Do you prefer to use a bench grinder, a vise and hand grinder or file, let someone else do it or just buy a new set of blades?

I bought an extra set of blades so I can always keep one set sharp via a bench grinder.

With Honda mower blades being relatively inexpensive (~$30 per set), it's not that much of a burden to simply replace them every year.

With an oil change, new air filter, new spark plug, and new blades at the start of each mowing season, I spend $45 and 20 minutes of time on maintenance for the mower annually. And it just keeps ticking.

Yeah, I could do it a bit cheaper by resharpening blades myself. But like paying someone to do my oil changes, spending the ~$30 is worth it just to save myself the time and hassle of sharpening and balancing.

Flap disc on an angle grinder, and I too have two sets.

I used to use a bench grinder, then used an angle grinder with hard wheel, and now I use a flap disc on the angle grinder. By far the quickest, easiest and removes the least amount of metal, plus it gives a slightly convex edge that seems to last longer than the hollow ground edge that the other methods produce.

Ha! I think I still have one of those graduated balancer thingies in my rolling tool chest. Good thing they aren't made of steel since I've not used it in 11 years!!

Don't plan to anytime soon either, and retirement home plans include "Arizona" landscaping plans in Alabama.

I sharpen my own, now, because new blades are too expensive to replace two-three times/year and everybody else that sharpened 'em did a hack job. (Plus the hassle of dropping 'em off, picking 'em up, dropping 'em off, ...)

I bought one of these jigs: All American Sharpener (The one that's adjustable for 30-45°)

The DeWalt 3-1/2 in. angle grinder they recommend and a selection of flap discs.

One of these balancing tools: MaxPower 339075B Magnetic Wall Mount Blade Balancer

And a couple files.

I didn't mess around

The main disadvantage to that system is the discs rotate away from the edge, which makes for one heckuva "wire edge" when you're done sharpening. Thus the files.

I just use a file. Slow but works.

I do have an angle grinder , so maybe I'll try this flap disc thing y'all are referring to.

A carpenter buddy of mine used to sharpen his chisels with a belt sander. I always got a less than straight edge when I tried to do it.

I am fortunate to have a large disc/belt sander so that's my preferred tool for the job.
Sharpening them often makes the job much easier and keeps from shredding the grass.

14" half round bastard

quote:

Originally posted by 08 Cayenne:
14" half round bastard

^This^

Dremel and then had a balancer cone to insure I had evenly removed from both ends


Dad uses a bench grinder and balancer cone. His way is faster, but speed has a drawback as it's easier than Dremel to take off more metal than needed and have to replace blades sooner.

quote:

now I use a flap disc on the angle grinder. By far the quickest, easiest and removes the least amount of metal, plus it gives a slightly convex edge that seems to last longer than the hollow ground edge that the other methods produce.

Good advice!

I also use a 4 1/2" flap disc in 60 grit on an angle grinder. Works good!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jelly, August 26, 2020 07:30 PM

For minor sharpening I use a WorkSharp.

We have a place in town that does it for 7 bucks, so I drop them off and be done with it.

Spare pair and bench grinder for me. Cant be bothered balancing though.

I do mine on my bench grinder when I have time but touch them up right on the mower with a Dremel.
I've never worried about balance and have never had any issues with increased vibration from unbalanced blades.

I use a Dremel.

Mine has three blades. I'd rather buy a new set instead of wondering which blade became unbalanced.

Not really a financial thing, I've had the same zero turn mower since 2003.

I have 2 sets for my Kubota. I sharpen them with an angle grinder.