Questions and Answers for Reel Mower Sharpening Kit

A:  Yes, this sharpening kit will work for all Scotts Reel mowers.

A:  Yes. I used this to sharpen a Scotts classic 20" mower.

A:  Please email contact@americanlawnmower.com to get a free pdf copy of your products manual.

A:  The sharpening compound is a car/truck engine valve grinding/valve lapping compound. Can be purchased at any automotive parts store for approximately $4.50.

A:  The sharpening occurs when you crank the reel backwards with the sharpening compound applied to the edges of the reel. The compound contains abrasive that hones both the bottom blade and the edges of the reel. Do not turn the reel forward (normal direction when mowing) before cleaning off all of the compound. If you do, you will damage your new sharp edges.

A:  Yes, that's the way it works! Pretty great invention- since the blades are curved, you would otherwise need special equipment to sharpen.

A:  Once you take off the pinion, the crank will fit over the pawl, and you just crank counter clockwise. I use this on many different mowers. This way you only need to remove the wheels once. Be careful not to lose the pawl when taking off the pinion.

A:  Take off both wheels and pinion gears. Reverse pinion gears. Put wheels back on and the blades will reverse direction when mower is pushed forward. No need for a crank..DITTO! I also Tow Mine Behind my ES( Electric Scooter) Being a Disabled Veteran( 66' US ARMY) I tow it backwards and this ( Reverse Pinion Gears) to tow it and it works Great for my Small 30x50 Flat Yard.. and Finally able to Mow my Own Grass again, after 15 yrs., just sitting and Watching others doining for me for $35 a Cut EOWk Here In Wisconsin!

A:  The blades get sharpened by the compound. You apply the compound to the blades and then spin them backwards. You can use the crank to spin them backwards by hand, which is a ton of work, or just swap the pinion gears in the wheels left to right so when you push the mower the blades spin the opposite way. Just remember to clean off the compound before spinning the blades the correct way or else you will undo all your work.

A:  Yes, the procedure is to put the compound on the blades, adjust the cutter to press fairly tightly against the reel, and then rotate the reel backwards until sharp. Mowers manufactured by American apparently have a place to put the crank and turn the reel manually. If my Scotts mower has a place for the crank, I haven't found it. Instead, I rig the mower to turn backwards when pushed. It is not hard to do if you are mechanically minded, but it involves taking the wheels off and reversing the positions of the gears and pawls. It is also very important to clean off the compound after you are finished, especially making sure it doesn't get into any internal parts. It will wear them down quickly. (It's happened to me.)

A:  The instructions are well-written. Put on the crank handle and turn backwards.

A:  Lapping compound is used in the process of "Back Lapping" a reel mower. First you must properly adjust the bed knife/reel contact. Then you turn the reel slowly (About 1/4 the speed it goes when mowing) backward and brush the compound on the reel. After about 5 minutes stop the process, check reel adjustment, and adjust if needed. I generally check to see if all blades are cutting evenly with a piece of newspaper. If it cuts newspaper it will cut grass. I saw someone made the comment to just brush it on and mow. DO NOT DO THAT. It will round the cutting edge on both the reel blades and the bed knife. Once that happens you will need to take it to a sharpening shop set up for reel type mowers to have a relief grind put back in. BTW if you plan to do ALOT of mowers like for Golf Course Look into a Lapping Machine to turn the reel. I use a 1/2" variable speed electric drill set very slow and a socket wrench that fits over the wheel paul on the reel. BTW - I am a retired Golf Course Superintendent.

A:  Take off both wheels and pinion gears. Reverse pinion gears. Put wheels back on and the blades will reverse direction when mower is pushed forward. No need for a crank.

A:  Sharpens as you mow. Does a pretty good job.

A:  From what I have seen, there would have to be a slight modification to the crank. It would not effect the way it works on other mowers. Just make it adaptable to the Fiskars.

A:  The lapping compound can be used to sharpen any reel mower, but not all mowers have a place to attach the crank to turn the reel manually. I had a Craftsman mower, and I could not use the crank with it. The lapping compound can still be used to sharpen the reel, but you have to take the wheels off the mower, remove the snap rings from the pinions, and rig the pinions to spin the reel backwards when the mower is pushed. Then you have to reassemble it, being really, really careful not to get any of the lapping compound in the pinion assembly, as it can wear out the parts quickly.

A:  This kit does not work on ALL reel mowers. The handle was too small for mine. I see no brand on the mower, did not buy the mower myself. Currently looking for an adapter. Maybe locking pliers will work. I'll be returning this kit. The only reason I bought it was for the handle. I already have grinding compound.

A:  yes, extremely easy to use comes with clear instructions.

A:  Possibly not on the Husqvuarna reel mower, from what I have read elsewhere.

A:  Yes, product is designed for reel mowers ( kind of given away in the product name " reel mower sharpening kit ".