How to Sharpen Reel Mower Blades
An old-fashioned reel push mower cuts grass quietly and cheaply. The spiral-shaped blades work like half a pair of scissors while the cutter bar acts as the other half. As the blades slice against the cutter bar, they snip off the grass, but, like scissors, they'll cut poorly or jam if they're dull or misaligned. If the cutter bar and blades are badly chipped or nicked, you can remove the cutter bar to allow better access and grind all the cutting edges to restore them before a final sharpening. You can perform routine sharpening without disassembling anything. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Smooth minor burrs from the blades and the cutter bar with a file.
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Adjust the cutter bar so it barely contacts the blades as they turn. Use the adjustment screws on either end of the bar.
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Spread valve-grinding compound on the cutting edge of the blades and the cutter bar with a rag or your fingers, careful of the sharp edges. You can purchase valve-grinding paste or compound at auto parts stores or hardware stores. Add water to it if necessary to make a paste that spreads and sticks on the edges.
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Turn the blades backwards for 5 or 10 minutes by hand, careful to avoid the edges. As the blades scrape against the cutter bar, the grit of the grinding paste hones them to a sharp edge.
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Wipe off excess paste with a rag and adjust the cutter bar again to make sure it contacts the blades lightly and evenly.
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References
- Photo Credit Woman trying to mow yard with manual mower image by bawinner from Fotolia.com
