Chain sharpeners!

[KPSTIHLSAW]

I was wondering what a good brand is to use for an electric chain sharpener, and reasonable cheap but still better than by hand.

[tlandrum]

northern tool Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company has a decent one for around 100 bucks

[Al_Smith]

still better than by hand.

That is debatable if any are better than hand filing .I guess that all depends on the filer I suppose .

[rickywashere]

i tried several but ///// none seem to do as well a file in hand plus you will get way more life out of you chain .. but as i get older and the ritus get worse those northern tool Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company one's look better every day

[dovetails]

I've got a cheepy from harbor freight,I use it to get all the teeth about even and same angle, then keep them sharp with a file. For about $30.00 it does an ok job, just don't get carried away grinding,use a light touch!

[ladylake]

 I'd go with the Oregon knock off from northern tool Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company, grinders don't wear the chain out any faster than filing unless you set the to take too much off.   Steve

[bandmiller2]

Steve is right about grinders not wearing out a chain,only if some clutz hogs off .035 in a wack.Many times I won't change the adjustment on the grinder for a couple of grindings ,you just need to kiss the wheel unless your trenching with your chain.My thoughts are either buy a good grinder or take a little time and learn to file correctly.Frank C.

[ENTS]

Search may or may not get you a lot of info on this so here's a link to one thread (hope it works, I'm sure I'll hear about it if the link doesn't work).

http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,37641.msg542890.html#msg542890

In a nut shell, all the bench top grinders are only as good as the operator.  They all have their quirks that you the operator must work with.  My MAXX for instance needs to be set up for each side of the chain (you can't just flip it over and grind away).  Bar mount grinders are the same way.  I personally don't use my MAXX any more since I forced myself to file by hand.  Yes, I use a guide.

Good luck.

[tlandrum]

i have had one for a long time and unless i really rock the crap out of a chain it dont see much use. but i have been told that if you use a grinder instead of hand filing the chain lasts longer. i think becouse you take it down the same amount as aposed to eyeballing with hand filing.

[bill m]

I have a Jolly chain grinder but do not use it much any more. It does a good job but i think hand filing produces a sharper chain. As for a grinder not wearing out a chain you only take off enough to get a good sharp cutting edge weather you are using a grinder or hand filing.

[LorenB]

My sharpening philosophy seems to be different from most others on this forum.  I keep 4-6 chains for whatever bar I am using.  If I hit a rock or cut long enough to dull a chain, I switch it out for a sharp one.  When I am down to one or two sharp chains I set up the Oregon 511A sharpener and sharpen all my dull ones. 

I can get better results by using my tabletop sharpener than I can by filing.  For me, filing requires too much skill and I don’t want to take the time to learn it.  Many loggers seem never to get the hang of it, evidenced by how many use filing guides. 

I can probably change a chain in the field faster than someone else could file one, and I check and clean the bar and sprocket area at the same time. 

The biggest advantage to using the Oregon grinder is that I keep all the teeth the same length, which helps to avoid curving cuts.  I can also adjust the grinder to remove only enough steel to sharpen the chain.  Some of my chains have been sharpened a dozen times and I am still several dozen sharpenings away from wearing them out.  Since sharpening is so easy, I don’t let a chain get too dull before removing it, so I don’t usually have to remove much metal to get it sharp. 

If you take your chain to a shop for sharpening, do they file it or grind it?  There’s a reason they use a grinder.  It’s faster and does a better job. 

I like my Oregon 511A.  The newer version of this same sharpener is the Oregon 511AX.  It’s available from Bailey’s.  I admit it’s very expensive, but it does a great job with the chains.  They also come up occasionally on Craig’s List or eBay.  Seek and ye shall find. 

Here’s the link to the one at Bailey’s:
http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=ORF%20511AX

Good luck,
– Loren