Every once and awhile, you’ll notice that your lawnmower blade becomes bent. This is usually because it came into contact with a rock or a large twig. When this happens, it will affect how the mower cuts the lawn. So, either you have to repair or replace the blade.
But can you fix a bent lawn mower blade? Yes, you can fix it. But this will be only under certain circumstances. If the bend is really bad or there’s multiple folds in the bend, you’ll have to replace it. But if there are only a few dents or dings, you should be able to knock them out with something like a rubber mallet.
Is It A Good Idea to Fix a Bent Lawnmower Blade?
Since replacing blades can be very expensive, it can be a wise choice to fix a bent lawnmower blade yourself. This isn’t complex or difficult but if the damage is more than what you think you can handle, you should take it somewhere. You can go to the local blacksmith, home improvement center or hardware store. One of these three will be able to help you.
As a general rule, it’s only best to fix a bent lawn mower blade yourself if you have the right equipment. Also, only do it yourself when there’s minimal or minor damage. Plus, if you do attempt it yourself and you’re not seeing any results, you should have someone else fix it.
What Happens If You Leave the Bend in the Blade?
It’s never a good idea to leave a bent blade in your mower. It won’t spin correctly and forces the blade to become dull while losing its balance. All of this will horribly affect the appearance of your lawn. So, it’s best to repair the blade the moment it bends.
How Do You Fix a Bent Lawn Mower Blade?
While it isn’t difficult to repair a bend in a lawnmower blade, you do have to observe basic caution and safety standards. This means you’ll need to wear a pair of safety goggles and some protective gloves.
Devise a Plan of Action
But, before you begin, you should devise a plan of action. This will depend on if you plan on taking out the bend immediately or if you’re going to do it later on. As a tip, it’s better to pound it out right away while the blade is still warm. It will make the metal more pliable and easier to work with.
If you’re going to do it later, then you’ll also need a blow torch or other form of intense fire. Either way, you’ll need a rubber mallet and/or a blacksmithing hammer. But, it’s also important to note that you shouldn’t use a rubber mallet on red-hot metal, it will melt the rubber.
So, you want to plan on having the metal warm, but not super hot. If you hit the metal too hard, you increase the chances of hammering it out too much the opposite direction. You want to avoid this. Also, strike the blade with a gentle touch. Repeatedly pat the area with your hammer until the dent disappears.
Items You’ll Need
Once you devise a plan, you want to gather together the following items, depending on how you want to approach this:
- Safety Goggles
- Protective Gloves
- Blow Torch
- Wire Brush Wheel
- Angle Grinder or Metal File
- Rubber Mallet and/or Blacksmithing Hammer
- Vice Grips or a Clamp
- Flat, Sturdy Surface (Anvil or Steel Plate)
Steps to Fix a Bent Mower Blade
- First, set the mower on the side so as not to dump the oil or fuel inside. Disconnect the spark plug and locate the bolt that attaches the blade to the machine.
- Then remove the blade. Don’t attempt to hammer out a bent blade while it’s still in the mower. This will create more problems than you hope to solve.
- Next, it’s advisable that you clean off the grass and other debris from the blade. You may have to use a wire brush wheel to remove all the impurities stuck to the metal. Do this with a right angle grinder.
- Once the blade is clean, you should be able to see all the dents, dings and bends in the blade. Use your vice grip or clamp to secure one end in place. Make sure that the damaged part is free to work with while guaranteeing it’s secure in the clamp.
- If your blade is cold, use the blow torch to heat up the blade until it becomes almost red. At this point, you may notice the blade weaken due to the softening action of the heat. Don’t let the metal fall over, this will make the metal difficult to work with.
- Place the hot blade on a steel plate or anvil and hammer out the affected area. Only slam the hammer down if the bend is deep and large. Always opt for even, lighter pats on the metal’s surface. It’s better to go slow and gentle than rush it through. You want this to be as perfect as you can possibly get.
- With the wire brush wheel and angle grinder, scuff the blade up. Then reheat the blade slightly and allow it to cool. This will remove some of the stress the blade experienced while you were working with it. Also, it’s dangerous to touch red-hot metal.
- Then, sharpen the blade with your wire wheel brush and angle grinder. When finished, check the blade for balance. You can do this by balancing the blade on your finger where the bolt goes. It shouldn’t tip or lean and the blade should be level and even.
- Put the blade back onto the mower and, once again, check for balance and evenness. If you have any doubts, turn the machine on and test a small patch of your yard to ensure it cuts properly. If you notice anything off, askew or still bent, have a professional help you.
Hi, I’m John Stephens, chief editor and writer for Totalgardener.com. I’ve been gardening and raising animals for over 15 years starting with a small backyard plot in Northern Virginia where I grew corn, potatoes, squash, and using a high mulch technique called the Ruth Stout Method. I also raised ducks and small mammals for meat and eggs in a movable pen similar to the ones used by Joel Salatin. I later moved to Colorado where I experimented with growing greens using aquaponics inside. I eventually added a microgreens setup and home sprouting operation. I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned plus more from the other local gardening and animal raising experts I know.
