Comments on: How Do You Change Your Mower Blade? http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:52:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Smarter than Smarter Than All of You http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-436591 Smarter than Smarter Than All of You Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:43:28 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-436591 Straight from the Deere service manual - "Remove spark plug, use a block of wood, remove nut"... http://manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMGX21821_H5/Output/OMGX21821_H513.html So please elighten us on how you remove your blade Straight from the Deere service manual - “Remove spark plug, use a block of wood, remove nut”…
http://manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMGX21821_H5/Output/OMGX21821_H513.html

So please elighten us on how you remove your blade

]]> By: JR http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-381508 JR Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:19:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-381508 I have a different problem. The blade is loose on the bolt and the nut cannot be tightened on the bolt. I opened up the motor and tried holding the bolt from the top end with a vice grip, to tighten the nut, but no luck. Any suggestions? this is a B & D electric mulch mower. I have a different problem. The blade is loose on the bolt and the nut cannot be tightened on the bolt. I opened up the motor and tried holding the bolt from the top end with a vice grip, to tighten the nut, but no luck. Any suggestions? this is a B & D electric mulch mower.

]]> By: Old Donn http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-362824 Old Donn Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:54:48 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-362824 Disconnect the sparkplug, leather work glove on the left hand, the right hand glove in the palm of the left as a safety cushion, especially when installing a sharpened blade, better to slice a glove than a hand. 6-point socket on a flex-head ratchet. The flex-head's added length provides the extra grunt to loosen the nut. Sharp blade to start the season, change it on or about July 4th. That usually does it, unless I run over something. Disconnect the sparkplug, leather work glove on the left hand, the right hand glove in the palm of the left as a safety cushion, especially when installing a sharpened blade, better to slice a glove than a hand. 6-point socket on a flex-head ratchet. The flex-head’s added length provides the extra grunt to loosen the nut. Sharp blade to start the season, change it on or about July 4th. That usually does it, unless I run over something.

]]> By: Coach James http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-362794 Coach James Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:20:21 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-362794 I pull the plug wire, put my foot against the blade and use a box end wrench or socket to remove it. I change blades after each cutting so the blade never gets rust buildup. The soil here(Sandhills of NC) is extremly sandy so blades dull quick. I keep 2 or 3 sharpened so I can change them quickly. I pull the plug wire, put my foot against the blade and use a box end wrench or socket to remove it. I change blades after each cutting so the blade never gets rust buildup. The soil here(Sandhills of NC) is extremly sandy so blades dull quick. I keep 2 or 3 sharpened so I can change them quickly.

]]> By: ambush27 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-361922 ambush27 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:24:33 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-361922 My dad taught me to use a chunk of 2x4, and he not mechanically inclined in the least. I saw a friend just sharpen the blade in place with a dremel. My dad taught me to use a chunk of 2×4, and he not mechanically inclined in the least. I saw a friend just sharpen the blade in place with a dremel.

]]> By: james b http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-361336 james b Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:36:26 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-361336 I use vice grips clipped on the end of the blade thru the ejection slot and a socket with a breaker bar. If my air hose was on a retractable reel I might use the impact wrench, but I don't usually get it out for a single bolt. That is when I'm not spending quality time with my cousin and enjoying tobacco products. I use vice grips clipped on the end of the blade thru the ejection slot and a socket with a breaker bar. If my air hose was on a retractable reel I might use the impact wrench, but I don’t usually get it out for a single bolt. That is when I’m not spending quality time with my cousin and enjoying tobacco products.

]]> By: Benjamen Johnson http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-361005 Benjamen Johnson Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:53:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-361005 SGT_Eldridge: On closer inspection, you may be right, about the blade touching the left side, but I think his hands are confusing the issue too, which still leads me to believe this is a pose, with no intention of tightening or loosening. I guess that's academic. As for the correct way to use an adjustable wrench, I found this article from Norm at This Old House. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1222593,00.html SGT_Eldridge:

On closer inspection, you may be right, about the blade touching the left side, but I think his hands are confusing the issue too, which still leads me to believe this is a pose, with no intention of tightening or loosening. I guess that’s academic.

As for the correct way to use an adjustable wrench, I found this article from Norm at This Old House.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1222593,00.html

]]> By: SGT_Eldridge http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-360608 SGT_Eldridge Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:04:20 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-360608 Benjamen Johnson: Fair enough on who took the picture, but they are still wrong and it does send a message to someone who is looking. As for whether he is tightening or loosening, if you look closely to the picture, you can see that the blade is touching the left side of the Blade Buster. Benjamen Johnson:

Fair enough on who took the picture, but they are still wrong and it does send a message to someone who is looking.

As for whether he is tightening or loosening, if you look closely to the picture, you can see that the blade is touching the left side of the Blade Buster.

]]> By: John Laur http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359956 John Laur Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:00:54 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359956 Another vote for impact wrench. Generally no need to stop the blade from spinning either. Another vote for impact wrench. Generally no need to stop the blade from spinning either.

]]> By: eschoendorff http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359919 eschoendorff Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:31:37 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359919 One hit with an MG 725 and you don't need to worry about holding blades.... One hit with an MG 725 and you don’t need to worry about holding blades….

]]> By: Zathrus http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359730 Zathrus Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:48:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359730 Like most others, a chunk of wood, some good gloves, and a decent, non-adjustable wrench. Which is exactly what the owner's manual for my Toro mower recommends -- right down to the 2x4. I can't imagine buying this thing... even if you don't want to use/don't like the 2x4 approach, C-clamps are a far smarter option. This is just a waste of money. Of course, some pro shops don't even bother taking the blade off -- they just lift the entire mower up and sharpen the blade while it's still attached. Like most others, a chunk of wood, some good gloves, and a decent, non-adjustable wrench. Which is exactly what the owner’s manual for my Toro mower recommends — right down to the 2×4.

I can’t imagine buying this thing… even if you don’t want to use/don’t like the 2×4 approach, C-clamps are a far smarter option. This is just a waste of money.

Of course, some pro shops don’t even bother taking the blade off — they just lift the entire mower up and sharpen the blade while it’s still attached.

]]> By: Benjamen Johnson http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359685 Benjamen Johnson Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:29:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359685 SGT_Eldridge: I got the picture on the right from the Lee Valley, it was the only place I could find a picture of the tool in use. I believe Lee Valley does a lot of their own photography because they always have different and almost always better pictures than anybody else -- one reason why I post a lot of their products. I'm not sure who's responsible for the picture in question, so it may not be fair to blame it on A. M. Leonard. I noticed they were using an adjustable wrench and thought it was a bad idea, but I didn't catch that it appears they are using it backwards. The way the hand is on the tire might lead you to believe that he's (I'm assuming dude, by the arm hair) tightening the blade, but if you look at the Blade Buster, the blade's not touching either side, so he's really only supporting the mower with his left hand and holding the wrench in his right not applying any force in either direction. SGT_Eldridge:

I got the picture on the right from the Lee Valley, it was the only place I could find a picture of the tool in use. I believe Lee Valley does a lot of their own photography because they always have different and almost always better pictures than anybody else — one reason why I post a lot of their products. I’m not sure who’s responsible for the picture in question, so it may not be fair to blame it on A. M. Leonard.

I noticed they were using an adjustable wrench and thought it was a bad idea, but I didn’t catch that it appears they are using it backwards. The way the hand is on the tire might lead you to believe that he’s (I’m assuming dude, by the arm hair) tightening the blade, but if you look at the Blade Buster, the blade’s not touching either side, so he’s really only supporting the mower with his left hand and holding the wrench in his right not applying any force in either direction.

]]> By: ToolFreak http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359557 ToolFreak Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:46:16 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359557 I thought this tool was a pretty good idea when I saw it in a Sears hardware store. Not enough to pay the full price when I first saw it, but enough to buy it for a buck on clearance. Somehow I still manage to get by just using a good thick insulated leather work glove to hold the blade while taking the bolt off with a ratchet. If I ever need more grunt on the handle than I can hold with my hand, I'll use the blade holder. I thought this tool was a pretty good idea when I saw it in a Sears hardware store. Not enough to pay the full price when I first saw it, but enough to buy it for a buck on clearance. Somehow I still manage to get by just using a good thick insulated leather work glove to hold the blade while taking the bolt off with a ratchet. If I ever need more grunt on the handle than I can hold with my hand, I’ll use the blade holder.

]]> By: Brau http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359446 Brau Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:43:37 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359446 Yes, I did notice that the mechanic is using the wrench backwards (although a socket would be much better) ... and not wearing leather gloves in case the wrench slips and the knuckles get sliced on the blade. Personally, I simply use a good socket wrench and a pair of thick leather gloves, holding the blade directly. No need for any clamps. Mind you I change it regularly, so it never rusts on. Yes, I did notice that the mechanic is using the wrench backwards (although a socket would be much better) … and not wearing leather gloves in case the wrench slips and the knuckles get sliced on the blade.

Personally, I simply use a good socket wrench and a pair of thick leather gloves, holding the blade directly. No need for any clamps. Mind you I change it regularly, so it never rusts on.

]]> By: SGT_Eldridge http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359373 SGT_Eldridge Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:17:35 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359373 Anyone else notice the way this company photograghs their product? 1. The mechanic (and I use that term loosely) is using a crecent wrench. 2. He is using it backwards! I think it is an interesting representaion of what this tool means and what kind of market the company is targeting. Be Army Strong Anyone else notice the way this company photograghs their product?

1. The mechanic (and I use that term loosely) is using a crecent wrench.
2. He is using it backwards!

I think it is an interesting representaion of what this tool means and what kind of market the company is targeting.

Be Army Strong

]]> By: Fluffy http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359269 Fluffy Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:31:43 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359269 Yeah. A chunk of wood, typically a 2x4, and a socket wrench. Now I just hire someone else to do the yard since my mower is buried under a ton of junk being stored in the garage. Yeah. A chunk of wood, typically a 2×4, and a socket wrench. Now I just hire someone else to do the yard since my mower is buried under a ton of junk being stored in the garage.

]]> By: Smarter Than All of You http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359256 Smarter Than All of You Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:12:36 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359256 Send some pictures of your cousin and promise to post any and all videos of future blade changing mishaps and I'll consider posting instruction on the proper way to change a mower blade. and now I shall leave you with the immortal words of Socrates: "I drank what?" Send some pictures of your cousin and promise to post any and all videos of future blade changing mishaps and I’ll consider posting instruction on the proper way to change a mower blade.

and now I shall leave you with the immortal words of Socrates:

“I drank what?”

]]> By: Benjamen Johnson http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359207 Benjamen Johnson Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:30:42 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359207 I know I'm feeding the troll, but I have to know, Smarter Than All of You: Please, for the sake of all substandard humans enlighten us in the proper way to remove our mower blades! You might save one of our appendages so we can continue to hump our cousins... ----- The impact wrench hadn't occurred to me for some reason, I'll have to give that a try. I'd heard about the rope trick too, not that I'd use it to change a blade, but thanks PutnamEco for reminding me about it. I know I’m feeding the troll, but I have to know,

Smarter Than All of You:

Please, for the sake of all substandard humans enlighten us in the proper way to remove our mower blades! You might save one of our appendages so we can continue to hump our cousins…

—–

The impact wrench hadn’t occurred to me for some reason, I’ll have to give that a try. I’d heard about the rope trick too, not that I’d use it to change a blade, but thanks PutnamEco for reminding me about it.

]]> By: Smarter Than All of You http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359190 Smarter Than All of You Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:09:56 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359190 I thought this thread was a lame joke at first, but then I realized that most people are just plain dumb. I'm seriously concerned that any of you are anywhere near any type of power equipment. The bright side is that your continued endeavors will happily result in the elimination of substandard humans. Now you can go back to spitting your chaw and humping your cousin. I thought this thread was a lame joke at first, but then I realized that most people are just plain dumb. I’m seriously concerned that any of you are anywhere near any type of power equipment. The bright side is that your continued endeavors will happily result in the elimination of substandard humans. Now you can go back to spitting your chaw and humping your cousin.

]]> By: kif http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359187 kif Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:06:55 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359187 it seems that 95 out of 100 new "tools" exploit the potential user's unwillingness to use his/her head. This is a job that most readers of this blog have tackled, and those lacking an impact wrench have used the scrap wood approach. I think the guy in the picture would be well advised to invest his cash in a good set of box wrenches to replace that adjustable wrench. I got a catalog in the mail that has a tool that stretches cvj boots enough to slip them over a joint onto an axle without needing to knock a joint off. That's using the noggin to think up a tool with a real, albeit dubious, use. Chalk up another to the Billy Maysians! it seems that 95 out of 100 new “tools” exploit the potential user’s unwillingness to use his/her head. This is a job that most readers of this blog have tackled, and those lacking an impact wrench have used the scrap wood approach. I think the guy in the picture would be well advised to invest his cash in a good set of box wrenches to replace that adjustable wrench.

I got a catalog in the mail that has a tool that stretches cvj boots enough to slip them over a joint onto an axle without needing to knock a joint off. That’s using the noggin to think up a tool with a real, albeit dubious, use.

Chalk up another to the Billy Maysians!

]]> By: Jason http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359046 Jason Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:01:01 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359046 Piece of wood and socket wrench. Piece of wood and socket wrench.

]]> By: Bill http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359018 Bill Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:40:42 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359018 Box-end wrench and a rubber mallet. Box-end wrench and a rubber mallet.

]]> By: BC http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359017 BC Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:39:59 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359017 All I use is a leather glove on my left hand. When I got my most recent mower, the blade *immediately* came off, and I slopped some anti-seize on the bolt threads. Comes off easily anytime now. All I use is a leather glove on my left hand. When I got my most recent mower, the blade *immediately* came off, and I slopped some anti-seize on the bolt threads. Comes off easily anytime now.

]]> By: James http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359007 James Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:33:22 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-359007 I pay to have my grass cut. Next time I pull my mower out to show off my new Speedo, if I run over a stump, I'll call the dude who cuts my grass to follow this instruction. I pay to have my grass cut. Next time I pull my mower out to show off my new Speedo, if I run over a stump, I’ll call the dude who cuts my grass to follow this instruction.

]]> By: Frank Townend http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-358864 Frank Townend Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:29:02 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/06/19/how-do-you-change-your-mower-blade/#comment-358864 2x4 for me too; long handled 1/2" socket wrench. 2×4 for me too; long handled 1/2″ socket wrench.

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