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I have been sharpening my lawn mower blades on an old bench grinder I inherited from my Father in Law
for about the last 30 years. I put a new grinder wheel on it when I first got it but now I need a new grinder wheel. The old markings are wore off so I can't read the details type and size.

From searching on the net I've read for lawn mower blades needs to be 36 to 40 Grit? I think the original measurement was 4" Dia, 1/2" thick and 1/2" arbor. A new one could go as high as 4 1/2" Dia and 3/4" thick.

I'm having a hard time locating one this particular size, so if any of you have a source, please let me know. I've given up on looking in hardware stores including Stine's, Lowes, Harbor Fright and so on. I think it would have to come from "on line" purchase. Thanks, Platefire

I've just about decided I need to buy a hand grinder, put the blade in a vice and sharpen it that way! and maybe retire the old bench grinder. What ya think?

i use a hand grinder with this https://allindustrial.com/3m-710019...l&campaign=296341656&adgroup=1265537991562085
McMaster-Carr would be the place to look for a bench grinding wheel, online.

"I've just about decided I need to buy a hand grinder, put the blade in a vice and sharpen it that way! and maybe retire the old bench grinder. What ya think?"

I agree 100% .... When in HF ... buy their cheap 4 1/2 angle grinder & some 60 grit flap discs. You'll be very happy for the change and be amazed at how effective the new technique is.

Yes HF got one on sale with a coupon for 20 bucks if you get it by Aug 11
https://www.harborfreight.com/7-amp-4-12-in-slide-switch-angle-grinder-64856.html?event_id=183613

StarTech, who is the source for those grinder wheels?

They also have one for 9.99 now ( until 8/15 ) ........... that's what I paid several years ago ( bought 3 ) & they're still running fine.

platefire said:

StarTech, who is the source for those grinder wheels?

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McMaster-Carr

Having seen the sort of damage a collapsing grinding wheel can do the the man using it ( he died eventually ) they are one item that I never buy cheap
So I get them from an engineering supply company and only ever use brand names I am familiar with .

And with any grinder you should always safety glasses.

Now those grinding wheel I posted about are very high grade versions. McMaster-Carr isn't el cheapo supplier as they are an industrial supplier. I use their product weekly in my shop. As for the grinding I use the 6 inch versions and have worn nearly a inch off the diameter before I have to replace them.

I don't many tool items like drill bits or reamer due them lasting so long but buy a lot the hardware item. Much better priced than the local hardware stores and also most of the metric items I need. I currently on the list to buy some 5/16 push rings where Husqvarna is want over $3 a piece for and I be ordering 100 for $12. Once I get them I will stop reusing the old ones. Yes 100 each is a lot of them but I can divide among some fellow techs locally.

StarTech said:

And with any grinder you should always safety glasses.

Now those grinding wheel I posted about are very high grade versions. McMaster-Carr isn't el cheapo supplier as they are an industrial supplier. I use their product weekly in my shop. As for the grinding I use the 6 inch versions and have worn nearly a inch off the diameter before I have to replace them.

I don't many tool items like drill bits or reamer due them lasting so long but buy a lot the hardware item. Much better priced than the local hardware stores and also most of the metric items I need. I currently on the list to buy some 5/16 push rings where Husqvarna is want over $3 a piece for and I be ordering 100 for $12. Once I get them I will stop reusing the old ones. Yes 100 each is a lot of them but I can divide among some fellow techs locally.

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This was a 24" x 4" monster in the railway workshop
A house brick sized bit hit the floor then the back wall then his head .
Another chunk flew down and near ripped his right leg off .
Apparently some one in the stores section had been swapping the good gear for cheap wheels from Argentina then flogging the good wheels off at field days to farmers .
So from then on my grinding wheels , apart from the one with the drill sharpener on it are all pedestal mounted and outside with nothing behind them
Now yes before you ask I have sent a few items into low earth orbit , but I have a lot of grinders and each one has an adjustable steady / rest on the front that is bolted to the grinder and not the wheel guard like on cheap grinders .

Just as long you don't send them into inner space you should be fairly safe. Using any shop equipment can be dangerous. I still haven't found the lens out a pair of my glasses. I lost it when something I was pressing a part blew apart with a chuck hitting me in the face. Luckily it was only a hit in the safety glasses at the time. But glad I has a spare pair as I got to them to see clearly.

I went by Harbor Freight yesterday and looked at the Bauer 4 1/2" Grinder for $10.00. First thing I tried
a 4 1/2" disk on it but I couldn't because the guard seemed to small to get in position to screw the disk on.
I showed this to the HF salesman and he tried too but couldn't. We tried a 4" and it would install without
any problem but it wasn't the type disk for steel/Lawn mower blade. I did look for a 4" disk in the right grit
range for steel but couldn't find one. So I just blew it off and decided to wait.

I'll keep looking and get one when things look right, Mean time I still have my bench grinder with old grinding
wheel to get by in a pinch:>)

Well ..... I took my own advice and bought "another" grinder from HF for the sale price of 9.99 ... because they had a coupon for 30% off any item under 10 dollars .... so 6.99 for another seemed a good plan ......... that makes two still in the box to back up the other six.

A grinder for the price of a Big Mac, not bad!

My grinder is better than yours.

slomo said:

My grinder is better than yours.

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Perhaps ........... But I didn't mention the Milwaukee M18 for chores away from a power outlet.

SARG said:

Perhaps ........... But I didn't mention the Milwaukee M18 for chores away from a power outlet.
View attachment 69483

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Aaaaaand it's 5 inch great tool

Hello, as OP I picked up a Bauer 4.5"/7 Amp/11000 RPM Angle Grinder and a 1/4" thick 40 Grit Hercules Grinder Wheel today a Harbor Freight. So I been reading the manual and watching some you tube videos
on how to properly use it. According to several of the videos, the Flap Disk grinder wheel is better for Lawn
mower blades. Also some info on balancing blades which I never done before but may now start. My Husqvarna's blades has a star type mounting hole, so it might be hard to find the actual center without
it being a regular round hole?? So I was thinking of starting off with ole nail in the wall approach and go from
there:>)

slomo said:

My grinder is better than yours.

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But not as good as Scrub's.

I guess this thread needs some pics of grinders.

Here you go!

Well I took my Bauer 4.5"/7 Amp/11000 RPM Angle Grinder back to HF and got a refund.
I hadn't used it any so it was still in new condition.

I just got a Dewalt DWE 4011 and very happy with it. It came with 1/4" Thick Metal Grinder Wheel plus I bought a Flap Wheel. First sharpening job on my mower blades turned out great!
Also so re-leveled my Husq mower deck and boy! that thing is cutting smooth. Ye Haw!

platefire said:

A grinder for the price of a Big Mac, not bad!

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That would be a baby mac with NO cheese at that price. LOL Thanks Kamala