]

Grinder is just quicker... But only grind on one side

 

[gmhill33]

I always put the blade in a vise and sharpen w/ a file like my grandfather showed me many years ago. Doing it that way I never really worried about the balance...but I suppose it you use a grinder it would be neccessary.

I have never use a file. I have either used a bench grinder or a body grinder.

Grinder is just quicker... But only grind on one side

That is what i will use this time (body grinder).

We have used various different methods for balancing or we haven't balanced at all, just grind and go.

I just thought it would be a nice little project to make one.

Gary

 

[Milton Shaw]

A short blade doesn't really make much difference on balance. A long 22 or 25 inch blade will really shake a lot if its off. On my multi blade mower deck with short blades I balance but it really doesn't seem to make much difference.

 

[retDAC]

I just take out my pocket knife, unfold the blade, and use the upright edge to see how the blade balances.

Older man showed me that about 40 years ago. He worked in the shop at the cotton mill.

 

[DoyleDee]

Ps...I've heard its easier to sharpen a blade with a belt sander.. other than that a nail in a bench or in the wall.

 

[ezriderga]

I always put the blade in a vise and sharpen w/ a file like my grandfather showed me many years ago. Doing it that way I never really worried about the balance...but I suppose it you use a grinder it would be neccessary.

This is what I've done for years. Only takes a few minutes to get a good edge and doesn't make a mess. Don't really need a grinder unless you are mowing a lot of rocks.

 

[rsanter]

I lay a pencil on the bench and then put the blade on that
done that way for years

bob

 

[earlthegoat2]

Blade balancing is the final word in overkill home owner lawn mower maintenence. When I do care to find some semblance of balance I look no further than my fingertip.

No need to overthink things.

 

[gmhill33]

Blade balancing is the final word in overkill home owner lawn mower maintenence. When I do care to find some semblance of balance I look no further than my fingertip.

No need to overthink things.

The blade balancer was more of a project for the lathe than to actually balance the blades.

It's funny how there have been so many comments on how to or not to balance a blade and none on how to make the balancer which was the original question.

Gary

 

[GreyOwl]

EXCEPT you failed to mention what kind you wanted to make or what method you wanted to use to make it,so everyone just tried to cover all the options.
More specific questions yields more specific answers.

 

[gmhill33]

EXCEPT you failed to mention what kind you wanted to make or what method you wanted to use to make it,so everyone just tried to cover all the options.
More specific questions yields more specific answers.

True , so very true.

Here is the info I left out. One using aluminum on the lathe.

Gary

 

[JCQuick]

Wrist pin ot of a VW engine clamped in the vise

 

[X1 Mike]

It's funny how there have been so many comments on how to or not to balance a blade and none on how to make the balancer which was the original question.Gary

Welcome to the internet where pontificating is much more important than helping.

 

[1grnlwn]

Get a bearing the same size as your blade hole or smaller and mount with some spacers to a vertical surface. If bearing is smaller you can turn a spacer to make up the difference. Slide blade on to bearing and watch her spin.

 

[earlthegoat2]

OK fine, Ill play helper too then.

Get a 2x2 and a miter saw. Set the saw at 45 degrees. Cut 4 45 degree angles on the 2x2 to make a nice point. Then make a straight cut just at the bottom of where the miter cuts are.

 

[signcrafter]

OK fine, Ill play helper too then.

Get a 2x2 and a miter saw. Set the saw at 45 degrees. Cut 4 45 degree angles on the 2x2 to make a nice point. Then make a straight cut just at the bottom of where the miter cuts are.

I don't see how this would work right? You will end up with 4 "corners" that the blade will sit on, not allowing it to "tetter totter" on the wood. The metal balancers have a cone that the blade sits on. The cone is hollow on the inside and rests on a "nail" of sorts that allows the whole cone with blade on it to rock back and forth. If you do as you suggest there would be no rocking to see if it's balanced or not.

 

[Zeke]

The blade balancer was more of a project for the lathe than to actually balance the blades.

It's funny how there have been so many comments on how to or not to balance a blade and none on how to make the balancer which was the original question.

Gary

Why go to a lot of trouble if the answer is as simple as a pencil or nail?

 

[signcrafter]

The blade balancer was more of a project for the lathe than to actually balance the blades.

It's funny how there have been so many comments on how to or not to balance a blade and none on how to make the balancer which was the original question.

Gary

I don't have much lathe experience but if I was to try and make one on a lathe I would start with a round of 1 1/2" aluminum and try and copy the 5 dollar store bought one. Make steps on the outside to fit different blades and then drill out the inside, or use a cutter if they make one that will do that. With my experience I would stick to drilling on the lathe. First use a 1/4" bit to drill all but about 1/4" from the top to give you a nice "point" for the "needle" on the base to sit in. Then keep stepping up bigger sizes to clearance the inside to allow it to tetter totter on the base. Then make a base, start with another piece of 1 1/2" aluminum and leave a quarter inch base or so and then remove everything except a 1/8" to 3/16" needle that is long enough to keep the top about 1/4" off the base plate when sitting on the needle. I would use a file or bench grinder or cutter on the lathe to put a point at the tip of the needle.

Personally, since these are only a couple dollars I would just buy one and then use your time and money on a different project on the lathe. I'm 150% into the DIY thing, even if it means spending a few more dollars than buying one but in this case I don't think I could justify a few hours on the lathe and probably 20 bucks or more in aluminum for something that you will most likely only use a couple times a year.

If you do make one post a build thread with lots of pics!

 

[gmhill33]

I don't have much lathe experience but if I was to try and make one on a lathe I would start with a round of 1 1/2" aluminum and try and copy the 5 dollar store bought one. Make steps on the outside to fit different blades and then drill out the inside, or use a cutter if they make one that will do that. With my experience I would stick to drilling on the lathe. First use a 1/4" bit to drill all but about 1/4" from the top to give you a nice "point" for the "needle" on the base to sit in. Then keep stepping up bigger sizes to clearance the inside to allow it to tetter totter on the base. Then make a base, start with another piece of 1 1/2" aluminum and leave a quarter inch base or so and then remove everything except a 1/8" to 3/16" needle that is long enough to keep the top about 1/4" off the base plate when sitting on the needle. I would use a file or bench grinder or cutter on the lathe to put a point at the tip of the needle.

Personally, since these are only a couple dollars I would just buy one and then use your time and money on a different project on the lathe. I'm 150% into the DIY thing, even if it means spending a few more dollars than buying one but in this case I don't think I could justify a few hours on the lathe and probably 20 bucks or more in aluminum for something that you will most likely only use a couple times a year.

If you do make one post a build thread with lots of pics!

Why go to a lot of trouble if the answer is as simple as a pencil or nail?

I don't see how this would work right? You will end up with 4 "corners" that the blade will sit on, not allowing it to "tetter totter" on the wood. The metal balancers have a cone that the blade sits on. The cone is hollow on the inside and rests on a "nail" of sorts that allows the whole cone with blade on it to rock back and forth. If you do as you suggest there would be no rocking to see if it's balanced or not.

OK fine, Ill play helper too then.

Get a 2x2 and a miter saw. Set the saw at 45 degrees. Cut 4 45 degree angles on the 2x2 to make a nice point. Then make a straight cut just at the bottom of where the miter cuts are.

Get a bearing the same size as your blade hole or smaller and mount with some spacers to a vertical surface. If bearing is smaller you can turn a spacer to make up the difference. Slide blade on to bearing and watch her spin.

Welcome to the internet where pontificating is much more important than helping.

Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions.

Gary

 

[1320stang]

My Snapper has a 28" blade, it needs balanced when I sharpen it.

I have to sharpen about every 2nd mow due to my sandy backyard. I have 4 blades I rotate.

 

[stafford]

On whether to balance or not to balance, some of these mowers have blade speeds of 18,500 rpm. If they get a little out of balance you can definitely feel the vibration. It pays to balance them on some mowers.

 

[SSAAHemiFan]

http://www.jackssmallengines.com/Products/Craftsman/Tools/750042/57775

It would be a FUN lathe project.. but for 5 bucks ?

You could always buy this one as a template, and then make your own out of billet.

 

[MO-Iron]

I taught welding and machine shop until my retirement last year. A blade balancer would make an excellent project to learn and practice lathe skills. I would suggest making a blueprint and concentrate on making your project match the print (not as easy for a beginner as some people think). If you would like me to write a project procedure, let me know.

Learning to work close tolerances on fun projects will have your confidence up when an important task comes up.


MO-Iron

 

[gmhill33]

I taught welding and machine shop until my retirement last year. A blade balancer would make an excellent project to learn and practice lathe skills. I would suggest making a blueprint and concentrate on making your project match the print (not as easy for a beginner as some people think). If you would like me to write a project procedure, let me know.

Learning to work close tolerances on fun projects will have your confidence up when an important task comes up.


MO-Iron

That would be great, if you wouldn't mind.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[copterdoctor]

this is what I use... http://www.dsi-hums.com/Honeywell-Chadwick-Helmuth-Products/Vibrex-2000-Plus-V2K+



lol, jk... well, i use these to balance blades, but not on lawn mowers