Engineering question - how to spin a cylindrical shaft?

[Electric_Andy]

Bit of advice sought from you engineering types out there please.

I have a reel mower; the only way to sharpen the blades is to spin the shaft (and blades) backwards against the bottom plate (backlapping) with some cutting grease. The shaft is cylindrical but has no notches or profiles on it. I have managed to hammer a socket onto it before so that I can spin it with my drill, but this is destroying the shaft and the sockets. Also it only holds for so long, and then slips.

Can anyone think of a better way to do it? I cannot weld tabs on the end (which a socket will reach) becasue it is cheap metal and also needs to fit into the wheel where it clips in with a circlip. The only other thing I thought would work is maybe cut a keyway into the shaft with a grinder, and getting something that resembles a shaft key that would fit in between the shaft and a socket?

TIA

 

[T4tomo]

I know its very un-manly to raise this, but what does the instruction manual suggest re sharpening?

 

[Cycleops]

I think it may be time for a new mower.
Alternatively bring it down here the local engineers are very ingenious.

 

[Gillstay]

Why not just take the blades to be sharpened professionally and fit a new bottom plate.

 

[Gillstay]

could you get your bicycle rear wheel against the blades and then pedal and have the friction make them spin.

 

[Dadam]

Daft question would the drill chuck clamp on it, or is the shaft too thick?

 

[richardfm]

Daft question would the drill chuck clamp on it, or is the shaft too thick?

If the shaft is too big for the drill chuck then an adapter like this might work.
https://www.bacbrewing.com/en/parts-for-braumeister/52-adaptor-drill-whirlpool-bm20-50.html

 

[presta]

Cylinder mowers aren't completely obsolete, surely there must still be companies around that sharpen them properly with a mower grinding machine?

What about this one?

 

[Jameshow]

Most cricket clubs use a cylinder mower so companies are around who do sharpen them.
You could mount a pulley on the shaft and drive that via a v belt and a small electric motor say 1/4 hp?

 

[Electric_Andy]

I know its very un-manly to raise this, but what does the instruction manual suggest re sharpening?

It didn't come with one, but YouTube suggests the drill chuck method, but my chuck isn't big enough

 

[Electric_Andy]

Daft question would the drill chuck clamp on it, or is the shaft too thick?

Shaft too thick. I'd need a bigger chuck but don't want to buy a hoofing great drill

 

[Electric_Andy]

could you get your bicycle rear wheel against the blades and then pedal and have the friction make them spin.

I tried an electric sander but the resistance was too great, it just started sanding the wheels down!

 

[Electric_Andy]

If the shaft is too big for the drill chuck then an adapter like this might work.
https://www.bacbrewing.com/en/parts-for-braumeister/52-adaptor-drill-whirlpool-bm20-50.html

Thanks, might give that a go

 

[Electric_Andy]

Cylinder mowers aren't completely obsolete, surely there must still be companies around that sharpen them properly with a mower grinding machine?

What about this one?

Thanks. Trying to not spend more than the mower cost!

 

[classic33]

Shaft too thick. I'd need a bigger chuck but don't want to buy a hoofing great drill

Why not get just the chuck.