It's a long story... But are there any Reel Mower Users?

[Stepney 2,325]

Hello all, I've been off for awhile... Well, I acquired a 1957 Schwinn bicycle, and I've been taking it out lately.. Well, lets make a long story short... I was passing a old building, and just happened to glimpse something... I could make out what looked like a pointed hood, but it was much too narrow and stubby to be a car. It had a drive pulley-started on the bottom, and a bullet-like nose. I get off and take a closer look, it's off-red... It has two small wheels up front... I think you guessed it! I walk down the side of it, tall, ag-tires on the back, a hand lift.. And "Ride-Away SR." written along the hood! Did you guess it now??? It was in rough shape... So, what else could I do but knock on the door, and ask about it. An old timer walks out, and says he gave up trying to run it... So, I volunteered myself into getting it going. Really, all it needed was the mag recharged. Well, phew, after that story, he gave me two antique reel mowers. They are Pennsylvania's, one says Pat. Applied for. the other date is 1899. So after that needless story, I have a question. I got both mowers running, or rolling, to say... They cut okay, but I can tell the blades are dull... I love these mowers already, and want to restore them... But they have to work first. So, as far as that goes, I know there is a lathe or to that effect needed to sharpen these. And I can't find anyone who does it anymore.. If anyone here happens to use one of these, have you tried the small kits Home Depot self? It is a compound, brush, and a small crank.

 

Sorry for such a long story, but i figured you'd want to hear about the Sr. The old man now runs it around his property. I already tried, he wouldn't sell it... One of those types.

 

 

Spenser.

[groundhog47 347]

I used one to mow with till about 15, and Daddy finally got a gas mower. Still have the original at son's house.  

Stopped at a golf greens maintenance shop once and the guy said they sharpen theirs with valve grinding compound, without taking apart. So he said smear it on and rotate, stop when it'll cut paper. Never tried it but they kept 5 gal buckets of the compound for the ganged reel mowers. 

Edited September 20, 2013 by groundhog47

[C-101plowerpower 1,605]

  smear the grinding compound on the bottem knife and then turn the cage knifes in the "wrong" direction(opposed direction they turn when cutting) this way the knifes allway get the right angle

 

i even tried it with fine sand and grease with a bit of sucses

Edited September 20, 2013 by C-101plowerpower

[SousaKerry 501]

I have a brother that is a Green Manager at a small golf coarse in Ohio.  He stays busy through the winter months by sharpening all the reel mower blades on a machine that was purpose built for the job.  I am sure there are still some businesses around that do this for golf courses that are not so fortunate to have their own equipment.