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Quality of lawn mower blade?

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Morgan:

--- Quote from: Mesophilic on September 23, 2021, 08:13:03 am ---You can also try a snap test.  I'm mentioning it because some beginners reading along might not be sure what a skating file should feel and sound like.

Cut a strip of steel a couple inches long.  Heat treat it but don't temper.  Clamp in a vice and give it a whack with a hammer.  If it bends...not going to work as cutlery.  It should snap or shatter at full hardness.

It also gives you a chance to look at the grain.  When it snaps, you want a creamy silver color, like a texture of 600 grit or better sandpaper.  If you have large grains that look 50 grit, you'll want to refine your soak time and temperature, maybe take a look at your quench as well.

--- End quote ---

Good advice.

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