How to Make Mulching Blades
Making your own mulching blades, as opposed to buying them, ensures the craftsmanship of the blades. Despite the difficulty of this project, it can save you lots of money on replacing store-made blades in the long run. Knowing the make and model of the mulching equipment you're fitting the blades to is important. Making a blade for any purpose requires metal-working skills and access to an open outdoor space with a concrete surface for metal striking. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Flat sheet of steel ¼ inch thick
- Hacksaw
- Metal file with fine grate
- Cardboard
- pen
- Metal clamp
- Dowel pin reamer, or drill
Instructions
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Measure your equipment and record the interior length and width of your machine. Note that the make and model of machine will be different from the sample sized used here. Lay your cardboard onto the floor and draw a rectangular shape on the cardboard. The shape should measure 2 and 1/4 inches in width and 19 and 1/4 inches in length for a standard size recycler mulching system. Cut the cardboard piece out and lay it on top of the steel sheet. Trace the cardboard cut out onto the sheet of steel, using the pen.
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Secure the marked sheet of steel in a metal clamp and tighten for ultimate grip. Using the hack saw cut as close to the marked line as possible. Once the rectangular piece is cut from the sheet, remove all excess steel threads by filing the edges with a metal file. Use a slanted angel when filing for best results in smoothness. Keep your hand steady as you work along the sides of the steel, giving it even edged filing is important to the outcome of the blade.
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Measure the center point of the blade and mark it with a pen, drawing a line down the middle. File on the upper left corner only to the middle line and again to the line on the lower right corner of the blade .Sharpen only those the edges until they are filed to the density you desire.
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4
Take the blade from the clamps and examine it closely, for it's balance. Any distortion or dip in the blade can cause uneven cut in the grass and pick up rocks in the process. If the blade is uneven or not balanced it must be heat tempered and struck with a sledge hammer against a hardened surface such as concrete or an anvil to correct the problem.
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Measure the center point of the machines rigging and mark it on the blade with a pen. Using the mark measured, check your mulching machine and make note of the amount of attachment dowel pin holes you will need to drill into the blade. Measure and mark the correct number and space between attachments. Clamp the blade into the metal vice and drill the holes with a dowel pin reamer.
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Tips & Warnings
Use goggles, and gloves when cutting and handling metal sheet otherwise it can cut your hands.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Digging in the garden image by dquinnan from Fotolia.com
