sharpening lawn mower blades?

[maxonsystems]

O.K. I bit the bullet and bought the tormek system.  It in fact is the coolest tool I have in my shop.  My question is on the topic of sharpening lawn mower blades.  Can it be done with the tormek system and with what jig?

Regards,
Eric

[Jeff Farris]

Your lawn will love you for it!

Turn your TORMEK around so that the wheel is turning away from and freehand grind the lawnmower blade, approximating the orginal bevel angle of the blade.  You will want to frequently use your Stone Grader to clean the the stone and keep it cutting effectively.  

Most lawnmower blades are a relatively soft steel (otherwise they would chip worse than they do).  The leather strop will remove the wire edge, but it is a bit time consuming and is definitely over-kill.  I use the side of the stone.

[RussHunt]

I too am a new Tormek user.  I have proved to myself that with a few minutes work Wal-Mart scissors can cut.  Back to the lawnmower blade - do we know what the correct angle is supposed to be?   Ours has been "free handed" on a grinder so many times that I know that it is not right.   Yes, this is overkill but the blades of grass will be cut sharply and thus the lawn will look better.

Thanks for any insight.

Russ  

[Jeff Farris]

Generally...

How's that for a disclaimer.  

They should be at 45 degrees.  Think about it this way, if the angle is long (30 or less) the edge will be brittle, and any little twig will nick it.  Blunter than 45 and you quit cutting and start whacking.