Don’t know how to handle your old lawn mower blades? We have the solution. Here are four best practices to guide you through the process, ensuring you make the most of your old blades.
What to do with old lawnmower blades? These are the best options:
You can sharpen old lawnmower blades by hand with a file or sharpening stone if they’re not too worn out. You can also use a grinder or Dremel to sharpen and reshape the blades. Another option is repurposing them into knives or other tools by cutting, shaping, and attaching handles.
Discover the Potential of Your Old Blades: Those old blades aren’t useless. They can be sharpened, reshaped, and repurposed into valuable tools. Continue. There’s so much more to learn!
Contents
- 1 What can you do with old lawnmower blades:
- 2 Frequently asked questions
- 3 Remarks
What can you do with old lawnmower blades:
We will look into more detail about what you can do with an old Lawnmower blade. Before deciding what to do with it, you must check the condition.
● Check the old blades properly:
Lawnmower blades frequently wear out after 30-40 hours of work. Depending on your situation, this is after each season. One can always sharpen them, but eventually, they reach a point where replacement is unavoidable to ensure smooth operation.
The blades can get dull, cracked, or uneven due to the environment’s dirt and debris. Moreover, cutting drier and harder grass is deteriorating for their health.
To check the blades’ condition, you will have to remove them by simply loosening the nut. Clamp the blade on a bench vise and scrutinize them for the following points:
In my 20 years of experience, I’ve seen that many people mistakenly believe that a dull blade is useless. However, these blades can be repurposed in many ways with proper care and creativity.
– How often is it sharpened:
It would help if you continually keep a pad to note how many times the blades have been serviced. If it exceeds 4 to 5 times, you must use a new set for a superb blade. But this 4 to 5 times is not a rigid boundary. It depends on many factors, like how strong the metal is, how much you take off during earlier sharpening, and the type of previous damage.
– Minor cracks and scratches:
If your old mower blade has minor cracks and scratches, you can still sharpen it again with essential machine tools.
– Broken:
If the old mower blade is broken or chipped off at parts in a way that can’t be reused, you can use the blade for entirely different purposes.
Depending on the examination, you can classify the old blade into two categories:
- It can still be sharpened
- It cannot be sharpened
● Option 1. Sharpen the blades with your hands or a file
For category one mower blades, the most basic method to sharpen the mower blades one more time is by hand. You can use a simple rough file to chip off the rugged metal. The file cuts in the forward stroke. So, gently holding the 10-inch file gives regular 15-20 thrusts to scrap the rough surface.
A sharp, more apparent surface will be the indication of solid metal. The mower blades are made from relatively softer metals that you can file easily. File along the blade edge to develop the blade profile. You can also use a sharpening stone to perform the same task.
– The Role of Sharpening Stones in Blade Maintenance
These are readily available and mainly used to sharpen knives. The only difference between a file’s and a sharpening stone’s operation is the direction of the angle at which you grab it to sharpen your blade. Unlike files,
This stone can be used in forward and backward strokes. It does some sharpening but is more operational in smoothening and polishing the blade surface. Similarly, you can use a sharpening rod to do the same. However, most commonly, it is used along crevices and the rounds of the blade edge.
● Option 2. Sharpening by Grinder and Dremel
You can use mechanical tools like a grinder or a Dremel for the category one blade. Adjust the angle grinder with a grinding stone disk if it is not previously in place. Using safety goggles and gloves while sharpening the blades would be best.
In the same way as a file, keeping an angle of 20-30 degrees with the blade surface, you can scrub off the dull surface. Grinders are fast compared to a file but are also very sharp, so be careful. Developing the blade edge profile is tricky.
A sharpening stone is probably a more straightforward tool for that. Similarly, you can use a Dremel to create the blade edge profile, smoothen the surface, and remove any scratches or cracks. Set the speed to around 2500 rpm, a medium setting. Run it along the blade edge and create a smooth surface.
The most challenging part of repurposing old lawn mower blades is removing rust and old paint. Reshaping the metal requires patience and precision, but the result can be gratifying.
● Option 3. Turn them into a knife or another tool
You can use the old blade to create other tools for a category two blade. The simplest one is a knife. The type of knife you want depends on you, as the mower blade has a fine metal.
It can be a knife for chopping, a simple backyard knife, a pocket knife, or even a kitchen knife. The procedure for all is simple. You need some essential tools to finish the job:
- Heating source
- Grinder or hacksaw
- Steel pliers
- Hammer
– Choosing the Knife Shape
Just decide which type of knife shape you want; mark that shape with some paint or wall chalk. Now, heat the red metal and hold it with pliers. Gently place the hot blade on smooth, even ground. With the help of a grinder or powered hacksaw, cut a rough desired profile out of the blade metal.
Let it cool naturally in the air. Now, you need to develop the sharp profile and base of the knife. The blade part of the knife is from the old mower blade part. So, using a simple file or angle grinder, you can sharpen the edges with a knife. A knife has to be thin, so you will have more work to do on the surface.
Now, you need a good piece of wood to fix on the blade base for the base. The wood piece needs to be tight, so add a mix of adhesives or glue to hold the blade in place. As a final step, heat the knife till it is red hot and immediately dip it in water.
● Option 4. Usage in Electrolysis process:
Similarly, old mower blades can be used in the electrolysis process too. Electrolysis is the process of quoting a metal surface over another metal to increase its life and preserve its surface. An old lawnmower blade can be used as a sacrificial metal.
An electrolytic tank is commonly used for removing rust from surfaces. You can use a mower blade surface with your old mechanical tools like wrenches, watches, or pliers by dipping them in an electrolytic fluid and under the current force.
You will notice your tools getting clean at the blade metal’s cost, getting deposits on its surface. The deposits shift from one electrode to the other. This process is similar to gold plating and can be done quickly at home.
Frequently asked questions
1. How do I remove my old lawnmower blades?
It would be best to take out the nut at the blade’s center through a socket wrench; however, it may be stuck. So, spray the nut with a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 and wait a few minutes if the nut proves challenging to move. I
f the blade rotates while removing the nut, clamp a piece of wood to the lawnmower’s underside with C-clamps to help prevent the blade from turning while you are working on it. Then, you can loosen the nut with the wrench.
My advice to someone attempting their first blade repurposing project is to start simple, prioritize safety, and not be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how you learn and grow in this field.
2. How can I dispose of my old lawnmower blades?
As the article describes, you can do many things with old lawnmower blades. But if they are beyond that point, you must dispose of them. You must be careful as they may cut someone’s hand if improperly thrown away. You can:
- Sell them to trade wanderers who buy old scrap metals.
- Give them away in junkyards.
- If you have to throw them in a bin, you must cover them entirely with a few layers of clothing. Then, label the package and let the waste-collecting men know about it.
3. What is the typical life of a lawnmower blade?
Lawnmower blades typically last 30-40 hours of routine use, after which they must be sharpened. The time limit is reduced if used excessively in a rougher environment.
The blades can be sharpened a max of 4-5 times. If you keep pointing them further, you will damage your mower, and there is even a chance of them breaking mid-process.
Remarks
Lawnmowers are machines that work on the force of their sturdy blades. These complex and robust useful tools also have a life after which they require sharpening and a tune-up. Unlike all other valuable tools, lawnmower blades are unique because even after their service life is complete.
They can be used in several ways. Most commonly, their converted use as knives and sacrificial knives is quite everyday and easy to exploit. We hope you get insight into what to do with old lawn mower blades from this article.
Instead of adding them to the landfill or dumpster, there are creative ways to repurpose or recycle old blades. One solution is to repurpose them into windmills for your garden. This is a short and easy way to dispose of old lawn mower blades without causing harm to the environment.
• Reusing the Metal for Tool Creation
Another idea is to use metal to make a machete or other valuable tools. This gives new life to the old lawn mower blades and helps reduce your feeling of being particularly artistic; you could even make some garden art with old lawn mower blades.
Remember, before you throw anything in the box for recycling, consider whether there’s a way to repurpose or recycle old items. We hope these suggestions give you some ideas on what to do with old lawn mower blades.
I never realized the importance of maintaining lawnmower blades until reading this article, thank you!
Thank you for your feedback, Shane! I’m glad you found the article helpful in understanding the importance of maintaining lawnmower blades. Happy mowing!
The video guides provided in the article have been very helpful in understanding the sharpening process.
Thank you, James! I’m glad you found the video guides helpful! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Great read, I feel more confident in handling my lawnmower blades now. Thank you for the tips.
Thank you, Joann! I’m glad the tips helped you feel more confident in handling your lawnmower blades. Happy mowing!
I appreciate the step-by-step instructions on how to sharpen lawnmower blades at home.
Thank you for your kind words, Natalie! I’m glad you found the step-by-step instructions helpful for sharpening lawnmower blades at home. Happy mowing!
This article has been very informative, I’ll make sure to properly care for my lawnmower blades now.
Thank you, Mae! I’m glad you found the article informative. Proper care for your lawnmower blades is essential for maintaining your machine’s performance. Happy mowing!
Can I reuse the old lawnmower blades after sharpening them?
Hi Gerald, you can reuse sharpened lawnmower blades up to 4 to 5 times. After that, you can repurpose them as knives or use them in an electrolysis process. Hope this helps!
Is it safe to reuse old lawnmower blades?
Hi Janet! It is safe to reuse lawnmower blades up to 4-5 times if sharpened properly. If they are no longer usable, consider turning them into knives or using them in the Electrolysis process for other purposes.
How often should I check the condition of my lawnmower blades?
Hi Martin, typically mower blades need to be checked after 30-40 hours of use. It’s recommended to sharpen them up to 4-5 times. If they can’t be sharpened anymore, consider turning them into knives or using them in the electrolysis process.
I never thought about using old lawnmower blades in an electrolysis process, very cool idea!
Thank you, Gloria! I’m glad you found the idea of using old lawnmower blades in an electrolysis process interesting. It’s a great way to repurpose them for another practical use.
What is the best angle to sharpen lawnmower blades?
Hi Brandy, to sharpen lawnmower blades, you can use a grinder, Dremel, or hand file. If they’re beyond repair, turn them into knives or use in an electrolysis process. Hope this helps!
Where can I find a grinder or a Dremel to sharpen my blades?
You can find a grinder or Dremel at your local hardware store or online. Remember to follow safety guidelines while sharpening your blades!
Can I recycle old lawnmower blades?
Yes, you can recycle old lawnmower blades by turning them into knives, using them in the electrolysis process, or selling them as scrap metal. Check the condition first.
Thanks for the detailed guide on checking and sharpening lawnmower blades!
Thank you, Juanita! I’m glad you found the guide helpful. It’s important to take care of your lawnmower blades for optimal performance. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Are there any safety precautions I should take while sharpening the blades?
When sharpening your mower blades, always wear safety goggles and gloves. Utilize a file for basic sharpening or a grinder/Dremel for quicker results. Remember to sharpen no more than 4-5 times.
How do I properly dispose of old lawnmower blades?
Hi Nathaniel! You can sharpen old lawnmower blades using a file, grinder, or Dremel. If they are beyond repair, you can create knives or use them in an electrolysis process.
Great tips on how to properly maintain lawnmower blades!
Thank you, Andre! I’m glad you found the tips helpful for maintaining lawnmower blades. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Happy mowing!
It’s fascinating to learn about the different ways old lawnmower blades can be used, very creative!
Thank you, Bessie! It’s great to hear that you found the information on old lawnmower blades interesting. There are indeed many creative ways to repurpose them once they’ve served their original purpose.
I never knew old lawnmower blades could be repurposed into knives, very interesting!
Thank you, Brooklyn! It’s amazing how old lawnmower blades can be repurposed into new tools like knives. I’m glad you found it interesting!
What tools do I need to sharpen the blades by hand?
You can sharpen your lawnmower blades by hand using a file or a grinder. After max 4-5 sharpenings, consider turning them into knives or using them in an electrolysis process.
How do I know if my lawnmower blades are beyond repair?
You can try sharpening them by hand or using a grinder. If they can’t be sharpened, consider making knives or using them in an electrolysis process.