Blade sharpening, anybody try.

[clay1811/44c]

I have a cheap little 6" bench grinder that doesn't sharpen blades very good. I've tried right angle grinder didn't like that. Worked better than the bench grinder. One day I tried my Dewalt belt sander with 120 grit belt. Man did it do a nice job and no blue hot spots. Today I sharpened a spare set of 759-3401 hardened blades. Did just as good job as my regular blades. I did catch the belt today and ruined the belt. The next belt I had was a 80 grit. It did the job just as good and quicker.

[Maxwelhse]

If I had a belt sander I WOULD try it.. Looks good!

Angle grinder for me still... My bench grinder works for crap for the job too.

[J-Mech]

Put a longer edge on it and they will last longer.

[Jeff in Pa]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Put a longer edge on it and they will last longer.

The longer edge stays sharper longer.

I use a 4-1/2" angle grinder with a 100 grit flap wheel to sharpen my blades. I wirewheel the grass debris off and balance them.

[Maxwelhse]

So where do you guys stop? Just short of the hole or just a couple more inches than he went?

One thing I can tell you for sure is you DON'T watch to watch the blade sharpening videos on youtube... I got curious about what other people were doing after seeing this thread.

[Jeff in Pa]

Originally Posted by Maxwelhse

So where do you guys stop? Just short of the hole or just a couple more inches than he went?

One thing I can tell you for sure is you DON'T watch to watch the blade sharpening videos on youtube... I got curious about what other people were doing after seeing this thread.

I go as far as the black arrow for length and approximately to the black dots back.

Up by the top blade is an approximation of the angle I grind too.

[jimbob200521]

Agreed with the guys above; take the edge in farther, and make the angle less steep. Otherwise, belt sander is a great way to go. I would personally love to have one in my shop.

[clay1811/44c]

I wandered what people meant when they said longer. But I see you mean the angle. For the most part it is close to what the factory had. My thought is if you angle it back farther then factory, making the edge thinner it will chip easier. A piece of paper will cut but wouldn't last long. But I should try and keep the angle the same when I sharpen the blades.

[Jeff in Pa]

Originally Posted by clay1811/44c

I wandered what people meant when they said longer. But I see you mean the angle. For the most part it is close to what the factory had. My thought is if you angle it back farther then factory, making the edge thinner it will chip easier. A piece of paper will cut but wouldn't last long. But I should try and keep the angle the same when I sharpen the blades.

It looks like you ground the angle steeper than factory ( maybe it's just the camera angle )

Also, make sure you balance the blades too. Hanging them on a nail is better than nothing.

[Cubby guy]

Ruined a few blades with the belt/angle grinders by going too fast. Since I only do my own CC and push mower blades, I do them by hand. takes a while. but I haven't "blue spotted" a blade in years.