Blade Adjustment & Sharpening Guide

REEL BLADE / BED KNIFE ADJUSTING & SHARPENING
Page 5
Back-Lapping (continued)
➢ Place a small amount of grinding
compound on the brush tip and
begin spreading it on the cutting
edge of the reel blade and across
the entire width as it’s rotating
(slowly).
➢ Repeat this a few times to ensure
enough compound is applied to all
the cutting edges of the blade.
➢ Continue rotating the blade for 3-5 minutes or until the compound texture become smooth and
lighter in appearance. Also note that the sound of the reel rotating against the bed knife will change
as the compound texture changes.
➢ Remove the drill from the sprocket and
rotate the reel by hand to feel the contact level
with the bed knife. You can also use the paper
strip to verify the cut.
➢ If it doesn’t cut consistently across the entire
width, tighten the contact (with the adjustment
posts) and continue back-lapping.
➢ If the contact is too tight, loosen the posts
slightly and re-check the cut. The goal is for it to
cut paper across the entire width with a minimal amount of contact. Leaving it too tight will cause
excessive friction, heat, noise and premature wear of the blade and bed-knife edges.
➢ Clean the compound from the all reel
blade edges and re-check the contact
and cutting action.
➢ This would also be a good time to
grease the reel bearing using the zerk
fittings located on each side of the reel
shaft. Mini grease guns and lithium-
based grease are available at most
auto-parts or hardware stores.
The adjustment / back-lapping, as well as the contact / cut checking process will become quicker and
easier with repetition. For more information, check out our website at caltrimmer.com or contact us at
253-333-3345.