Thread: Hardfacing lawnmower blades

Be very aware of blade balance, vibration, and the possibility of metal fatigue around the mounting bolts. Having shed a blade of a Victa push mower, I would not like to see one fly off a ride on.

Hey .RC.

I always use oxy/acetylene to Stellite mower blades. One big advantage using oxy is that the heat is generalised over a large area rather than localised using electrodes. This means that the Stellite is far less likely to peel and the parent blade material is far less likely to crack being of a higher carbon steel,

I grind the blades until there is an even bevel along the blade and only stellite on the prepared area and not on the back of the blade. This allows the blade to be self sharpening.

Allow the blades to cool as slow as possible and then balance the blades by positioning on an edge and grinding the back edge until they balance.

Good luck and regards,

Ted.

Ted, where do you get your stellite rods from???

Hey .RC.,

Try Robotec in Victoria. I have had my Stellite rods for so long I can't remember where I got them. I think they originally came from EMF who then became CIG and who are now BOC. There are other sites on the internet so you shouldn't have too much trouble....try a few sites for the best price.

Regards, Ted.

I use CIG tool steel eletrodes to repair anvils and chipped blades in a 9" wood chipper. They take much more than mower blades and I have no prolems. I tried a harder electrode but they cracked on cooling preheating may fix this but I just use the same electrodes as they are less trouble.