How To Sharpen Machete with Bench Grinder: The Best Methods

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A machete is a handy tool to have in the garden. It can cut through thick brush, clear pathways, and chop down large weeds. However, if your blade becomes dull from overuse or misuse, you’ll need to sharpen the machete with a bench grinder before using it again.

There are many ways to sharpen your machete with various tools, but this article will discuss the best methods of sharpening a machete on a bench grinder.

How to sharpen a machete with a bench grinder?

A bench grinder is a tool for any woodworker or metal worker in their shop because it’s an excellent sharpening machine. This article will discuss using a bench grinder for sharpening a machete, the best types of wheels, and grits for different blade metals. A bench grinder is a popular machine among many blacksmiths, hobbyists, and knife makers to edge their blades.

With the inexpensive price point, these machines are hard to pass up for this type of work. As with any machinery, there can be drawbacks but don’t let it discourage you from using one; after proper instruction and understanding, you can use one very successfully. The first thing to know is how the bench grinder works and what you do. The machine has two main components, a motor that spins an abrasive wheel on the bottom side and a “work-rest” for your piece of steel to sit at while sharpening it.

As the motor spins the abrasive wheel, it moves the work rest closer or further away from the spinning wheel. The distance between the two determines how aggressively a cut you are taking when sharpening. Do not be tempted to hold your steel bar in your hands when sharpening on this machine! These machines are meant for woodworking because they can be clamped into place. If you are not using the work rest, at the very least, get a hold of some 2×4 to clamp your work down to.

The reason for this precaution is safety; if you lose control of the steel for whatever reason while sharpening with this machine, it could cause serious harm to you. Better safe than sorry is the rule here, so please take every precaution to keep yourself out of harm’s way while using this machine.

With that said, let’s get on to how you sharpen your machete with a bench grinder!

 

Sharpening a Machete With Safety

Please note that when using a bench grinder, you must always wear safety equipment such as protective eyewear, gloves, and ear protection because the wheel is very sharp. If you don’t wear safety equipment while using a bench grinder, your eyes and hands can be severely cut by the wheel’s high speeds, so please take caution when working with this machine.

Read about how to use a machete safely.

 

Machete Sharpening Angle

Before we know more about sharpening the machete, you should determine what angle to sharpen it at. Most blades will be sharpened between a 20 and 30-degree angle, but this varies depending on your preference and skill level using a bench grinder.

 

Best Way to Sharpen a Machete

The best way to sharpen a machete with a bench grinder is to use the slowest speed for your wheel and work on one small section at a time. Ensure that you’ve cleaned off all of the metal debris from each previous sharpening attempt because it can quickly build up during sharpening and cause the same problems you’re trying to fix.

After you complete sharpening one side of your blade, turn it over, so the other side faces up on the wheel for further sharpening until all marks are gone from both sides of your machete.

Also, read about how to sharpen machete with whetstones.

 

Hand Bench Grinder Benefits & TypesWEN BG4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Single Speed Bench Grinder

A hand bench grinder can be an excellent sharpening machine for your machete because it’s small, easy to use, and portable. If you’re looking for a compact sharpener that doesn’t take up much space in the garage or home workshop, this is something worth having on hand.

A bench grinder is a small yet powerful tool that can be used for many purposes. While this machine is often used to sharpen blades, it can also polish other objects around the household. It includes countertops and metal pieces.

These machines are pretty versatile, and there are three main types of bench grinders: Stalwart, Craftsman, and Ridgid. There is also the Dremel bench grinder used for polishing and sharpening purposes. While most grinders are electric and come with a cord, some still run on gas power.  These gas-powered models can be more challenging to start up, but they do not require an electric cord.

They are more portable and generally run for more extended periods without refueling. These machines can access all areas, which is not possible with many models of electric grinders (due to the cords). Gas-powered bench grinders generally start at around $100 or less. On average, most bench grinders cost about $40 and up.

As stated above, the Dremel bench grinder is used for polishing and sharpening purposes. It can include bits, electric tools, blades, countertops, nails, and much more. These machines usually come with three or four different grinding wheels, which are changed out as needed.

They are safe to use and come with a base that allows the user to hold the object in place while sharpened or polished. These machines are easy to transport from one location to another, making them convenient. You should buy the best hand bench grinder.

 

What are grinding sharpening wheels?

Grinding sharpening wheels are long-lasting abrasive discs that can be used for various sharpening tasks. These grinding wheels come in different shapes and sizes with an infinite number of abrasives.

They’re designed to fit your bench grinder perfectly, so there’s no need for any manual adjustment on your part. Grinding sharpening wheels are available in different materials, including aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide, and silicon carbide.

You should select the best type for blade maintenance because they all have unique purposes for sharpening various tools like machete’s or knives.

 

Keep Your Machete Sharp and Maintained

A machete is a useful tool around your yard, but it can quickly become dull from overuse or misuse, so you need to sharpen it before using it again. There are many ways to sharpen with various tools, such as hand sharpening or bench grinding, but the best method of sharpening for most people is by using a bench grinder.

A sharp machete will make your work easier and safer than a dull blade that can slip or bounce when cutting through certain materials.

 

Why do you need machete sharpening?

Machetes are usually used for chopping through certain types of vegetation or brush, so it stands to reason that the blade will become dull from overuse. Suppose you’re going to use a machete around your garden, yard, or farm. In that case, regularly sharpening with a bench grinder is extremely important because it will help to maintain the blade’s sharpness and effectiveness throughout its lifespan.

Sharpening is an important part of keeping your machete in good working order, so you should take some time every few months to sharpen it with a hand or bench grinder depending on preference. It can also be helpful to use a polishing wheel to remove the metal residue that builds up while sharpening.

If you’re looking for a long-term solution, consider buying one of our fixed or powered grinders. They’re designed specifically for this type of blade maintenance and are available in both handheld models and larger benchtop versions.