flap wheels for sharpening mower blades

[Wamsutta]

Which grit number would you choose to sharpen the blade without turning the blade into a pile of metal dust in 5 minutes?

 

[seber]

The coarsest you can find. You are just trying to take metal off, Not looking for a polished finish.

 

[d.mcfarland]

80 or 120 seems fine. It's more user than it is product in this case.

 

[RoninB4]

Which grit number would you choose to sharpen the blade without turning the blade into a pile of metal dust in 5 minutes?

-That would depend upon how much metal you feel needs to be removed. If your mower blades are beat up from making fresh gravel then it's going to demand more metal being removed. Even in precision surface grinding I use the coarsest grit I can get away with while still having a decent surface finish. A coarse grit (36) also grinds at lower temperature than a higher grit number. Why is this important? If you ever see a blue-ish spot appear when grinding then you're ruining the temper of the blade and making it softer. You're burning the steel when it discolors. Having a better finish on the cutting edge does make it a more durable edge but I feel it's a marginal benefit not really worth pursuing for most. If I do get the notion I need a better edge I'll use a hand stone to achieve it after rough grinding. I also don't always grind out every little ding in the edge, a couple of small ones here and there isn't worth removing all that extra metal and reducing the blade life. If your lawn is your obsession, a showpiece, or a golf course then ignore what I've posted. I like long grass and so does the wildlife on my property.

 

[Dmsr87]

Great tip on not burning the blade. I saw the idea of using the flap disk to sharpen blades here and have never looked back. What used to be an absolute chore on my grinder is now done in a fraction of the time.

 

[Vercingetorix]

$22 for a new blade, I don’t bother to sharpen.

 

[PCustoms]

$22 for a new blade, I don’t bother to sharpen.

I'm shocked he's not returning it because it's worn out

 

[Steve W.]

$22 for a new blade, I don’t bother to sharpen.

THREE blades on my mower, they get sharpened several times a season.

Sorry, but I’m not gonna spend $500 every year to generate a pile of scrap metal.

IDEA. If your blades fit my mower, I’ll pay you to send them to me.

.

 

[OccupantRJ]

$22 for a new blade, I don’t bother to sharpen.

Can’t hide money!

 

[Steve_P]

I've been using 80 grit flap wheels for decades on mower blades- works great. I sharpen once a year at the end of the season, and clean everything else up, so I'm ready for next year. I buy a new blade every 10+ years; I can't remember the last time I replaced it.

 

[WWheeler]

I tend to use 120 grit. I never really need to take much off but I sure can see the difference in my cut grass when it needs it and after. I also sharpen brand new blades because they come dull by my standards. when I've used brand new unsharpened blades I've noticed they leave the ends of grass in tatters. After a quick sharpening the cut edge of the blades of grass are flat and clean. I sharpen / balance & check straightness the beginning and middle of each season, and more often if I hit anything I didn't see.