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Thread: Chainsaw sharpening
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10th August 2007, 06:29 PM #1
Chainsaw sharpening
Now this one has me a bit perplexed.
I have a simple stihl chainsaw file and guide - hand held push and pull file - real easy. Doesn't champ onto anything just freehand. It sharpens the saw chain and I have had reasonable results.
I also have a dremel type grinder (Granberg 12V) that has small diameter stones that grind the saw blade sharp.
Now plus's and minus's for these are
FILE
File it works fine - doesn't need a battery (12v) just me and I think i am getting pretty good results.
I have found I need to remove the guide to enable the file to work underneath the chisel and at the throat of the cutter - if it is kept screwed to the guide it just files away the chisel and doesn't sharpen the throat. Anyone else agree with this??
GRINDER
The grinder is okay IF you have the right size stone - too big and it destroys the chain by cutting away the chisel to get into the throat.
The chain has to have the oil and crap wire brushed clear to ensure the grind wheel doesn't fill with gunk and clog it.
I have had a number of wheels, stones or little grinders (call them what you will) just disintegrate very early in the sharpening process.
The battery is an extra weight on trips and I have had a couple (motorbike batteries $100 each) and they lasted next to no time - just near run them flat and stuffed . So this has stung me twice now on two trips.
SO I have to wonder what are people's preferences in effective chainsaw sharpening and why.
Paid $12 each for my last two sharpenings when the saw was serviced and they sharpened one only (I put the unsharpened chain on tried to cut down a 600 diameter tree (a bit anxious) and got a few inches into it and smoke everywhere - blunt as!!! Thought I had even put the chain on backwards - is that possible?? Anyway filed it and continued - wasn't happy paying $12 for eactly no sharpening. Yes it was blunt - cutting a tree into ground is hard on a saw.
I guess we all have stories about sharpening places grinding too much off the saw and never going there again.
WHAT WORKS FOR YOU ???
Me I am prefering the file and freehand, but I did think the grinder was good when it was all set up right and the chain was clean - so may give it another go - reluctant to buy another $100 battery if it dies real soon though.Cheers
TEEJAY
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
(Man was born to hunt and kill)
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10th August 2007 06:29 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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10th August 2007, 06:42 PM #2
Freehand with an unguided file
Cheers
DJ
ADMIN
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10th August 2007, 06:55 PM #3
Freehand with guide.
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10th August 2007, 07:04 PM #4
Teejay
This is what I use.
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10th August 2007, 07:13 PM #5Intermediate Member
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12 volt sharpener is the go , buy yourself a cheep battery charger and keep an old car battery on charge at all times, works for me
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10th August 2007, 07:16 PM #6
I use a guide similar to the one Bazza has in his pic, mine is an "Oregon" branded one, available from Husqvuarna dealers, I think I paid $45 for it about 10 years ago.
Once you have set all the angles and depth of cut it produces quick, consistant resharpens in no time, mine has paid for itself many times over.
Just clamp it on the bar, give each cutter the same number of file strokes, and you'll have a chain that is perfect each time.
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10th August 2007, 07:26 PM #7
I use one of these
then a file during the day to keep the edge..
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10th August 2007, 07:28 PM #8
Just a few other comments because I didn't have time to add any more because SWMBO had dinner on the table and she gets agro if I don't come straight away and I will get punished.
I use this out when getting firewood and when the chain gets worn down about half way I put it on the 240 volt electric one to get all the teeth equal again or if I have hit the Granite soil, because that really takes the edge off a chain.
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10th August 2007, 07:59 PM #9SENIOR MEMBER
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Electrickery
stead of buying a car battery - buy one of those starter units... they even charge from your car cig lighter...
I've got one and it has an inverter on it and I run electric lights off it and even boiled up the kettle with it...
Never tried an elec CS on it - but theres a thought...
JedoWhen all the world said I couldn't do it - they were right...
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10th August 2007, 08:12 PM #10
I have used the perzact same thing as Barry, with pretty good results.
I Then moved to a Carlton file-o-plate. A really simple system which is quick, easy, and effective. It is about the only thing going which inherently allows for the shortening of the cutter tooth as it wears.
I have recently bought a 240v grinder, which is a knock off of the Oregon pictured in David's post. I am still on a learning curve with it, but when I get it right, it cuts gooder than a new chain. Never blame a 240v grinder for poor results, losing half your chain or bluing of cutters. Blame the dill using it.Boring signature time again!
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10th August 2007, 09:57 PM #11
I use a file but will get a grinder like outbacks, a knockoff oregon.
Millers Falls units brand new on ebay are around $70 to $80
I'll still sharpen with a file when in the bush but will grind after every 4 to 6 file resharpens if only to re-establish proper angles etc
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10th August 2007, 10:30 PM #12
Eze-Lap make a diamond chainsaw sharpening bit designed for 500-2000RPM drills It easily outlasts the Dremel stones and sharpens really fast! Have used mine in a cordless drill with good success, although it gets tiring holding the drill at the right angle after a while
$19-$20 at Bunnies (in the sharpening section of the Tool aisles).How much wood could the woodchuck chuck if the woodchuck could chuck wood?
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10th August 2007, 10:38 PM #13
On site, I just free hand, unless I hit a rock or nail, but at night, when I get home, I sharpen with a jig, like Barry's
I don't like the dremel things, I think it is WAY too easy to take off WAY too much.It's a Family thing.....
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10th August 2007, 11:54 PM #14
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11th August 2007, 12:13 AM #15
I use a 240v grinder the same as DavidG and I have 3 chains. I sharpen them all up at home and any time a chain gets blunt just rip it off and chuck a sharp one on. Saves mucking around in the dirt and dust during the day when you could be busy making sawdust
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep---not screeming, like the passengers in his car.
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