Electric chain saw sharpener?

[Jeffrey Todd]

Has anyone tried the electric chainsaw sharpeners, and if so, are they any good? I saw one at Harbor Freight for around $30.

Thanks,

Jeffrey

[odfrank]

I use one. Real pros say that they "temper" the teeth, and are not good, but they sure do a better job for me than I can do manually.

[Barry]

I use a Dremel with a Chain Saw Sharpening Stone. Works great for me.

[RayMarler]

I use the one from harbor freight, it has worked great for me.

[Sundance]

I have the Dremel as well and it does fine.

Most times I use the hand file though. It's almost
faster and no temper issues so teeth don't chip out
as much.

I also use a file to drop the rakers.

[randydrivesabus]

I always file by hand. Usually a stroke per tooth. Don't those electric ones eat up teeth faster?

[Ravenseye]

I always struggle getting the angle right by hand, even with the gizmo thingy that supposedly lines everything up. Does the electric one make that any easier? Do most of you just touch up the edge and have at it again?

[riverrat]

I just bought one of the oregon bench top models with all the angle adjustments. I paid 300 for it new. I am very happy with it. We cut a lot of hedge so chain life is about has bad has it gets for wood cutting. at 8.00 a chain to sharpen it wont take long for it to pay for itself.:).

[carbide]

I use the one from harbor freight, it has worked great for me.

Me too.

Once set up for your particular chain size it only takes 5 minutes to sharpen every tooth on the chain to a like new sharpness. Does it effect the temper of the teeth? Yes, the teeth don't stay as sharp for as long as a new chain, but I believe that the trade off is worth it to have a chain much sharper than what I could get it done manually.

[riverrat]

the trick to keep it from tempering the chain is not to take to much off and keeping a good dressed wheel when sharpening. It not the sharpening that tempers the chain its the heat generated;)

[power napper]

I just use the el cheapo craftsman hand held chain saw sharpener--have had it for years and it does a good job.
Fast, easy, and sort of safe--wear goggles tho.

[Zane]

I have used the dremel tool for years to do it at home and just recently bought a 12v sharpener from "Bailey's" for the truck. I dont know if I'll ever need it since I carry 4 chains out to the field but it looks handy! I can sharpenm a chain in less than 2 min w/ that Dremel!!!

[MapMan]

I've used the dremel guide - it eats chains.

I've used an electric sharpener with grinding wheel - it eats chains.

I've now use a $3 round chain saw file. It works great. And the chain doesn't get gobbled up in the process. Save yourself $27 - get the file.;) With a little bit of practice, you will be able to sharpen each "side" of the chain in about five to seven minutes per side. I do a lot of cutting, have three chain saws and about 10-12 different chains for different length bars.

Give it some practice time - you'll get the hang of it, and not have to later say: :doh:

MM

[Sundance]

I've now use a $3 round chain saw file. It works great.

I'm with you MM........... I have 3 saws (older dogs, but they
are sweet) Jonsered 70E, and 2 Sachs Dolmar (now badged
as Makita).

I have a couple different file diameters and I like the wood
handle as well. And a flat for the rakers.

[MapMan]

And a flat for the rakers.

Yeah, usually don't have to do the rakers (depth gauge) too often. Touch them up from time to time with a flat mill bastard file.

Remember folks, before they had all of those neato expensive gadgets, they used simple tools to do the sharpening job. And, they cleared a lot of forests without even chainsaws... Save your money!

MM

[Zane]

I used a hand file when I was younger cutting roads out of the mtns as a job in Jr High w/ no electricity fine. But I believe the electric sharpener gets you a more precise cut unless you put one of those clamp on hand file devices. Instead of trying to go exactly the same angle ea and every time per stroke on a hand file it only takes a quick spin of the rotary file to get it done w/o lots of extra motion. I've never filed a chain down to its nub yet. Just my opinion

[Jeffrey Todd]

Wow! Thanks for all the expert opinions. I already have the round file but did not have much success, so I'll buy the electric for now and learn the other for fun.

[riverrat]

I've used the dremel guide - it eats chains.

I've used an electric sharpener with grinding wheel - it eats chains.


Give it some practice time - you'll get the hang of it, and not have to later say: :doh:

MM

If the electric sharpener is eating chains it is either not set right or you have ran the chain into the ground to the point of having to remove a lot of material to get it back into good working order. If you have the wheel dressed right and all your angles set correct it should just skim off enough to dress the cutting face of the chain;)

[MapMan]

Unless I drop it in the dirt, I rarely have to do more than lightly touch up the teeth. I work with three different pitches on my saw chains. Easier to do by hand than to reset an electric gizmo all the time. Each to their own.

MM

[KQ6AR]

At work we use the orange colored 12 volt sharpeners.
Hook it up to the truck battery. works great.

[Zane]

KQAR,
Thats the kind I use. I got mine(who got it from Baileys) from a guy in Modesto that cuts old almond orchards for a living. I cuts many chords and it works well for him. Glad to know you like them too.