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Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:12 pm
by dlr110
Got this from a friend that wants me to clean it up and put a new handle on it.
Appears to have been a John Deere mower blade at one time. I'm looking to clean
the blade (how much?) and fabricate a new wood handle for it. Would greatly
appreciate any comments or recommendations as what the pros would do and how
you would proceed. Thank you.
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:13 pm
by herbva
David, I know there are many "purists" who would disagree with me, but if this mower blade is not a rare, vintage or highly desirable antique, I would knock all the rust, etc. off with a stiff wire steel wheel on a grinder or drill, followed by a trip to the belt sander with coarse sandpaper, followed by medium sandpaper and then fine sandpaper, and then an even finer finish to get whatever final effect you desire. Then put on a nice desert ironwood or burlap micarta handle, and a wicked sharp edge on the blade, and viola!
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:58 pm
by SwedgeHead
I like this.
I'd say stag handles to go with the theme, but that would have to be a mighty animal !
Does it have a John Deere stamp on it ?
Whatever handle, do an inlay.
$3.99 at tractor supply Co, just sayin.
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 1:45 am
by dlr110
herbva wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:13 pm
David, I know there are many "purists" who would disagree with me, but if this mower blade is not a rare, vintage or highly desirable antique, I would knock all the rust, etc. off with a stiff wire steel wheel on a grinder or drill, followed by a trip to the belt sander with coarse sandpaper, followed by medium sandpaper and then fine sandpaper, and then an even finer finish to get whatever final effect you desire. Then put on a nice desert ironwood or burlap micarta handle, and a wicked sharp edge on the blade, and viola!
Thank you Herb, those are some very good recommendations and I will keep them in mind as I get input.
SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:58 pm
I like this.
I'd say stag handles to go with the theme, but that would have to be a mighty animal !
Does it have a John Deere stamp on it ?
Whatever handle, do an inlay.
$3.99 at tractor supply Co, just sayin.
I haven't been able to find any kind of markings on it yet. It just has the JD green paint, however if it was your idea of a JD logo insert is an excellent idea.
Thanks folks.....
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 8:12 pm
by btrwtr
Nice looking old machete blade. Some new handles would put it back to the intended service.
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:37 am
by dlr110
Well here is where I'm at with it. The blade is never going to look like a mirror and some of the marks and gouges were too deep
to get all of them out. I decided to put a simple handle on it and I used Hickory that a cabinet maker friend gave me and the pins
are stainless steel. It's got some weight to it and I darn sure wouldn't want to have an accident with it. I've still got a little more rubbing on it before I take it back to the guy I made it for.
- 20230304_140316~2.jpg (28.57 KiB) Viewed 1312 times
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 1:35 am
by Colonel26
Wow! That’s looking real good!
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 1:45 am
by btrwtr
New life for an old soldier. Well done!
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:37 am
by Ivoryman
dlr110 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:37 am
Well here is where I'm at with it. The blade is never going to look like a mirror and some of the marks and gouges were too deep
to get all of them out. I decided to put a simple handle on it and I used Hickory that a cabinet maker friend gave me and the pins
are stainless steel. It's got some weight to it and I darn sure wouldn't want to have an accident with it. I've still got a little more rubbing on it before I take it back to the guy I made it for.
20230304_140316~2.jpg
Love what you've done to it, looks fabulous, de-rust-ified, new Hickory, and good to go. Thanks for showing, love the good home made projects like this.
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:11 pm
by Dan In MI
You did a fantastic job. The guy you made it for will doubtless be happy with it!
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 10:34 pm
by dlr110
Thank you folks for the kind comments. The friend of mine sells in a couple of antique shops and this mower blade cost him
the great amount of $5 I think. Knowing him he will put it on display and get a $100 for it. Okay on to the next project...
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2023 1:10 pm
by Nev52
Great job David!!
Nev
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2023 5:11 pm
by 1967redrider
Awesome job, David.
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2023 6:33 pm
by SwedgeHead
Very cool, I was hoping to see an update on this beast!
Re: Machete Mower Blade
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 11:37 am
by glennbad
Looks cool and functional!
