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How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

Sharpening a dull lawn mower blade will save you the trouble and money of buying a new one and cut your grass more effectively.

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Angle iron Bench grinder Gloves Goggles

Pail

Tarpaulin Wire brush Wood block Wrench

Clip Transcript For:

How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Sometimes it's not necessary to replace a lawn mower blade. You may only need to sharpen the blade and put it back into service. Here's how to sharpen a lawn mower blade. First, disconnect and move the spark plug wire away from the spark plug. This will eliminate any chance of the mower starting while you are working on the blade. Flip the mower on its side, being careful not to spill the gas and oil from the engine. Flip the mower so that"

" or nicks in the blade, it's a candidate for sharpening. If the blade is even slightly bent or you discover any sign of metal fatigue, such as a hairline crack, replace the blade with a new one of the same length. Find an area where the blade is dull, but the cutting angle is still clearly visible. Set the rest on the bench grinder to the angle taken from the blade. This will help you to guide the blade so that the angle remains the same across the length of the"

" the blade ruins the temper or hardness of the blade, which is dangerous because the blade becomes brittle and can break. When you you're finished, the blade should have an evenly cut angle on the cutting areas of both sides of the blade and the blade should be well balanced. Now, clean the engine shaft with a wire brush to remove any debris. Replace the blade, the washer, and the nut and move the wooden block to brace the blade on the opposite side. Tighten the bolt securely and your mower is ready for another season."

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