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Chainsaw Sharpeners

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Ken

01-16-2002 11:31:26




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My local very close True Value store has bit the dust. I used them to sharpen my chainsaw blades. So now it is either go on a 20 minute round trip to the next closest place twice to drop off and pickup my blades or do it myself at home. The question is do the home sharpeners work? Are they fast enough to do a couple in that 40 minutes of running around time? I've seen the hand file systems that work with the chain still on the saw and the motorized ones with the chain off. Lets hear about it! Thanks.

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Ken, Thanks Everyone!

01-17-2002 13:53:07




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
Thanks Everyone!



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MarkB

01-17-2002 02:29:24




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
Northern Hydraulics sells two different Oregon bench mount chain grinders.

I have the model 511A which works well.

They also sell a smaller unit (don't know the model #). I've borrowed one of these and it will do the job but is incredibly slow. It also doesn't have all of the adjustments of the 511A.

You can probably find these grinders cheaper elsewhere.

I file my chains a couple of times between grindings. Also, be sure and grind down the "gages" (the little hook-shaped tips in front of the teeth) every couple of grindings. The Oregon 511A can do this, on other grinders you may have to use a file. Refer to the instructions that came with your chain to get the right angles.

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Old iron farmer

01-26-2002 16:41:55




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 Re: Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to MarkB, 01-17-2002 02:29:24  
Try www.baileys-online.com also www.cutterschoice.com for a chain grinder !!



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shoe

01-16-2002 23:19:31




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
Having been a professional log cutter for numerous
logging and helicopter logging companys, I hope I can steer you in the right direction. There is no
sharper chain than one that has been filed free
hand, if you know what your doing. But if you
haven't made a profession out of fileing a chain
chances are you need to use a File N Joint. Some
of the other guys mentioned this. It clamps on to the saw bar and holds the file. At least with this
you get close to the same angle on each tooth, on
both sides. The little 12V or 120V sharpeners they
sell in the hardware stores don't do a good job
of sharpening the chain. I have a machine that sharpens saw chain.I take the chain off the saw and put it on this machine and it square grinds
the tooth, but you have to have a chiesel bit
chain not a round tooth chipper chain. This machineis a little spendy for the occasional wood
cutter, as it costs around $1000. I think you'll
get along with the File N Joint just fine, that's
the way I learned 30 years ago.

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John in MA

01-16-2002 22:28:32




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
There is only one "real" way to keep your chains sharp. A file (possibly with guide) and practice. That's all the pros do for sharpening. You shouldn't have to take your chains to be ground unless you need to correct impact damage or a messed-up file job.

Remember, touch up the chain frequently! Like each tank of gas if you do small jobs. Five minutes each day and you'll keep it going until the teeth crack off. Handheld grinders and Dremel tools are for people who need to work "More Power" into everything they do.

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Dufus

01-16-2002 21:21:26




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
Test



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Eric

01-16-2002 19:12:40




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
I like the "Oregon" L, or LG style chain. I Have always filed them free hand with good quality files ("Pferd" brand). Don't forget to get the proper depth gauge for the brand of chain you decide to use. It will take some practice, but it's a lot handier for me. The only time I go to the saw shop is when I'm out of chain.



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Texas Chainsaw Sharpener

01-16-2002 19:02:15




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
I've just been using a plain old round file, by hand for many, many, many years. Yes it is slow, but I have nothing else better to do the night before I leave to get my wood.



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T. Beaver

01-16-2002 18:42:30




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
For thiry years, been using little file holder (2-3 bucks at hardware store). Has thumb screw which holds file....when file no longer works, loosen screw and rotate file a little. Clamp CENTER of bar in good, stationary vise. File one side of chain, move around to other side of vise and file other side. Just watch what you're doing-keep file level and maintain correct angle. Can file chain for 20" bar in less than 5 minutes. Have never used anything else.

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** chainsaw **

01-16-2002 18:18:02




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
HELLO KEN, "I USE THE DREMMEL TOOL." {120 V. OR BATTERY-PORTABLE, ARE AVAILABLE.} I SHARPEN ALL OF MY CHAINS WITH ONE. I LIKE IT VERY WELL, AND YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE THE CHAIN OFF OF THE SAW. BE SURE TO GREASE {NEEDLE TIP} THE NOSE OF THE BAR. YOU WILL FIND THE FOLLOWING SIZES : 5/32",3/16",7/32"& 1/4" OF GRINDING STONES TO USE, DEPENDING ON YOUR CHAIN SIZE. YOUR CHAIN PACKAGE, OR SAW OWNERS MANUAL WILL TELL YOU WHICH SIZE TO USE.

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cliff

01-16-2002 16:45:15




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
hello ken get you a granberg file an joint it's a clamp on hand file system and it works great i can keep my chains sharper than when there new and i use my saws a heck of alot they know what wood is a snack ha ha also you can adjust your drags with it also good luck



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Mark

01-16-2002 14:57:28




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
Dremel makes a pretty descent sharpening attachment for their dremel rotary tools for about $18.



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hermin the goose

01-16-2002 13:43:52




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
saw chain- many different types
homeowner chain- round ground
pro chain can be squire grind-
a good bottom of the line sharper is 300+- for round ground chain, the others are just toys.
i fully realise this might spark conflict but my saws are not toys---
your really not going to want to hear this, two sharpers are nice- one for rakers, one for cutters-less time changing set up.
time- 73lg, 72dl, is 5 mins tops- i do not destroy them(no rocks, iron,etc) file 3-4 times then on the grinder.
all depends what ya want to spend?
i thought when i first got sharpin saw chains, i would gdind for others for $-hahaha, just not a success story- they tell ya it does not cut straight, after you grind for them-they say bar is new- i look- see not new- see no good.
i have many storys---
one small hint- keep the wheel dressed=no blue teeth, some other tricks too- makes for very safe, enjoyable, productive saw time http://www.madsens1.com/
ron

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Dave in Mo

01-16-2002 13:34:39




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
I bought one of those $20 12 volt electric ones from Northern Hydraulics and it does work...but ya gotta be gentle. I tried the "filing" route with my Stihl first and that was like throwing bricks in the Grande Canyon. Total waste of time. This lil' grinder is very easy to guide and will just about eat up a stone per blade, so ya gotta buy a pack or two at a time. I also try not to let the blade get too dull to minimize the amount of steel to be removed.

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M.R.

01-16-2002 13:33:02




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
I’ve ran a Belsaw #8800 grinder for over 25 years, which is the same grinder as the Oregon Pro [45500 Professional Chain Grinder $260]
. I don’t often grind a new chain, but when I do it will cut enough better to see and feel the difference. The square grind or goofy will cut a little bit faster, but you will be pulling a lot more splinters. What I really like about these grinders is being able to run a truly balanced chain and being able to tweek the angles for different cutting conditions in wood species and tempature. Some of the saw shops are also in the business of selling saw chain and with a few of them you may be lucky to get more than four grinds on a chain, also if they aren’t careful they can burn the temper out of the cutting edge of the tooth

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bbott

01-16-2002 13:04:14




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 Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to Ken, 01-16-2002 11:31:26  
IMHO stuff here. I think there are 2 ways to go at home.

1) Buy a 'bucks-up' professional sharpener.
2) Do it freehand with a nice sharp file.

Over the years, I've tried a variety of $30 to $40 sharpeners, various file guides and gizmos, and so far I have been very disappointed with every one of them.

My hand-filing has been just as fast and does an equal or better job.

If I start with a good machine-sharpened chain(depending on abuse) I am able to touch them up with the file 3 or 4 times before the next machine sharpening job is needed. This eases the time and money spent at the saw shop.

I did see that Oregon has come out with a 'mid priced' model of their sharpener. It looks just like their expensive one, but with what looks to be a 'nylon' motor housing instead of metal.

Don't know if it's any good or not. Just might work.

Anyone out there have one ?

-- bbott

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Mike

01-16-2002 16:48:23




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 Re: Re: Chainsaw Sharpeners in reply to bbott, 01-16-2002 13:04:14  
This is the best way I have found- used it while working professionally in the bush.
Buy Carlton chains.They are good and come with different drive link widths to take up slack as the bar wears. By the way, use proper oil, you are throwing money away if you dont. Get their little file-o-plate and follow the instructions to sharpen by hand-it's only $5 or so.The chain stays on the saw. You can keep everything perfect with this little gizmo. Power sharpeners are really good for testing your throwing arm and dont work in the bush. With the file plate you can keep it spot on until the teeth are so short they start to break off.Remember to turn the bar over every few sharpenings to even the wear and to clean the groove and oil passages of crud-the little tool is great for this.
Just my 2c worth but I wouldnt use anything else.

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