Lawnmower Man

kevhed72
kevhed72 Posts: 5,066
in The Clubhouse
Getting the lawnmower ready for another enjoyable season of cutting the grass in 100% humidity. I opened an brand new Craftsman blade I had for some time, and there is NO edge on this thing. Am I missing something?
Also, I am so cheap I thought about changing the oil with left over chainsaw bar oil....how bad of an idea is this? Feel free to make fun of my frugality.....Kev
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Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    Sharpen my blade every 6 weeks, have 2 to rotate. Put the correct oil in your engine. I don't know what's in chainsaw bar oil but doubt it is engineered for an air cooled 4 cycle engine.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    I work so much overtime I hire a women to come over and mow my yards for me :)

    she needs the work I need to relax B)
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,162
    I just put a new blade on today and yes it black and not knife sharp. But is cuts nice. go for it. And just say no to the bar oil.
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,536
    Had one of those Craftsman blades before. Same as yours, no edge. 10 minutes with a grinder fixed that. I usually put drain oil from the cars into my mower when it's low. Haven't killed it yet. Not sure what the viscosity of bar oil is.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    I'd suggest that you take the blade to a sharpening place (Ace Hdwre. ?), or, return it to the store and find one that's actually sharp. Why punish your engine with old/improper oil and a dull blade. ? Bar and chain oil has "cling" additives that probably won't be a good thing for cyl. walls. (just a guess) Next,get some straight SAE 30W oil, then mow. Do you economize on interconnects by shopping at Rat Shack too ?? :p
    Oregon sells sharp objects.............. ;)http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/oep/blades/blades.htm
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,162
    John Megadeth wrote: »
    Simply start mowing. The blade is coated in paint; the paint will come off after a few minutes of mowing.

    I bought mine at ACE. and this is correct

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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,222
    edited April 2015
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Also, I am so cheap I thought about changing the oil with left over chainsaw bar oil....

    This is a new kind of cheap :D:p A lawnmower uses what, half a quart, tops? And a quart of Quaker State costs $4??? C'mom, man. LOL
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,008
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Also, I am so cheap I thought about changing the oil with left over chainsaw bar oil....

    This is a new kind of cheap :D:p A lawnmower uses what, half a quart, tops? And a quart of Quaker State costs $4??? C'mom, man. LOL

    Have to agree here. I mean, you took it out of the car/chainsaw for a reason, why use it in another motor ? Bar oil doesn't belong in a motor anyway, not if longevity is of any concern to you. Right tool for the right job and all that. We're talking less than the cost of a bottled water here guys.

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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    Pretty much all blades come this way, probably because someone cut themselves and sued. I tale mine to Ace to have sharpened, you could shave with it. After 2 mowing check it, surprising how quickly it gets dull. Be sure to pull the plug wire when changing blades please.
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    My cub has 4 flat tires and backfires like uncle buck...woof!

    I love the spring.....
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • Sci-fi Polk Guy
    Sci-fi Polk Guy Posts: 194
    When I mowed my yard, I changed the oil and the paper air filter at the beginning and the middle of the season. I changed the spark plug at the beginning of the season. And, since they were so cheap, I changed my blade at the beginning of the season.
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  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,912
    New blades should be sharpened for max performance. No need for a new blade unless the old is bent or there is no meat left to sharpen.
    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,066
    John Megadeth wrote: »
    Simply start mowing. The blade is coated in paint; the paint will come off after a few minutes of mowing.
    You were correct....the paint chips off quickly to reveal the sharp blade. I simply stuck my hand under there and could feel how sharp it was. just kidding but you were correct. I also changed the oil, blew out the filter, and it runs like a dream. and thats what I dream of nowadays....mowing the lawn
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,008
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    John Megadeth wrote: »
    . .... and thats what I dream of nowadays....mowing the lawn... naked.

    Fixed that for ya pal.
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,066
    tonyb wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    John Megadeth wrote: »
    . .... and thats what I dream of nowadays....mowing the lawn... naked.

    Fixed that for ya pal.

    Is it wrong?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,008
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    tonyb wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    John Megadeth wrote: »
    . .... and thats what I dream of nowadays....mowing the lawn... naked.

    Fixed that for ya pal.

    Is it wrong?

    Heck no....you may scare the neighborhood kids though.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    Pics after mowing last night, trying to get the stripes like the stadiums.
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    ux62vv32u4ft.jpg
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