Easily Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blades With These Highly-Rated Products From Lowe's

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If you're noticing warning signs that indicate your lawn mower blades need sharpening, it's advisable to have the best tools on hand to do the job safely, quickly, and effectively. Professionals recommend sharpening the blades every 20 to 25 hours of mowing time. With the proper tools, such as files and grinders, homeowners can do the job in 30 to 45 minutes. 

Trying to accomplish the task with sub-par equipment, however, is a common mistake when sharpening lawn mower blades. Using cheap or dull tools leaves the blades with uneven surfaces that can cause uncomfortable vibrations while mowing and potentially damage the machine. Stop mowing if you notice vibrations, as the blade will need immediate sharpening, replacement, or rebalancing to prevent damage to the engine and potential injury.

If you're a fan of buying certain items from Lowe's to get the best deal, you'll appreciate the various products it offers to get your mower blades sharpened. You certainly don't want to spend too much, since a typical homeowner will probably only sharpen the blades a couple of times a year. Here are some inexpensive tools for mower blade sharpening at Lowe's that are popular and reasonably priced.

One of the most effective and value-priced tools you can use to sharpen mower blades is a file. As long as you pull the file in one direction along the blade, rather than going back and forth, and use it at a 45-degree angle on the front edge, it works efficiently. Depending on the condition of the blade, you might need between five and 50 strokes to sharpen the edge.

You should typically use a 10-inch or longer mill or flat metal manual file that has a coarse, or bastard, profile. You can use the curved edge of a half-round file to do the sharpening, and Lowe's offers the Kobalt 10-Inch Double-Cut Bastard Round File for $11. It uses carbon alloy steel to ensure longevity and durability. It has a narrow metal handle at the end to simplify using the tool, or you can purchase a Kobalt lock-jaw handle for the file to make it more comfortable to use. Customer reviewers on Lowe's like the product, and 100% of them would recommend purchasing it.

If you use files frequently for multiple jobs, you might prefer the Kobalt 8-Inch File Set for $40. It ships with five different types of files, all of which have built-in handles to make them more comfortable to use. At 8 inches in length, they're a little on the small side when sharpening mower blades, but you can still get the job done. Customer reviewers at Lowe's like the kit, as 100% of them recommend purchasing it.

If you want to use a power tool for this job, Lowe's carries several kinds of angle grinders, which make it easy to sharpen mower blades in very little time. Investing in an angle grinder is a practical choice because it's a versatile tool that can be used for cutting, grinding, and cleaning demanding materials like metal, brick, and tile. Add a flap disc to the grinder, similar to these EZARC Flap Discs, and move it slowly back and forth on the edge of the mower blade to sharpen it.

If you're looking for a good deal on an angle grinder, Kobalt is the power tool house brand at Lowe's. The Kobalt 5-Inch Cordless Angle Grinder costs $129, and some kits include a battery and charger. It offers a maximum speed of 8,500 RPM and has a paddle switch for one-handed operation. Among customer reviewers, 91% would recommend purchasing the Kobalt angle grinder. "I use this to sharpen my lawn mower blades, and it works great with the right disc for the task, of course," one customer reviewer says.

If you prefer a corded machine, Lowe's offers the DeWalt 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder for $119. Its motor can spin the disc at up to 11,000 RPM. It has a small-profile body, so you can use it in tight spaces when needed. Among customer reviewers, 96% would recommend it. "This product is completely what I expected," one customer reviewer says. It "is easy to use, and the quality seems to be good."