Thread: circular saw blade sharpener Timbecon vs Forestwest

Originally Posted by AndyJ

I take from the product images that this is actually the same machine but I could be wrong. If it's the same machine, I'd rather not spend the 100 bucks more, but if it is a different one without those problems it maybe worthwhile.

They definitely look the same but there is one significant difference in that the Forestwest has a 370W motor whereas the Timbecon's is 250W

We have the McJing one and after the old man tuned it up, it works a treat.

Originally Posted by riverbuilder

We have the McJing one and after the old man tuned it up, it works a treat.

From the image here Saw Blade Grinder it looks like the same machine again. What did you do to tune it up?

I went with the Forestwest version for use at out local Men's Shed. It has now done a lot of resharpening and well and truly has paid for itself, but as I have posted previously in that other thread you linked to, it's a well built machine except for the indexing pin arrangement which is 'Mickey Mouse'.

Some don't bother using the indexing pin mechanism and just eyeball how much they are taking off each tooth. That's OK if you only get to resharpen a blade two or three times, a bit of variation in tooth height won't be too destructive of cutting performance. But, if the blade will be resharpened a dozen times, as we do, then eyeballing it isn't an option.

I did make one change to the mechanism on our model, but that didn't improvement things very much. The indexing mechanism is still a PITA.

Riverbuilder, I'm also interested in the 'tuning up' on your McJing model.

And, would appreciate seeing any improvements that anyone else has made to the indexing pin arrangement on theirs.

Here is another version that is currently cheaper...

VEVOR 370W Circular Saw Blade Grinder Sharpener Machine Heavy Duty Mill Grind Diamond | VEVOR AU

Delivery cost may be a factor in overall price.

Originally Posted by NeilS

... would appreciate seeing any improvements that anyone else has made to the indexing pin arrangement on theirs.

Here is the mechanism on another variation on this style of CS blade sharpener (Hanchen model) that might be easier to adjust.

Hanchen index pin mechanism - image 3.jpg

I send my dull saw blades to W.D.Quinn Saw Company in St Louis, Missouri. They do a fantastic job of sharpening carbide saw blades. When I get my blades back, they are actually more sharp than when they were new. They also manufacture carbide saw blades and I have several of their saw blades. I have their 10 inch saw blades for my table saw, and I have their 12 inch saw blades for my compound sliding miter saw. They use high tech German automatic saw blade sharpeners and I have visited their shop and watched them sharpen blades. They let you tour their shop and they explain how they do things. I have to tell you, it is really cool and if you ever get an opportunity to tour their shop, by all means, do so, you will really enjoy it.

They have a web site and they have a video of their sharpening process. If you have a little time, check it out, you will like it.

Originally Posted by Jim-W

I send my dull saw blades to W.D.Quinn Saw Company in St Louis, Missouri. .... They let you tour their shop and they explain how they do things. I have to tell you, it is really cool and if you ever get an opportunity to tour their shop, by all means, do so, you will really enjoy it.

I'm unlikely myself to visit the W.D.Quinn Co, or Missouri, or for that matter the US, so I guess I will just have to keep sharpening the saw blades myself...

Originally Posted by Jim-W

I send my dull saw blades to W.D.Quinn Saw Company in St Louis, Missouri. They do a fantastic job of sharpening carbide saw blades. When I get my blades back, they are actually more sharp than when they were new. They also manufacture carbide saw blades and I have several of their saw blades. I have their 10 inch saw blades for my table saw, and I have their 12 inch saw blades for my compound sliding miter saw. They use high tech German automatic saw blade sharpeners and I have visited their shop and watched them sharpen blades. They let you tour their shop and they explain how they do things. I have to tell you, it is really cool and if you ever get an opportunity to tour their shop, by all means, do so, you will really enjoy it.

They have a web site and they have a video of their sharpening process. If you have a little time, check it out, you will like it.

Jim,
thanks for that info

you do know that you are posting on an Australian based forum?
and that Australia is not that country south of Germany that doesn't have kangaroos?


Australia is a very long way from everywhere, has animals that range from cute and cuddly to really deadly, even the spiders can kill you.
BTW, while Tassie Devils look like they are cute and cuddly, they are vicious.

Originally Posted by NeilS

…so I guess I will just have to keep sharpening the saw blades myself...

You don’t HAVE to sharpen them yourself. You could have them professionally sharpened. That’s just one of those jobs I would never consider doing myself.

I do realize this is an Australian forum, but without thinking clearly I mentioned the W.D. Quinn sharpening place in the post I made. After I did it I felt pretty silly but figured I may as well leave it. Perhaps there is a place somewhere in Australia where they sharpen saw blades using high tech German sharpening machines. In any case, in the future I will try really hard to keep in mind where this forum is based.

Originally Posted by ian

Jim,
thanks for that info

you do know that you are posting on an Australian based forum?
and that Australia is not that country south of Germany that doesn't have kangaroos?


Australia is a very long way from everywhere, has animals that range from cute and cuddly to really deadly, even the spiders can kill you.
BTW, while Tassie Devils look like they are cute and cuddly, they are vicious.

Originally Posted by Jim-W

I do realize this is an Australian forum, but without thinking clearly I mentioned the W.D. Quinn sharpening place in the post I made. After I did it I felt pretty silly but figured I may as well leave it. Perhaps there is a place somewhere in Australia where they sharpen saw blades using high tech German sharpening machines. In any case, in the future I will try really hard to keep in mind where this forum is based.

Jim

You are far from the first and you won't be the last that overlooks, albeit briefly, where most of us that participate on this forum are located...

However, all are welcome regardless of their location and their sincere contributions appreciated.

You just need a thick skin to cope with our chiacking.

Originally Posted by jack620

You don’t HAVE to sharpen them yourself. You could have them professionally sharpened.

Like chainsaw sharpening, it depends on how often sharpening is required.

If only very occasionally, then sending blade out to be 'professionally' sharpened is a good way to go. But if it is very often it becomes too expensive and time consuming (sending or dropping off and fetching, etc).

At our local menz shed our circular saw blades get used so much that collectively they need to be re-sharpened up to a dozen times a year. And, over time we found that the 'professionals' were a bit more hit and miss than we liked. If the apprentice at the saw shop was given the job, even using an automated industrial sharpener, we would get blades coming back that were so-so, with angles off and too much tooth unnecessarily ground off.

It has been more economical and time saving for the shed to have its own inhouse saw doctor (moi) and for us to do our own sharpening. This also allows us to fine tune blades for one purpose or another.

So, for our purposes a mid-range sharpener has been a good investment for the local menz shed. I don't expect it being so for a home workshop.

For my own purposes I also do all of my own chainsaw sharpening. Besides the economics of doing so I avoid some of the iffy efforts I have seen coming back from local chainsaw shops. I have worked my way up over the years to a good quality one of these. Worth the extra $s over (for example) an economy Ozito if you are are using it a lot and want more/finer adjustments...

20230503_164126.jpg

Just had a look at the Vevor and add says it’s discontinued 😱