Lawnmower Man

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

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: 2,138
    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.
  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,471
    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.
  • 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
  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,138
    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

  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,021
    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
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    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!

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  • 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: 3,892
    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.
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 4,949
    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
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    . .... and thats what I dream of nowadays....mowing the lawn... naked.

    Fixed that for ya pal.
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 4,949
    tonyb wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    . .... and thats what I dream of nowadays....mowing the lawn... naked.

    Fixed that for ya pal.

    Is it wrong?
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    tonyb wrote: »
    kevhed72 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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    2wibw2hql221.jpg
    ux62vv32u4ft.jpg
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