Learn How To Sharpen Your Lawn Mower

- Rubber mallet*

- Bench vise or C clamps

- Rotary blade sharpener accessory

- Electric drill*

- Screwdriver, or 1/4-in. rod or bolt*

- Blade balancer

- Replacement blade*

* Only if required

The list may look formidable, but tools are generally available with every DIY enthusiast.

Procedure:

The procedure is given for the simple single blade lawn mower, but the same will apply to all types of blades, whether single or double

- Wear hand gloves and clean the engine and the gasoline tank from outside

- Remove spark plug from the engine

- Remove all the fuel from the tank of the gasoline engine. Use the siphon hose so you do not spill gasoline on floor.

- Completely empty out the oil from gearbox if you have one

- Invert the engine and have access to the blade.

- Clamp the engine so it does not move and clean the blade area thoroughly

- With help of a box spanner, remove the nut holding the blade. Usually the nut will be unlocked in the reverse to direction of rotation of engine. You may engage the screwdriver in the cooling fan of engine to stop rotation of engine.

- If you find that you are using too much force to unlock the nut, put one or two drops of rust removing chemical, and try after 30 minutes

- After you remove the blade, clamp it in the bench vise and sharpen it with a file or a grinder. Sharpen only the outer 2 to 3 inches. The area to be sharpened will be known if you see the blade.

- Sharpen only to the required extent. Too much sharpening is not necessary. This is not the knife. It works at the speed of the engine

- After sharpening, check with your thumb. Be careful not to cut thumb. If you have done sharpening before, or seen some one doing it, you will know what we mean by this.

- Balance the blade with help of a small balancing tool on VEE blocks, or even on two foot rulers placed side by side

- Refit the blades, refill engine oil and gasoline and test the sharpness of blades on uncut portion of your lawn

Safety tips:

- Always use safety goggles and hand gloves when working with power tools.

- Be sure to remove the spark plug before starting. Serious accidents can happen if you do not do this.

Learn about garden snails and how to plant a garden at the Starting A Garden site.