Anybody Use One Of These?

tdelorme · January 12, 2007, 12:55:30 PM

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93213[/url]

POC or worth forty bucks?

beenthere · January 12, 2007, 01:05:45 PM

Seems this one has been discussed before on the forum, within the last 6 months. A search might come up with the different opinions. If I recall correctly, they were varied.
I suspect you get what you pay for.

For me, I'd spend the energy learning to file by hand, as it will give you a sharper chain to cut with and the 5 minutes to do it by hand likely is just as fast if not faster than setting this grinder up each time. Its hard to make a disastrous mistake when doing it by hand, but can be quick and easy to do with a grinder not set up right, or that gets out-o-whack in the middle of a sharpening job. Chains will last longer as well when by hand, as less tooth is 'filed' off.
But that is just one of the varied opinions here.

TexasTimbers · January 12, 2007, 01:46:49 PM

I have never seen a Chicago Electric tool that even looked like worth trying. Doesn't mean this one isn't okay.
Why not buy it and tell us if it's a POC or a great deal ??? ;)

tdelorme · January 12, 2007, 04:13:37 PM

Quote from: kevjay on January 12, 2007, 01:46:49 PM
I have never seen a Chicago Electric tool that even looked like worth trying. Doesn't mean this one isn't okay.
Why not buy it and tell us if it's a POC or a great deal ??? ;)

That reminded me of a post over on the woodnet forum awhile back. Seems this guy bought a Chicago Electric plam sander from Harbor Freight and had it shipped to his office. Opens it up and starts bragging about what a good deal he got. Plugged it in to show what a great tool he had and the sander caught on fire when he flipped the switch. Flames and all, had to get the fire extingusher to put it out.
With that in mind, how about I buy it and have it sent to you Kevin. Then you can post up a review for all to read. ;D ;D

TexasTimbers · January 12, 2007, 05:44:53 PM

What the heck . . . . . okay! ;D

Al_Smith · January 13, 2007, 06:44:43 AM

Opinions are varied regarding grinding verses filing .Speaking in generalities those grinders offered by Harbor frieght are not the highest in quality.

I myself am a hand filer,not the best but better than the average.It takes a bit of time to get the knack down.Some pick it up faster than others and some never do.

Along those lines,my personal belief is that a person would be better off to spend about 8 dollars for an Oregon file guide.This comes with the guide,two files,a file handle and directions for use.Learn the basics then wean yourself from the guide and file freehand.

jokers · January 13, 2007, 09:19:37 AM

I see the place for a grinder as either being to provide precision that a person could not achieve by hand or for speed when doing a large volume of chain sharpening. The one experience that I had with the HF grinder clearly demonstrated to me that this grinder provides neither. It is too flimsy to hold it`s angles unless extremely light cuts are taken on each tooth which necessitates multiple passes on each side of the chain to get it sharp, which obviously means that it`s not a quick affair. In fairness though I suppose that there could be a valid use for one of these grinders. No, not as a paperweight. :D ;D The one that I used was for the 80 something father of a friend who likes to be able to take care of himself and has no time contraints other than the obvious ;). This grinder lets him do his own chain maintenance once or twice a year.

sharp edge · January 13, 2007, 10:30:43 AM

Thought i had one, but when open the box it was a Nick. My son has a H/F one can't tell the differences in them. They are the only type i've used. Think they are great and wouldn't be without one. Been a machinist for 25yrs. and developed a lot of touch for machines like that. 8) Less touch one has the better machine you need. Still use files in-between.

Stephen1 · January 13, 2007, 11:03:34 AM

I will sharpen by hand a couple of times and ship to dealer for a pricision sharpening. works good for me cuts down on the tools, I have to many tools now.

TexasTimbers · January 13, 2007, 11:51:06 AM

I just want to be able to sharpen them perfectly, almost instantly, nearly effortlessly, and without having to remove them from the saw. Is that too much to ask. ???

I know. Get good at using a file, or go back to . . . . . . .

luke2 · January 13, 2007, 02:25:27 PM

My loving wife bought me one a couple of years ago at Christmas. It was so sloppy and flexible I considered it unusable. After a little time passed, and I didn't think she would notice, it went in the land fill. I bought a Maxx and have been pleased.

Simonian · January 16, 2007, 10:01:49 PM

Never used one but it made in China so my guess POC
Just a note the pink stones on any of these grinder does not hold a candle to the diamond wheel that Diamond Wheel makes. These never change shape and will sharpen many many chains but they do cost about 150.00 You could start a business with the 511A and one of these wheels.
I know someone that did

Raphael · January 19, 2007, 06:16:45 PM

From what I've been told the motor doesn't reverse, so even if it's holding angles perfectly the teeth will differ slightly in character one side to the other. Fine for cross cutting, useless for ripping on a cantilevered head mill and slows you down on an alaska style mill.

boboak · January 19, 2007, 10:50:37 PM

A friend of mine bought one and invited me over for a filing party. I managed to file one chain without yielding to the tempation to rip the thing off of the bench and throw it as far as I could. My buddy felt the same way. And for the record,both us us have run other grinders for more years than we care to admit. My opinion...spend more money and get a real grinder.

Simonian · January 19, 2007, 11:49:39 PM

The problem with motor that runs in reverse is it will be necessary to get to an eye doctor and have him drill out the hot drops of metal that burned into your eyes.
I have been using a 511 A for more than 30 years . Yes it has lasted that long averaging a chain or 2 per day. It only turns in one direction away from me. One day when the wind was a little stronger and in the other direction it got me. A hot particle took a good bounce and with the wind's help ended in my left eye.
For cutting fire wood it does a fast and great job with a diamond wheel

pineywoods · January 20, 2007, 10:23:30 AM

I have one of the HF grinders. It has limitations, but if you don't push it past those, it works well. IF you let your chain get so dull that it requires cutting 1/8 inch off the tooth to get it sharp, go find a bigger grinder. When my chain gets the least bit dull, I use the HF grinder to touch up the edge, just like you would do with hand filing. I'm happy with it.

Simonian · January 20, 2007, 12:37:36 PM

That was a good post.
All tools have there limits. Some tools require a skill to use properly.
I can remember my first few times with the one I have. It was hard to get everything right but now it so easy and fast.

jokers · January 21, 2007, 01:06:24 PM

Quote from: Simonian on January 19, 2007, 11:49:39 PM
The problem with motor that runs in reverse is it will be necessary to get to an eye doctor and have him drill out the hot drops of metal that burned into your eyes.

Not if you wear eye protection and keep your eyes out of the chip stream. All my Silveys, Oregons, and Efco/Tecomecs are bi-directional and I`ve never had a chip in my eye from grinding. Probably the biggest risk from having the wheel turn toward the operator is that if the wheel explodes it will hurl chunks at the operator. Being smarter than the machine and doing what you can to place yourself OUT of harm`s way goes a long ways toward safe operation.

That being said, taking light cuts with a mono directional grinder leaves such a minimal burr on round ground that it becomes moot.

Quote from: Simonian on January 19, 2007, 11:49:39 PMI have been using a 511 A for more than 30 years .......It only turns in one direction away from me.

Are you sure about the age of that particular grinder? I have a 511A or two and a few Tecomecs that I would say are no more than 10 years old that are bi-directional, perhaps these are "old stock" machines but small details such as having lights and newer style handles suggests that they are not. Just curious.

oldsaw · January 21, 2007, 01:15:37 PM

Quote from: Stephen1 on January 13, 2007, 11:03:34 AM
I have to many tools now.

Blasphemy!!!! Let the exorcism begin!!!!

Mark

sawguy21 · January 21, 2007, 02:59:39 PM

:D :D :D :D

Simonian · January 21, 2007, 03:03:28 PM

will there may have been a 511A that was Bi but living in California I did not get one.
I also never remember buying 2 511A and I know when I started using one and that was several years before my first born son which was 1982 so do the math. 8)
below are 4 picks taken about 11:50:37AM on 1/22/07 of what I believe to be a 511A with Diamond wheel attached. Note the amount of metal dust. That's about 1 year worth. I do not clean tell it starts to burn.

Please use the Forestry Forum Gallery for Photos
admin

Jim Spencer · February 04, 2007, 11:18:38 PM

I use one and have sharpened about 50 chains with it.
It is flimsy and has a lot of play but has done a good job for me.
I have been sharpening chains with a file for at least 50 years and when I bought a Logosol mill I started to use a Dremel tool which I still use sometimes when I don't want to remove the chain from my Mill saw.
I have the Hatrbor freight sharpener set up in my basement and have about 15 chains which I will sharpen the dull chains when the weather is such that I want to stay in the house.
I never ever thought that I would like it because when I have had a chain sharpened professionally at the chainsaw dealer he removed so much material that there was not much left.
I only touch up my chains and do not remove much material and am very happy with the results. For some reason my chains seem to cut better than when I use a Dremel or a file.
Hope this helps.
Jim