Approach to sharpening lawn mower blades

[Rossy66]

First, thanks to Ken S for starting this section and I hope it will help others.

I have been asked a couple of times to sharpen lawn mower blades and was wondering is anyone has experience in grit selection. I have both the SG-250 and DF-250 and was wondering if I could just use the SG-250 with the rough grit and no honing as its just cutting grass and docent need to be refined? I have watched a couple of videos and pretty much all people use a grinder which I thought would effect the temper of the edge which, again may be OK as its only cutting grass.

Thanks

[Royale]

I think something to consider when sharpening things designed to spin, is the balance of it.

I've never sharpened lawnmower blades before, but I have sharpened a giant 35cm deli meat slicer blade. I was very mindful to keep the sharpening as even as possible around the entire circumference, and waiting on any complaints/feedback from the customer.

[Rossy66]

I also have researched about balancing the lawnmower after sharpening and there are a number of balancers (I have already ordered one) that helps you balance the blade during the sharpening process. An unbalanced blade can and over time, will damage the shaft and bearings over time so balancing is very important.

[John Hancock Sr]

Lawnmower blades are very forgiving and any sharpening will be infinitely better than how they come from the factory. I have typically used an angle grinder in the past. However a flat single cut file will produce as fine an edge as you will ever need. I would not even bother with the tormek to be honest.

[RichColvin]

I use a machinist's hand file.  It works fine. 

[GeoBoy]

Go to allamericansharpener.com if you want to sharpen your mower blades. This product is fantastic.

[MikeK]

Lawnmower blades are very forgiving and any sharpening will be infinitely better than how they come from the factory. I have typically used an angle grinder in the past. However a flat single cut file will produce as fine an edge as you will ever need. I would not even bother with the tormek to be honest.

I use an angle grinder with the flappy sanding pad for my mower blades.  A drift punch clamped horizontally in the vice provides a nice balancing reference for the blades.  If I don't feel like breaking out the angle grinder, I use a file.

I think using the Tormek on lawn mower blades is overkill.