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o/t electric chainsaw sharpener?

Looked at Harbor Freight, but bought one from Garrett Tools. Pretty straightforward, very accurate and precise. Does a great job of not taking off too much. About 2 yrs old.
 
The only one I've used was an Oregon that we had at work. It worked fine but I could use a file a lot quicker. I guess if a chain was in really bad shape they are OK.
 
Keep your chain away from the dirt, use hand held file , can buy a dozen files and a good holder for less than $30. If you can not get the chain sharp and keep it that way throw it away, they don't last forever. Have cut a lot of firewood over the years and never needed a mechanical sharpener.

Have taken my used chains to a consignment sale and been paid well as they look barely used not all ground down.
 
I bought an origan, or however you spell it, several years ago, set it how the book says for the chain you want to sharpen, and it does a great job. A few weeks ago I got one in a box of stuff at an auction, looks just like mine, only its sold by northern hyd's. The stone on it was broke, so I havn't tried it yet.
 
Just get a file holder and they are easy to sharpen been doing mine for many yrs those grinders take way too much off the blade when all you need is a touch=up
 
I bought the inexpensive, Chinese made Oregon knock off from Northern Tool about one year ago when it was on sale for $90 with free shipping. Though certainly not a professional quality unit, it is perfectly adequate for a single user and it has paid for itself more than twice over in the last twelve months. One of the best tool purchases I"ve made.

Dean
 
I bought one of the HF electric jobs years ago with a coupon for $20. I was amazed with it. It actually made sharpening the chains fun and quick. You can even adjust it to trim the rakes to match. I don't know why many folks don't like them. You can't beat the price.

Jim
 
I bought an Oregon 511 on ebay several years ago for $112 shipped. Best buy I ever made. I can't understand why people think they grind the chain away. If you set it correctly the stone just touches the cutter and removes about as much metal as a file. Works very fast too. I sharpened two chains today, took me ten minutes and I had to set it different for each chain. All cutters are identical and razor sharp.
 
I have a 12 volt electric one. I love it. I hook it to the pickup battery and can sharpen a chain on the saw in about three minutes. It has a guard that has the degrees marked on it so that you get them done right. I have had it a while, but I am sure you could get one for $30 or so.
 
Bought a bench mounted chain grinder that has a reversible wheel back in 1977 have ground hundreds of chains on it and its still going strong.Paid $249 and it was a great buy.
 
I have a Neilson unit I bought for $70 when I became a McCulloch dealer in 1968. Still going strong.

Does a great job, and contrary to what critics say, if this type of grinder is adjusted properly, they don't remove any more than is necessary to sharpen the chain.

Now, the downside to my Neilson is they apparently aren't made anymore. My Neilson originally used wheels of tree different thicknesses for different size chains. Plus the Neilson wheels have a 3/8" bore. I've worn out all of the Neilson wheels I bought while I could still get them, and the only ones I've been able to find lately are 1/8" thick with a 7/8" bore.

I machined an adapter to use the 7/8" bore wheels on my Neilson grinder, but being limited to using a 1/8" thick wheel limits the versatility of the grinder.

If anyone knows where I can get different thicknesses of wheels, I'm all ears.

To answer your question, I think if you buy any one of the popular bench mount grinders and get used to using it, you'll be happy with it.

I've played with HF's grinders that are on display, and compared to my old Neilson, I wasn't impressed, but that might just be what I'm used to.
 
I use a diamond rotary file that fits in a dremel tool. I clamp chain saw bar in vise and very quickly sharpen the chain. I can get about 4-5 sharpenings on each file. I like the results and just ordered more files. I get them on ebay 4 files for $5.25. The files come in 3 sizes.
rotary file
 
someone else mentioned cutters choice and the website give them a call they have 1/8 , 3/16 and 1/4 stones in 5 5/8 and 4 1/8 od but they all have the 7/8 center. the oregon grinders take the same stones any saw shop should be able to get them. hope this helps.
 
Too much off is a fable.I did a lot of chains on my Belsaw.Chains that I saw had stone damage most of the time.You have to get all the rounded edge off to make the tooth cut again.The teeth have to be of equal length.You never take heavy cuts,this will make the chain so hard you cant file it.Bluing the tooth makes it very hard,it does not soften the steel.The chain holder on the Sharpall wont accept the .062 drive links.I have to hand file and that produces uneven teeth that dont cut well.If you will take the time to watch saw grinding videos you will see all sharpening is done very lightly.Saw blade sharpening takes a lot of skill that most people dont have.I still do 30 inch cordwood saws,most are a mess.Out of round with uneven teeth.
 
Lots of HF flyers here.You can buy one for 25 bucks with discount coupon.2 stores just opened in Maine.
 
Get one of these kits for whatever size chain you have- 1/4, 3/8 Micro. .325, .375-3/8.
http://www.baileysonline.com/Chainsaws/Files-Filing/File-Kits/Husqvarna-Filing-Kit-for-325-Pitch-Chainsaw-Chain.axd

Read the instructions and use it. It's the simplest file guide there is. The only thing you might have to do is open the chain slot a bit with a flat file if you use Stihl chain. Best in the field jig there is, bar none. I've had customers that were virtual disasters on feet use these with good success and mechanically inclined customers do a better job than I can! Try it.

For a grinder, the HF type are okay for when you rock a chain. Do not expect them to give you a grind equal to a saw shop grinder. They won't because they only cut 2 angles and give you a flat grind on the tooth. But they'll equal the teeth up and you can finish with a file.
 
Why are you only getting 4-5 sharpenings to a file? I have had mine for years and never replaced them. Just keep them clean.
 
I change them because it takes a less time to sharpen with new files. What the heck, it's only $0.25 per sharpening. I know people who pay $5 or more for someone to sharpen their chains. And they make 2 trips to town to have it done. One to take the chain to be sharpened and another to pick them up.


Do you agreee the rotart file is the way to go?
 
(quoted from post at 21:35:26 12/08/13) My chains generally wear out sooner by stretching than being ground too much. Electrics are fine.
Click to expand...

If your chains are stretching that much either you're running them way too tight or your oiler isn't working right. Run them a little looser.

Files that are kept clean, rust free and not allowed to bang around against other stuff should last, more or less, as long as the chain or thereabouts. A file is a precision cutting tool and should be treated as such. That being said, using a file for years sounds like wasted effort. If it's been used much they fill with pitch, oil and dirt along with filings. There's no economy in a dull file.
 
(quoted from post at 15:53:27 12/08/13) I change them because it takes a less time to sharpen with new files. What the heck, it's only $0.25 per sharpening. I know people who pay $5 or more for someone to sharpen their chains. And they make 2 trips to town to have it done. One to take the chain to be sharpened and another to pick them up.


Do you agreee the rotart file is the way to go?
Click to expand...

Used properly George, and you seem to be the patient type that pays attention, a rotary is probably fine. Most people I see using them either burn their chains or use the grinding bit way past it's useful life and have screwed up chain angles. Gotta remember the stones diameter is reduced over time giving you goofy angles on the underside of the cutter. This gives you inefficient cutting.
 
When the teeth on a file reflect light its dull.I filed hand saws for many years.Files used for sharpening saws should not be used for other filing.
 
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