Reel Mower, Sharpening, Tune up, and Review

Sharpening, Adjusting the height, and Tuning up an Old Reel Mower. Then I give a review after my First Time using one.

[@mingulay29]

Negative comments really do my head in. The video maker is quite clear that he is improvising. During Covid it became hard to buy such things as valve grinding paste so you have to try something else. And you learn from that. Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this video for us. I, for one, learned a lot and will experiment with coarse and fine files on my mower.

[@EverydayJourney]

Gotta get things done. Even if you have to do it some other way. Being able to improvise is the key

[@DaceReynolds]

Well said, I got my feel mower during co-vid also. Very good video

[@EverydayJourney]

Thanks

[@Bayan1905]

I found one of these last week, an old Clemson, at the local dump, the guy was going to scrap it. I took it home, WD-40'ed the adjustment bolts and the thing cuts great, better than my Craftsman.

[@EverydayJourney]

Way to go. I see stuff at the scrap yard all the time and think why would anyone ever scrap that? I would make a killing fixing up stuff if I worked there

[@EverydayJourney]

I think that thieves are most of their business

[@muddshshshark]

mine is 1918 and is well oiled works perfect, all cast iron handle needs tightening

[@humdrummed]

back lap the reels with lapping compound. face the bed knife with a file. proper adjustment of the reels to the bed knife is critical. the reels are too tight to the bed knife at the end of the video. tall grass should be cut at the tallest setting and work your way down to the lower height.

[@PetrHosek]

First, get the lapping compound, it does not have to be the special stuff for mowers, a valve lapping compound will do. Then do the backlapping properly. Second, the correct setting is when the reel is as close to the fixed blade as possible without touching it, we're talking several thous here.. When set properly, it still cuts like scissors but without dulling the blades.

[@EverydayJourney]

I’m pretty sure that works great. No lapping compound in my garage. The diamond sharpener seemed to work great. A little hard to get it just right though. Thanks for watching

[@michaelthibault7930]

Would roofing tar, in a thin layer, improve the traction of the wheels? Lapping compound can probably be found in any garage that does serious service on ICEs. Never hurts to ask. Incidentally, have you considered swinging the handle over the mechanism and, with suitable limiter for the physical relationship of the handle to the mech, _pulling_ the mower through long grass?

[@EverydayJourney]

The problem with long grass is that it folds under the cutting blade instead of standing to be cut. It’s just problem with how they are all designed. As far as tar goes, I would think that it would just be messy. A replacement rubber wheel would be best. Or one might attempt to affix a tire tread from a childs bicycle or something. And for the lapping compound, I’m sure that most hardware stores would have it. I was just showing what one could do in a pinch

[@EverydayJourney]

The problem with long grass is that it folds under the cutting blade instead of standing to be cut. It’s just problem with how they are all designed. As far as tar goes, I would think that it would just be messy. A replacement rubber wheel would be best. Or one might attempt to affix a tire tread from a childs bicycle or something. And for the lapping compound, I’m sure that most hardware stores would have it. I was just showing what one could do in a pinch

[@EverydayJourney]

The problem with long grass is that it folds under the cutting blade instead of standing to be cut. It’s just problem with how they are all designed. As far as tar goes, I would think that it would just be messy. A replacement rubber wheel would be best. Or one might attempt to affix a tire tread from a childs bicycle or something. And for the lapping compound, I’m sure that most hardware stores would have it. I was just showing what one could do in a pinch

[@ldware9]

I have that reel mower in my garage that I'll start using again in the fall

[@EverydayJourney]

Just remember to mow often. If it gets high, it’s close to useless

[@muddshshshark]

Do NOT use a grinder ,it will make the blades uneven they are self sharpening ,adjust to 10 thou or less use abrasive grease on blades

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

found this entertaining - i buy and sell old reel mowers and I use a file and sandpaper to sharpen the blades

[@JIMMYJREVIEWS_thaiM-A-F-I-A]

That was very nice of you to help your friend 👍 good man ..

[@EverydayJourney]

Thanks. They never really used it. They would wait until grass got to tall, then call me to mow it for them

[@nobodypainter8813]

I think I would like one but Mom doesn't think it's a good idea.

[@bobolson5086]

And put a sharpening disk on the grinder

[@dugroz]

I should use one of these!

[@poisonpixie1146]

I used one of these once. It's hard work lol

[@EverydayJourney]

Now, now. You think my channel gets many female viewers? Why would you want to go and run them off? :)

[@VividBoi]

As someone who sharpens knives on stones, I'm not sure the way you sharpened is exactly right. I mean u just flattened the edge if you put the stone against the blade at a 90° angle like it appeared you did. Looks like a one sided bevel would be an appropriate sharpen for this blade (like a chisel). But of course taking the time to learn how to consistently sharpen keeping ur angle ain't everyone's cup of tea Nevermind the fact that the blades are in the shape of waves.

[@EverydayJourney]

The normal way is to sharpen the same surfaces using a abrasive paste and just spin it. I just did the same thing with a diamond stone instead. No different. Just an alternative for those like me with no abrasive compound

[@bigpapa8152]

@@EverydayJourney Used a metal file on mine, worked perfect. Just make sure to stay flat and even with the blade.

[@EverydayJourney]

Good deal. I’d be afraid the file might be to course.

[@yanywywbaywnb6257]

Son una maravilla estás makinas hurra para el inventor tengo una Masisa de no se k año pero muy buena

[@EverydayJourney]

Ahora tengo tres. no estoy seguro de qué hacer con todos ellos 😀

[@bobolson5086]

Use a grinder

[@Blaster651]

Needs a lil wd40

[@EverydayJourney]

Oiled it up before use. Really needs a good paint job

[@Blaster651]

@@EverydayJourney true

[@neilhamilton2621]

needs wd40

[@missmeyon]

Why is it so loud?

[@EverydayJourney]

It may be that I need to add some more oil/grease on the gears. As far as the background noise, there is nothing I ca do. Noisy road that I live near. Thanks for stopping by

[@missmeyon]

Everyday Journey The screech from the mower is pretty piercing.

[@EverydayJourney]

That’s just there to keep people awake :). Just kidding. Take care

[@slybunda]

you can hear it squeeking it needs oil

[@EverydayJourney]

It got oiled before I gave it back to the owner. They never even used it. It was to much work for them, even with a small yard

[@sherrynsnyder1583]

Hate the video. Old woman here. Just where do I put all this grease and compound. What valves etc. Where?

[@EverydayJourney]

Somehow never saw this comment. Grease just goes on all gears. The compound is just a paste that can be put on the reel to slowly sharpen it. Very fine abrasive. Good to use if you have some on hand

[@อํานาจทองบัว-ฆ1ง]

รถกวาดไปไม้

[@EverydayJourney]

ไม่แน่ใจว่าคุณกำลังพูดอะไร

[@556-z2m]

I hope you didn't charge for that.

[@EverydayJourney]

If I had someone like you that could do it for me then I would have gone that route

[@crispulocelestejr.9678]

Poor method.

[@EverydayJourney]

Yes, but effective. Just another way to do it if you don’t have the lapping compound

[@3urkej4mes]

Excruciating to watch

[@EverydayJourney]

Why

[@jmhall918]

@@EverydayJourney Probably because a 30-second search on Google could have saved you a trip to Harbor Freight and you could have made a video showing how to *properly* tune up and sharpen a reel mower. A for effort, but this simply isn't how these blades are meant to be sharpened. This is where "Smarter, not harder" is very applicable.

[@EverydayJourney]

You have a point. I had to think outside the box a little and work with what I had on hand. Got the job done though

[@jmhall918]

Everyday Journey KZbin commenters are all experts though. 😂

[@EverydayJourney]

Don’t I know it. Take care

[@abrothersworld8843]

Good vid. Love reel mowers. We just made one as well. Keep up the good work.

[@EverydayJourney]

Thanks, and thanks for watching

[@lena5546]

I have two reel mowers and love them - a 16" for the cemetery and a 22" for my lawn. I'm ready to sharpen the blades and I'm planning to use a mill file 10" (with handle) bastard cut. Is it best to use a sharpening compound or just use the file dry?

[@EverydayJourney]

Unless it’s a diamond file, the compound will probably finish it sharper.

[@slybunda]

as the intro mine is just like that, rusted up and got stuff stuck in the wheel area.

[@davidhakes5141]

For sharpening, or lapping, in a pinch, you can use some rubbing compound.

[@EverydayJourney]

toothpaste too :-) it just takes a lot longer

[@kareno8634]

i have (60's?) Craftsman Reel Mower that is NOT Listed - has Different Adjustment 'setup' i can NOT Figure out!! Have even searched Patents. Would Love Any suggestions. *Thanks!* I used File[s] on mine - worked pretty well. now i Must deal with that adjustment issues.

[@EverydayJourney]

Did it work when you first purchased it. As long as you still have all the parts, there is hope. I have several other reel mowers that I’ve made videos about. Maybe one of those will help

[@kareno8634]

@@EverydayJourney HI! Yes, it Worked, and Still Does. I did get it adjusted,^ but have NO Idea What i was doing. The Bar[?] would move then Jam. Engineering Degree would help. lol ^ Large 'Dbl Headed' Bolt through side - Loosen\Tighten, plus small single bolt few inches away. Will check out your other videos. *Thanks!*

[@EverydayJourney]

Good luck. Wish I could be more helpful. Hard to help from across the internet

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

the opening sequence is hilarious

[@EverydayJourney]

Many of these get to such disrepair, most would think it’s no longer useful. A quick tune up can make all the difference

[@USMC-Sniper-0137]

That's how Pollocks sharpen their blades LOL!!!!!!!

[@wayneessar7489]

If you have a friend bring you a reel mower to look over, in the future, a good first step is to back off that flat blade until the reel spins free. Then pry or wiggle the reel and look carefully at the ends of the shaft where they go into frame. Your looking for any looseness in the bearings. If the bearings are worn out you won't be able get a consistent setting. Some old mowers have an adjustment to take up the slop, newer one have inexpensive ball bearings that aren't hard to change. Hope this might be useful.

[@EverydayJourney]

Actually this might be very helpful. Just came across a few of these mowers and will be tuning them up soon. Thanks

[@wayneessar7489]

@@EverydayJourney Please accept a further comment. If you swipe a felt pen along the edge you would like to sharpen, then work your diamond block along the length of the blade you may save some time and just knocking that bit of rust off will make a big difference.