Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of grinder will it work with?

This is designed to be used with a 4”, 4 1/2″ or 5” angle grinder.

What size of blades will it sharpen?

  • The maximum reach of the standard setup is about 15 inches beyond the clamping area. It will easily accommodate a 30 inch mower blade. If you have special requirements contact us and we will do our best to make it work for you.
  • The maximum blade width that can be accommodated by the clamp is 3.31 inches.
  • The maximum blade thickness that can be accommodated by the clamp screws at their factory setting is .28 inches.
  • The minimum blade size is limited by width of the blade (clamping area). The minimum clamping size is 1.70 inches. However, I have successfully sharpened blades smaller than that by adding a spacer. I am not suggesting you do that on a regular basis, just saying that it has been done.
  • Model 5000 will allow you to sharpen regular and bi-level mulching blade edges. Model 5002 is fixed at 30 degrees and is for sharpening standard blade edges only.

How do I get replacement parts?

Some replacement parts can be purchased from our Accessories page. If you need a part that is not listed on that page, you can contact us by sending an email to support@allamericansharpener.com and let us know what you will need. If we need to speak with you please give us a phone number. We will do our best to get back with you as soon as possible.

What kind of warranty does this have?

The sharpener has a lifetime guarantee for parts and workmanship. Any defective part will be replaced free of charge, including shipping to you providing it was not abused or misused. We may need to inspect the bad part in order to replace it, so we may ask you to send it to us first. For more information view our warranty statement.

How long should it take to sharpen a blade?

The first time you sharpen your blade it will likely take 5 to 10 minutes per edge depending on how bad your blade is. Most of this time will be spent establishing the correct angle. Time will vary depending on the type of grinding wheel you use and how aggressively you grind away material. We suggest small amounts of material removal so as to not overheat the cutting edge. Once you have established the correct angle it should only take a minute or two to sharpen each edge.

Is this product really made in America?

Yes, this product is made 100% in the USA, manufactured and assembled in Ohio using state-of-the-art CNC equipment.

Can I leave this attached to my trailer outside?

The majority of the parts on this grinder are anodized aluminum and stainless steel. However some parts are plain carbon steel, such as the vise handle threaded stud and the grinder adapter pin. Some early models had plain carbon steel guide arms that have been treated with a hot process black oxide coating and rust preventative. These parts are prone to rusting if left in the elements and/or not occasionally coated with a rust preventative (WD40 can be used). You can leave it on your trailer but know some parts may rust if left unattended to.

What kind of grinder wheel should I use?

  • We recommend a 36 or 40 grit flap disc OR a hard disc. Either straight or beveled wheels work equally well.
  • Type 29 or 27 flap discs will work equally. We use type 29 only because they are the easiest to find in our area. You will be fine with either type.
  • A 36 or 40 grit flap disc will take less material, leave a smoother grind and may be desirable for subsequent re-sharpening, as it will take very few grinding passes to re-sharpen the blades once the proper angle has been established.
  • If you have very dull or nicked up blades, you’re proficient with an angle grinder, and want to get the job done quickly, a hard disc for metal can be used with caution. This type of wheel will take off material very quickly and should be used with light grinding passes. If it is a new hard disc, we recommend wearing the corner off on some scrap metal before using it on your mower blade.

My grinder's handle is angled forward. Will it work with the All American Sharpener?

Yes. As long as the handle is only angled forward, and not up or down, it will work fine. As long as your grinder handle is parallel to the grinding disk, your grinder will work with our sharpeners. The only difference is that your grinder body (and hand) will be angled slightly away from the guide arms, which is not a bad thing at all.

I am taking too much off my blade. (or) The sharpener grinds a sharper angle than 30 degrees on my blade.

You are experiencing a “large” ground surface on the cutting edge of your blade and it looks like its grinding too much off the blade (more than 30 degrees). If this is the case, it is likely that the ends of your blades are not flat with the mounting surface of the blade. If you lay the blade on a flat surface you will see that the ends of the blades are not flat with that surface. You are actually grinding at 30 degrees to the mounting surface of the blade, but not to the blade end itself. A Model 5005 gives you the ability to adjust between 15 and 45 degress.

If you already have an older model that is not the 5005, there are two things you can do. One is just grind away as normal and be OK with the larger surface grind on the blade. It is truly at 30 degrees “as the grass sees it”. Or you can shim the top side (right side) of the vise between the blade and vise head with a few washer or pennies to lift that side of the blade up a bit more and grind a heavier angle (more like 35 or 40 degrees from the mounting surface). Both methods are fine, and customers do both and are happy with the results. It is really a personal preference. There is a video that explains this in more detail and it will show you how to shim your blade jig, if you prefer.

What is the thread size for my angle grinder adapter pin?

  • WE NOW SUPPLY 4 DIFFERENT THREAD SIZE PINS WITH EACH SHARPENER ORDER. One of these will fit your grinder.
  • If you do not know the thread size of your grinder’s side handle and want to know, you can refer to our growing list of grinder models and their pin threads. (Click here for the list.)
  • If your model is not on our list yet, the simplest way to determine the thread is to take your grinder’s side handle to the nut and bolt section of your nearest hardware store. Then try different nuts on it until you find the correct thread. Typically it will be M8x1.25, M10x1.5, or 5/16-18.