How Do You Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades?
• Disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent the lawn mower from accidentally starting. • Drain the gas from the lawn mower. • Tip the mower on its side. Use a wrench or socket to remove the mounting nut or bolt to remove the blade from the lawn mower. • Place a block of wood between the blade and deck of the mower to prevent the blade from moving while you loosen the nut or bolt. • Clamp the blade in a vise. • Run a metal file along the factory-beveled edge of the lawn mower blade. Keep the file at an angle to the bevel of the blade. In many cases this is a 40- or 45-degree angle, but check with the lawn mower manufacturer for the exact angle. • Move the file with short, smooth strokes in the direction of the cutting edge. • Make the same number of strokes on each side of the blade. Taking too much off one side of the blade could result in the blade being unbalanced. • Sharpen the blade using a bench grinder if there is extensive damage to the blade. Move the blade back and forth again
