How to Sharpen Cylinder Lawn Mower Blades

Consider sharpening your lawn mower blades if they become dull.

Lawn mower blades become dull over time due to rocks and other objects the blade may hit. Keeping a sharpened lawn mower blade ensures evenly cut grass. Sharpening your lawn mower blade does not require extensive knowledge or tools. If your blades become dull, you do not need to replace the lawn mower blade. Keeping all grass clippings away from the underside of the lawnmower helps to keep the blades sharp. When working with sharp lawn mower blades, take precaution to avoid injury.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Scrap piece of wood
• Adjustable wrench
• Hammer
• Vice
• Medium-rough flat file
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Drain the gas from your lawn mower by carefully pouring it from your gas tank into a container. Disconnect the spark plug wire. Turn your lawnmower upside down on a flat surface.

2. Wedge the lawn mower blade into an immobile position with your scrap piece of wood. Grasp the other end of the blade with your hand (wearing gloves) and loosen the three center bolts on your lawn mower blade with your adjustable wrench. If the bolts stick and do not loosen, tap the wrench with your hammer.

3. Remove the blade from the lawn mower. Inspect the blade for any damage. If your blade is bent, do not attempt to straighten it, as this may cause serious injury. Replace any bent lawn mower blades.

4. Place the lawn mower blade in your vice with the sharp end facing up. Sharpen the lawn mower blade along the original angle with your medium-rough flat file. File the blade in one direction towards the edge of the blade. File both edges equally.

5. Verify your lawn mower blade balances horizontally by placing a screwdriver upright in your vice and balance the center hole of the blade on the tip of the screwdriver. Check the balance one way and then flip the blade over and check the other side of the blade. If your lawn mower blade does not balance evenly, file metal from heavy end while avoiding filing the newly sharpened edge. Continue until your lawn mower blade balances.

6. Reinstall your lawn mower blade making sure the lift wing (bent piece on each end) point towards the deck of the lawn mower. This allows the lawn mower blade to cut grass properly.

7. Reattach the spark plug wires and refill the lawn mower with gas.

References

• Reader’s Digest: 1001 Do-It-Yourself Hints and Tips: Sharpening a Mower Blade