How to Sharpen Gilbert Lawn Mower Blades

A correctly sharpened lawn mower blade is essential for proper lawn maintenance. Whatever the brand of your lawn mower, the method employed to sharpen the blade is the same -- there are no unique blade designs that require a different sharpening approach from brand to brand. With some simple tools, you'll be able to keep the blade for your Gilbert lawnmower in tip-top condition.

Open- or box-end wrench
Heavy glove
Vise
Flat metal file
Pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Turn your lawn mower onto its side.
- 2
  Place the wrench onto the nut at the center of the blade and turn to the left while holding the blade stationary with gloved hand. Remove the nut and take the blade off the drive shaft.
- 3
  Place the blade in a vise with one of the cutting edges facing up.
- 4
  Run the file along the blade's cutting edge at a 45-degree angle. Work from one end of the cutting edge to the other, smoothing the blade and removing and small burrs and nicks. It's not necessary to bring the blade to a knife edge.
- 5
  Remove the blade from the vise and rotate it so you can sharpen the other cutting edge.
- 6
  Remove the blade from the vise and balance it by placing the center of the blade on a pencil. If the blade tips to one side, place the blade back in the vise and remove some more metal from the heavier side with a file. Test again and when the blade balances, place it back on the mower.

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