I use a bench grinder, am I missing something?

[Popper]

I sharpen blades with a bench grinder and it sharpens decent, I read an earlier topic where someone said that grinders are ineffective? I know that there are better machines, but i think that they are good for once a month sharpening while grinders for everday. See my POV, any advice? I'm still pretty new to the biz. Thanks

[andersc1]

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Popper,
I have used both bench grinders as well as 4 1/2 inch handheld grinders and both work well. Just my preference tends to lean towards the handheld grinder. For me it just seems to make it easier to get the blade sharpened the way I want it. Perhaps it's just because I can see better while using a handheld grinder as compared to a bench grinder. Both work well, so don't sweat it. Just keep your blades sharp regardless of what you are using.

Hope this helps,
Curtis

[Extreme Lawns]

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I use a bench grinder and it works perfect for me.

[dancom]

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I use to use a bench grinder now i use a hand grinder. I find it easier and quicker.[]

[CCLS]

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Bench grinder with a guide.

[Scott]

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don't forget to balance them. If your blades are unbalanced they'll wear out your spindle bearings early and could give you a bad cut.

[Maddog]

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I am in the same boat as Curtis. I used the bench grinder I already had for the first year. When I found a Craftsman angle grinder kit on sale for under $40 I bought it and I found it to be easier to sharpen all the different types of blades easier. I was able to sharpen the curved mulching blades and straight blades. Like was said previously it was just easier for me to use the angle grinder over the bench grinder.

And as Scott stated it is probably more important that you balance the blades than what you use to sharpen the blades. Unbalanced blades will cause premature change out of your spindles which is not only a bigger expense in parts and upkeep of your mowers but more costly in terms of equipment down time.

[Popper]

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Yea I cauhgt on to the balanceing thing from this site. And I could tell a better cut right away... thanks for your advice!

[catawba mow]

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When you use an angle grinder, do you use a standard grinding wheel? Is there a special attachment or does a typical $30-$40 work fine alone?

[Zack.]

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Yes you are missing something.

To properly sharpen a blade the stone must turn into the blade as opposed to a bench grinder that turns away from the blade. Blades will stay sharper longer, last longer & sharpen quicker & more precisely.

[Scaper-S2k]

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Zack, you must be using a backwards bench grinder, or they spin opposite in Canada? Or maybe you need to flip the blade over?

[CCLS]

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Just what I was thinking Scaper.

[Zack.]

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They run in opposite directions which is one of the benefits of a designated blade grinder such as the Magnamatic over a bench grinder.

[Scaper-S2k]

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Not the grinders I have. I think all bench grinders shoot the 'sparks' towards the floor. So, you flip the blade over, look at the grinder sideways, and it's doing the same thing.

Either way, I rarely use a bench grinder for sharpening blades, but it does work fine if set up properly.

[Seascape]

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I have had my blades sharpened up at the shop before and they were much better. I just cant get myself to pay 800 on a blade grinder when i have 3 bench grinders. I have found that if i begin by running the tip of the blade against the stone first than working my angle they turn out better. Also i have a hard time convincing anybody that sharp is not better and had to show everyone a new set to prove my point.
mike