Eatin Crow Again

Actually they are quite tasty wrapped in bacon, seasoned properly, hickory chips on the grille..................

Naw, never ate one, and don't remember ever shooting one. I have fed hundreds from my Pecan trees however.

Subject is Motorized Chain Saw Chain Sharpener.

I'm the guy who a week or so ago said bah-humbug to a post on the subject; too much trouble and I can do just fine and do the job quicker with my premium files I got off the internet.

Harbor Freight opened it's 3rd retail store within 30 miles and put out a sales catalog. One item was on sale for $29.99.99.99. You guessed it. It was the maroon plastic el cheapo looking thing. I got it home and believe it or not read the directions.

In short it was not hard to setup and if you pay attention and read the directions, you don't gobble up your cutters or burn them purple. I was really amazed at how convenient it was, how smoothly it ran, and the fine job it did and because of that I am subjecting myself to cruel but obviously justified, criticism. And, just as the green guy from Canada said...gees he does know everything...... it helps to clean out the guide bar groove periodically, so pulling the chain isn't all that bad of a deal after all.

With the difference in the sharpness of the cutters with this vs my file it probably would be a good idea taking it off and cleaning things up as it will be much more seldom.

Mark

That's interesting, as I have been toying with the idea of having an electric grinder for saw chain. I do have a saw shop nearby whom has been around longer than I can recall. I bring chains to them that I cannot take care of, and its usually not very often as my clamp on the bar file guide does serve me well.

One example, last fall, I must have hit something, am well versed in working in old fence rows, barbed wire strands, staples and all that. My chains are closer to new than not, I try to get the most out of them as best I can. So as I recall, I think one cutter was off, so I matched the rest, which took awhile, because it was a dozen strokes or so, that is a pain with a file, even on a clamp on guide. The cutters came out exactly how I like them, (Rapid Super Stihl yellow chain ). However, its the depth gauges or rakers that plague me. I can read a drawing and understand the dimension from top of cutter to top of raker, know that you have to use care and keep it uniform. Did all that and the darned chain was chattering like crazy in the cut, mind you it still tossed ribbons in fresh live cut elm. I think I took them down too far, so that one will go to the saw shop, will see what he says about it.

I'd like the ability to take care of my saw chains myself, not that I don't like the saw shop, just takes a few days, and I prefer not to rely on others when I can.

So I've looked at the myriad of electric grinders and between all the brands some by the same manufacturer, re-badged, H-F, then the wheels, also the Stihl model, all the way up to high end types that a pro would use daily. Its a bit confusing, some are costly, some not so much, I have see a few Oregon models used, reasonable, but never went for any of them, not knowing what to look for and what would serve my needs. Sharpening wheels, dressing same, the type, pink vs what else is there and is it better? Just can't figure what would be fine for my needs and that will hold up over time, just mine and probably a friends on occasion.

I find that the cutters should be the same size, but they will tolerate a small amount of deviation, rakers will not, so basically, I'd like to be able to take those down with no issues and periodically use one of these electric grinders for the cutters to even them up as needed, but not take excess metal off. I don't mind the file for touch up at all, and that one that needs to go to the shop, the points on those cutters will stick into you with ease just like a new chain out of the package. I know I can sharpen and touch those up just fine, just when that gap between the cutter and raker gets to small, every one I have done by hand, except one, has been off and the chain not safe to use. I used the guide to check, the one you lay flat over the cutters, must be me LOL !

I had that chain perfect prior to, did the rakers once before, missed one, it chattered, found the one I missed, filed it, just fine for the first time. Then I hit something, which is not often as I have lots of experience avoiding old fence strands, the ground and rocks, but it does happen. I keep multiple chains in rotation, but I don't want a pile of them needing work, as I like to keep up with them and all the maintenance on my saw. I'll use and touch up the same chain as long as I can before I put a new, from the saw shop or one I have sharpened on. I like doing my own chains as I can inspect them closely and avoid a hazard I may not see because I sent it to the shop, though they should, best I look them over too. Anything spinning 50 mph near me, certainly needs to be looked after. ! LOL !

Hello Texasmark1,

Imagine that! You read the instructions? I guess there must be a reason for putting them in the box?
Glade you got it working. I got a chain saw on a barter, I sold it, it was used but, had the instructions still in the plastic wrap, never opened!
Here is a picture of my chain sharpeners
Guido.

Guido,
What you have are diamond burrs which you can get off ebay. Usual price is around $5-6 for 4 burrs shipping included. I use them all the time on a drummel tool. Does a great job and very fast. I can usually get 4-5 chains sharpened with just one burr.

mine didn't seem to sharpen just quite right,i put a piece of 3/8 metal under the rotating chain holder,the 3/8 tilts the holder,man what a difference in the chain cutting,i use a stone and a radius guage to reshape the stone at the halfway point in the chain

The real key is not to let your chains go too far before you sharpen them,if they are just getting dull then a quick touch of the wheel against your cutter tooth is all thats needed.

That's what I did with my files and I like the idea of keeping tools sharp. Just work better.

Mark

I bought this thing on a geez, let's give this thing a try and see what happens. For 30 bucks I haven't lost much and if it works great. Well I won that one.

I was holding my 16" chain to shoot it with brake cleaner and then spray with chain lube before reinstalling and I too punched a hole in my finger....was impressed.

I have the manual gauge for the raker too. There again, directions tell the story on usage. I didn't spend much time on it but it appears that the motorized cutter is made for the cutters not rakers and one of the reasons as I see it is the width of the raker and the width of the round cutting end of the blade. The chain would have to be worked back and forth to adjust the height. Besides you are getting mighty close to your point. I think having the saw assembled and the bar in a vise before or after the cutter sharpening process would go just fine with the hand held gauge and the files, I also found online for the purpose and seem to work just fine.

Interesting comment about raker height uniformity. Will keep that in mind when mine hops. My Stihl gas doesn't but my Remington 10 and 14" electrics I use for small jobs and trimming do. I thought it might be because of their light weight, but maybe not. Think I'll strap her up in the vise and check the rakers.

I use about 2 cords a year and never cut more than one, buy the rest pre cut, some splitting on them sometimes and the Oregon brand chains and bars work for me and are priced right.....www.

Mark

Hey Billy, that first sub post on this thread was meant to be here in answer to your comments. I pushed the wrong "add a reply" button.

Hello Geo-TH,In,

I know what I got. Question is what do you have? I get dozens of sharpening from a single burr. Ether you are running yours at supersonic speed, or they just are poor quality. In the picture is my sharpener. It is a Sears chainsaw sharpener, runs at 24000R.P.M's. Last batch I bought I paid $5 for 2,

Texasmark,

That request for sharpeners was probably mine. I honestly asked and let the answers fall where they may. I am going to get a motorized sharpener, especially after trying one out.

I do use hand files currently, but after sharpening an old chain with the motorized one, I realized I can really tell the difference.

D.

eater of many crow...surprised there are any left out there.

I have the same thing in a Nielson unit I bought 'way back in the late 1960's when I was a McCulloch dealer. It has a special wheel with the cutting edge angled so it comes down flat across the rakers.

I've never seen anywhere lately to buy another one like it.

Well thanks for the kind words, but my honing technique is obviously not as refined as yours as I noted a huge difference in the before and after.

Mark

Seems you do need an extra dedicated wheel because the cutter wheel just isn't positioned, nor is it the correct width for the job.

On McCullough, I had 2 of their outboard engines after they bought out the Scott Attwater company; a 9.something hp and a 22.

Mark

I know a lot of people love to bad mouth the cheap HF sharpeners. While out in the woods, I rely on my trusty Stihl file and guide kit. However, every so often I take the chains off and touch them up on the HF unit. It does a great job of getting the teeth all the same length. I use a real light touch with the grinder and usually after three or four trips around the entire chain, it's good to go.

The firewood I cut up on the farm has a lot of grit in it, so I do touch ups after every other re-fueling!

I saw that post but didn't reply to it. Dad and I have been sharing one of the HF sharpeners for several years now. It works fine. Like any machine tool you simply have to pay attention to the setup. It will do just touch ups or fix a really dull one, whatever you need done it will do.

Texasmark1,

I am unsure that what I wrote is correct.

I noticed a significant difference of using hand files and the motorized sharpening method. I am going motorized. Motor being better.

D.

well i have been thinking of getting this sharpener for a while now and this thread has helped me make up my mind. im heading to harbor freight this weekend to get it. i will let you all know how it works for me.
Dayn.