Best way to sharpen blades on rotary cutter
Redmessage
Join Date: Posts: 1 |
2002-05-18 38749
I know this may be a simple question, but what is the best way to sharpen the blades on my 5' rotary cutter? I would prefer to not have to remove the blade and sharpen while attached. But do you use a grinder disk on a drill or what? What type of grinder disk? The pasture I have to mow is just medium density grass, no saplings or small trees. Thanks in advance.
Redman
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Best way to sharpen blades on rotary cutter
dsg
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 528 Franklin, Maine Pics |
2002-05-18 38764
Redman,
I use a 4" handheld ele. grinder. I don't really sharpen the blades I just dress them up a bit, flaten out the dings but trying to keep about an 1/8" blunt edge.
David ....
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Best way to sharpen blades on rotary cutter
TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley |
2002-05-19 38775
I keep something of an edge on my riding mower blades but I do it with a big mill-file. Well, the mower still cuts OK and I sharpened the blades about three years ago.
For a rotary cutter that's intended to cut material heavier than grass, I wouldn't want a very sharp cutting bevel. Thin edged blades mash up, or chunks break off, when they hit something woody.
I use a file because I really don't know if these blades are made of mild steel. Mild steel grinds OK on a high-speed wheel, but high-speed grinders generate heat and take the temper out of tempered edges. Quite a few decent wood chisels are rendered pretty useless by box store grinders.
....
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Best way to sharpen blades on rotary cutter
John Mc
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 98 Vermont |
2002-05-19 38783
I use a 4" (4.5" ??) angle grinder on my brush mower and do it right on the mower. The grinder was a cheapie, $25 or so. Works great... the only problem I have is figuring out how to direct the grinding sparks so I don't fry myself (heavy gloves and an old Carhart jacket help). I can usually figure out something with pieces of old 2x4 to keep the blades from pivoting while I try to grind them.
I do NOT use a fine grit wheel, since this tends to generate more heat. Take it slow, let things cool as you go.
I try to take off the same amount of each blade to maintain balance, but after a couple of resharpenings I usually pull the blades off and grind to match the weight and balance point of the blades. ....
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Best way to sharpen blades on rotary cutter
David Carpenter
Join Date: Posts: 1 |
2002-05-20 38838
I have a 5' Bush Hog and use a 4.5 angle grinder also, works fine. I use quick clamps, clamped to the back of the cutter to keep the blade from moving. Safety goggles are a must, along with gloves and a jacket. I have found that the blades on the Bush Hog hold their edge much better than the generic cutter I had before.
....
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