How to Sharpen Lawnmower Blades

If you haven't sharpened your lawnmower blades in a while, or ever, they could probably use a good sharpening. This time, I'm sharing my process of sharpening and balancing lawnmower blades. This is how I've done it for many years. I'm going to sharpen one with a File and another with an angle grinder.
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Please remember when using tools of any type, there is the potential for injury. Make sure you know how to use your tools properly, work at your own risk, be safe, wear your safety gear, and most of all, have fun!
#lawnmowerblades #sharpening #cuttinggrass

[@teddymac3737]

Here is somebody who knows what he is doing. Notice that he draws his file slightly upward when sharpening the blade. Why file upward? You file upward because you don't want to "rollover" the edge. Rollover is caused when you file downward. Filing downward makes the blade look nice and shiny but you will rollover the edge causing the blade to be just as dull as before you started. It is a subtle technique in learning to file upward away from the blade edge but this gentleman does it perfectly.

[@AUSklaatu59]

Hi Jeff great video my friend, you were very correct regarding using a draw file method. As a metal worker that's how we sharpen our tin snip blades, as an apprentice I sepent hours and hours draw filing metal squares until they were perfectly square and straight.

[@homebuiltshop]

It's a great method. I need to practice more with it. 👍

[@RBKinKC]

Very good, balanced review of various techniques. Too many reviews preach one way vs. another. But reality is there's always more than one way to skin a wookie. You showed us the right way for both powered and old school. P.S. I'd never actually skin a wookie.

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks. I try not to get too hung up on the method. Everyone has a preference and whatever works the best for your situation is the best way for you. 👍

[@Paul-vf4wv]

Grow up and stop thinking the world is based on star wars. Get out in the real world and make stuff

[@jkuper221]

Dude... solid channel! Just discovered it this morning after thinking how I need an axe for just-in-case scenarios as I live in a heavy wooded area. I've also started a landscaping company and knowing how to sharpen my mower and pruner blades is essential! Thanks for taking your time to create the great content!

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks Man! Welcome to the channel.

[@carolinacoins]

Your instruction skills are very precise and clear. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks, I'm happy it was helpful.

[@notanavrageloser]

Holy crap, someone used a file cleaning card! That just earned you some algorithm-approved Engagement ™️. Nice video!

[@homebuiltshop]

Hey, thanks! I try to use one all the time.

[@odeliesha]

Thank you so much for your detailed explanations and for showing multiple methods in 1 video. I was nervous about sharpening my blade but you relieved the anxieties i had about hurting myself trying.

[@homebuiltshop]

You can do it!

[@UTube_userRM]

Thanks for a very clear and instructive video. I am very curious about how you mounted your vise, and would appreciate some pictures/pointers. Thanks again.

[@MrNcgy]

Thanks very much, especially for the balance point!

[@billbohobo3633]

Love this video I've been doing it totally wrong thank you

[@djs022867]

Great video! Only thing is I can’t help wondering if the heat produced by the grinder will take the temper out of the blade.

[@homebuiltshop]

It can if you get too aggressive. You don't want to change the color of the metal and you should be just fine.

[@oldguy3525]

Thanks for a great video that is easy to follow .

[@CuriousKL]

Any form of 'grinding' wheel can be too aggressive. Mainly because it heats up the blade. This would make the edge brittle. A flap wheel is best in a angle grinder instead of a grinding wheel. A flap wheel is a spinning sandpaper disc. I have used small diameter grinding wheel chucked up in a air die grinder, but it is not my go to preference. There are also the small disc pads for a die grinder, they work good also. Regardless whatever way is used a file is going to be a required tool to finish the job. The angle of most blades is 30°. Checking the angle occasionally while working the blade to an edge is a good idea. Made up a 'angle checker' by simply manufacturing a couple 1/4" thick sticks glued together set at the 30° angle. It hangs on the tool board of the work bench. The other required tool has to be a good bench vise, otherwise all methods of doing this in your home shop is too much trouble. So, what causes the blade to become so banged up in the first place? My go to answer is always the same. YOUR CUTTING YOUR GRASS TOO SHORT. RAISE IT UP TO NO LESS THAN 2 1/2 INCHES PEOPLE.

[@wesleylowe6742]

Great video. Only problem is the metal in the blades these days are absolute junk. They don't keep an edge because they're so soft. I weld the edge of mine and then sharpen them. I also run two to three lines of weld down the blade to make it less likely to bend. You just have to be careful not overheat the blade and make it warp. Lasts all season. And we have around 3 acres of lawn on a farm with roots and the occasional rocks etc.

[@homebuiltshop]

I've noticed that they don't hold an edge. I thought I was just rough with them. Welding them is a great idea.

[@frangiew9076]

Great great info and fun to watch

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks!

[@johnlynch5573]

Thanks bud,you have saved my bacon .

[@CuriousKL]

I use a 3/8 impact wrench. Always has been air driven, now it's cordless.

[@henryjc08]

Great tips.

[@Hadi-yh4sm]

Thank you 🙏

[@nitedk]

Thanks for this 😊

[@erikandreassen6531]

Remember to pull the spark holder or you might have an unexpected start and nasty like starting with your fingers which will be a very short time. Blades a tough fingers are soft, you work it out. As he said there there tools. balancing wheels or you can go to a maintenance shop. A small amount of sharpening you can do yourself BUT to get it back to true you need either a professional or special tool. Forgot great video of a repair, thanks.

[@CelticDruidess1]

Thank you

[@nosilverharbinger]

I’ve sharpened a few lawnmower blades in my life, and I’ve used different methods over the years for every step. I think this is a good video for people with limited budgets, but my gripes are the blade is too dirty. That will effect the balancing so every effort should be taken to get the blade being resharpened as clean as possible. And I’d recommend not using a nail to balance a resharpened blade. They are not accurate enough and it can lead to damaging your lawn mower.

[@CuriousKL]

Cross filing has it's place in this.

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for sharing that

[@paulbonaventura4969]

my kobalt blade is a POS.... i got a new blade and in 1 season it's ripping off the tips of the st augustine.... for $20 is it worth sharpening or just getting a new one?

[@homebuiltshop]

I guess it depends on which way you want to go. Knowing me, I'd probably sharpen it and save the $20. Lol.

[@notme3686]

Nice video.

[@homebuiltshop]

Many many thanks

[@joejohn6903]

Nice video

[@antman2.0]

Good tip on balancing the blade.

[@hilltopper600]

use a black marker first to see your angle

[@hilltopper600]

use a 40grit flap disc

[@MarekGrubala]

I made it in the same way ;)

[@dmfor9001]

Take plug wire off for safety

[@homebuiltshop]

Good call!

[@leopardabsurdity]

If not wearing safety glasses and you are lucky in that the metal bits don't outright penetrate into the eye, the little tiny bits of metal get embedded in surface of eye, they will rust and leave a rust halo. The sooner the metal is removed the less halo. The halo IS a long term problem and has to be dremeled out by the ophthalmologist with a special tool. So wear the glasses AND get care immediately if you get something in your eye while being stupid.

[@maxsno]

Dr. Wooden Eye I see

[@CuriousKL]

So, with all his untraveled eye sight of lawn mower blades, what is the main reason blades get 'beat up'?

[@giovannipetitti1588]

💯💯💯💯👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks Giovanni!

[@cricket6009]

👌 👏👏 - still brilliant information. Put it to use today and blitz’d that lawn. Thank you 😊

[@nancy-dharmadee4703]

How about..."how to sharpen an old old hand mower blade that can't get out of the lawnmower due to rusted soiled ".. and no there are no power tools in this new Zealand home as I don't have power

[@CuriousKL]

Gee, another video on how to sharpen a lawn mower blade.

[@MrMnmn911]

There are more. Do a KZbin search.