Vermont American lawnmower blade sharpener

[lobo11]

Anyone use the blade sharpener from Vermont American that attaches to a drill?? If so, how was your experience?? Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill Kapaun]

If it's about 2-1/2" dia. (or so) with the tapered cups, it sucks.
It wants to chatter excessively.
It also removes metal from the top AND bottom sides. You don't want to remove metal from the bottom!!! You want the cutting EDGE to be the lowest part of the blade.
I grabbed my belt sander with a fairly coarse emery belt. Chucked the blade in a vise and it works much better.

 

[lobo11]

I think that is the one, guess I'll just stick with my ole' ____ file. Thanks.

 

[lobo11]

I guess bast@rd file isn't appropriate.

 

[lobo11]

whoops, I made a link, to where?? who knows.

 

[Master ACiD]

use a 9.99 harbour freight 4.5 inch circular grinder and put the blade in a benchtop vise.
afterwards balance it on a nail.

nice and smooth, blades last years like this.

 

[Steelhead]

if using a high speed grinder or belt sander, do NOT overheat the blade edge. loses temper and softens

grind lightly and move quickly

file is best for final finish edge and touchups

always balance check blade for long engine or deck bearing life

 

[H2GURU]

File it.

 

[punisher]

My dad came to visit for a couple weeks. He caught me using my bench grinder to sharpen a blade,and gave me his "are you stupid look", which brought back many memories of childhood.

Files are quick and don't heat the cutting edge. Cheap/worn files are dangerous, and I have the scars to back that up.

 

[Rick in PA]

I've got a hand-held belt sander (it uses a 1/2" wide belt). I just clamp the blade in the vise and give one side a bunch of quick, light passes (100 or so) until it's sharp. Then give the other side the same number of passes. I'm too lazy to file (use to do that). This has been working for the last 10+ years. I'm still on the same blade (I'm not only lazy, but I'm cheap, too).

 

[cb450sc]

So how does one properly sharpen a lawnmower blade using a hand file?

 

[bob_ninja]

Is the only problem with a bench grinder heat? I could always limit the grinding of an edge to 10-20 secs to avoid too much heat. Any other problems?

My blade hits all sorts of things, including tough tree stumps and an occasional stone. It is always dull. Hand file would take forever.

What would be the advantage of a belt sander over a grinder? (besides less heat)

thanks

 

[Bill Kapaun]

"What would be the advantage of a belt sander over a grinder? (besides less heat)"
Maybe someone doesn't have a grinder?

 

[rotorray]

I use my Dremel tool for sharpening. Quick, easy, and does a good job.

 

[yeehaw1960]

A benchtop grinder and lots of patience. I even do the really curvy mulching blades that way. Many fast passes so as not to overheat the edge. Many "real" service techs use a bench grinder for the straight ones and a hand held grinder for the mulchers. They don't care how hot it gets, because they will clean the burnt markings off with a wirewheel.