Project details
Skill
1 out of 5EasyRequires practice to sharpen quickly, but the work isn’t difficult
Cost
About $4 to $8
Estimated Time
30 to 45 minutes
In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to convert a dull blade and cut grass cleanly.
Steps to Sharpen Mower Blades
- Disconnect the spark-plug wire from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
- Tip-up the lawnmower with its spark plug pointing vertically.
- Put on a leather work glove and grab hold of the lawnmower blade.
- Use a ratcheting socket wrench to remove the nuts holding the blade to the mower.
- Remove the blade from the mower.
- Clamp the blade in a vise and use a metal file to sharpen the cutting edges of the blade.
- Chuck a blade-sharpening stone into a drill/driver and use it to sharpen the lawnmower blade. Be sure to keep the stone’s plastic guide against the rear of the blade.
- Sharpen the lawnmower blade using a bench grinder and get it “butter knife sharp.”
- Repeat to sharpen the opposite end of the blade.
- Set the sharpened blade onto a blade balancer. If the blade is out of balance, file or grind a bit more steel from the heavy end.
- Use a putty knife to scrape away any matted grass clippings from the underside of the mowing deck.
- Reinstall the blade, firmly tightening the nuts with a ratcheting socket wrench.
- Lower the mower and reattach the spark-plug wire.
Tools
Tools & Materials
- Rachet wrench and sockets
- Hand file
- Drill/driver
- Sharpening stone
- Angle grinder
- Putty knife
- Safety work gloves