How to: Lapping a Mower

The term "lapping a mower" typically refers to sharpening the blades on a reel lawn mower. Professional sharpening services often use an expensive lapping machine to allow the lapping compound to work. Inexpensive kits include a crank or handle that turns the reel blades backwards. This sharpens the blades with the lapping compound. Keeping your reel mower blades sharp ensures that they cut grass cleanly and smoothly.

Reel mower sharpening kit
Cleaning cloths
Water-soluble lapping compound

Instructions

- 1
  Connect the crank or handle to the lawn mower reel according to the directions on the reel mower sharpening kit. This allows the reel blades to turn backward.
- 2
  Remove any grass, dirt or other debris on the lawn mower blades with a cloth.
- 3
  Spread a thin layer of the lapping compound onto the reel mower blades with your fingertips or a cleaning cloth. Water-soluble lapping compounds are less complicated to clean off the blades after the sharpening process.
- 4
  Rotate the reel mower blades by using the crank or handle according to the instructions. Do this for approximately three or four minutes to ensure the blades sharpen well. This action rubs the compound between the reel blade and the lower one, effectively sharpening both. Some owner manuals refer to the lower, fixed blade as the bed-knife blade. Other instructions refer to it as the cutter bar.
- 5
  Clean off the lapping compound by wiping the blades with a damp cleaning cloth after sharpening them. Rinse the cleaning cloth if necessary to remove the compound thoroughly. Allow the blades to air dry.
- 6
  Remove the handle or crank tool and store it for the next time your blades require sharpening.

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Lawn Mowers