Sharpening Lawnmower Blade

Maxson

I decided to try sharpening the blade of my rotary mower. I saw it being done with a file on TV but I thought a powertool would be less laborious and I bought a set like these: https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p12181 and used them in a drill.

It worked OK but not really man enough to take much metal off. The mower is cutting better for now though. The blade is really battered though and needs more grinding off. I've also got a mattock and shears and lots of other garden tools that could do with a sharpen. So I could get a cheap bench grinder but that will take up space. Or will one of these work well: http://www.silverlinetools.com/en-GB/Products/Gardening%20%26%20Groundworks/Sharpening/270952

glasgowdan

I have always used a 115mm angle grinder for all of my tools, it works a treat and does it nice and quickly

Maxson

I've used an angle grinder for this at work but I don't own one myself and I'm looking for a more moneysaving way!

Davesnave

If you have a garden to maintain, and probably some property to go with it, a cheap 115mm angle grinder would surely pay for itself in the long run? My £20 B&D has done countless roof, floor and wall tiles in the last 4 years and it's still working well for jobs like this.

Sometimes, being too thrifty is a bad thing; it results in buying part-solutions and wasted time. If you don't value your time, fine, but like money, one only has so much of it to spend.

That said, I find hand files brilliant for sharpening most tools. Maybe not a mattock though. Power sharpeners can be overkill when all that's needed is a few file strokes.

peter_the_piper

Considering how few times most people sharpen their mower blade then taking it to their local mower repairer could be a sensible solution. Which ever you choose make sure the blade is very well secured on the spindle as a flying blade is not much fun.
ps if you have a cylinder mower then the repair shop is the only practical solution.

Justagardener

Yep angle grinder every time. Offer to do your neighbours' for a fiver a time and get your money back.

Maxson

All good points!

Maxson

I bought a cheap little silverline angle grinder in the end and I haven't regretted it.