blacksmith question

[Lnwing]

I have several sets of brush-hog blades that have been brutalized beyond grinder sharpening, but hate to scrap them.



Years ago I watched an old blacksmith work his magic on similar blades. He heated the leading edge red/white hot and pounded a new tapered cutting edge on it, then re-tempered it by dipping the hot blade in oil/sand?? That's the part I don't remember.



It needs to hold an edge, but can't be so brittle that safety is an issue. Does anyone know what procedure should be used?



Lynn

 

[illflem]

I just hardface the blades on the flat side. This way the tapered side wears faster and it keeps itself sharp. Best done on a new blade. If you try to keep blades too sharp they just wear out faster.

I have seen the method you speak of for sharpening knifes but wonder if it's worth it for mower blades. I only pay $12 each for blades on my six bladed 12' JD mower. Blades made in Korea for my C-80 Woods only run $8 each.

 

[Lnwing]

Illflem,

I like your idea of hardfacing the blades. That certainly has to add some life to them.

Where do you buy blades so cheap? It's been a while, but I thought my Woods 121 blades were in the $25 range.

Thanks for the info.



Lynn

 

[illflem]

Lynn, I get them from my JD dealer. Before they started carrying the foreign made ones the price was triple. Let me know what type you need and I'll see what kind of price I can get.