Hard Surfacing

[Mowjunk]

I have a set of mower blades that came from the factory with the edges hard surfaced. They now need sharpening. Should I just hit them with the grinder to sharpen or should I hard surface them again? I have seen hard surfacing done years ago with oxy-acetylene and the guy would use a hammer to shape an edge on the blade while still hot. Is this procedure still being used today? Or is there an easier way? The blades are about 5/16" thick.

Thanks for this site and all the help I've gotten from it.

John

[Guest]

Re: Hard Surfacing

Originally posted by Mowjunk
I have a set of mower blades that came from the factory with the edges hard surfaced. They now need sharpening. Should I just hit them with the grinder to sharpen or should I hard surface them again? I have seen hard surfacing done years ago with oxy-acetylene and the guy would use a hammer to shape an edge on the blade while still hot. Is this procedure still being used today? Or is there an easier way? The blades are about 5/16" thick.

Thanks for this site and all the help I've gotten from it.

John

There's a couple of ways to do it, and that would be work harneding. There is a rod made that you can apply with O/A or TIG that will put a super hard bead along the edge and then you just grind it sharp. The one I'm familiar with, is Haynes Stellite. I'm sure there are others as well.

In your case if the blade is not too bad, you can just grind it, but don't let it turn blue, if you can help it. Also make sure it is balanced. You can do that easily by placing it on a nail, (placed horizontally in your vise), and periodically put the center hole on it to keep it level.

[Mowjunk]

Rocky, I'll carefully grind them for now and I will harden the edge again when I get the rod. Thanks for the information.

John