Can you sharpen spades ?

1mm::
dave thats abuse

 

Go with you on this one Dave W and Pro I would never use an angle grinder on a lawn mower blade that will ruin it,for a quick dressing of the blade adjust it off the cutting plate stick a piece of emery stip on the cutting plate adjust the rotating blade slowly on it until you achieve a result,if you need a lot taking off send it to a specialist repairer or if you have access to a lathe and are competent at machining do it yourself.

 

Walnut, Its not a standard grinding or cutting disc but uses zincronium flaps and therfore you can easily regulate the amount of material you remove.

With the amount of grass I cut it does get some nasty dings from hidden stones etc and often needs 1mm or so removed I do use a blade balancer to get the blade even and some very fine wet and dry on a sheet of glass to finish it off.

I replace my blade every 12 months any way, the blades are �£30 so dont break the bank and I cut a hudge amount of grass anually.

My felco's I sharpen with a diamond stone and the same with loppers. My hedge trimmer blades are sent away every 12 months to be shapened and I ccompletly replaced them or the machine at 3 years. (although my Husquvarna seems better built than my old stihls and I may get 5 years use from it)

 

I used to sharpen the blades on my old Ransomes push mower by back-lapping. I made up a paste of carborundum grinding compound and rotated the blades backwards grinding against the sole plate. Took a bit of time but I'd end up with sharp blades that mated perfectly with the sole plate.

 

I would use a bench grinder, but if you make it too sharp you might chop your foot off!

 

Thanks for all the advice. I dont think I would have the ability, never mind the expertise to do it myself without someone showing me what to do. I will try the grinder they sell in gardening magazines and hope for the best.

 

Jean, just use a hand file suitable for metal.

 

You cant go wrong, just have a try at the end of the day its a spade not a hand plane or cut throat razor!

 

Jean do wot baitheplant says you cant go wrong go for it girl