Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Equipment => Topic started by: mecktom on November 17, 2011, 11:14:01 AM

Title: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: mecktom on November 17, 2011, 11:14:01 AM
I have used several differnt types of sharpeners and was wondering what do some of the members of this board use? Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: jerkash on November 17, 2011, 12:51:04 PM
I put my saw in a vise and sharpen it by hand with a file.  Commercial sharpeners get the chain so hot that it makes it hard to sharpen by hand after that.  Not sure about the smaller ones.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: BoilerHouse on November 17, 2011, 02:49:53 PM
I tried by hand but I always seemed to rock the file slightly and didnt get a good edge.  Next I tried the jig style which clamped to the bar and I found it to be a major piece of cra*. I now use a 12 volt dremel style with the grinding stones and find I get the best results. Just a quick touch to the tooth is usually enough.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: mikenc on November 17, 2011, 05:44:58 PM
I use Oregon 511ax. Takes awhile to get use to but works great.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: BIGDIESEL20S on November 18, 2011, 07:00:28 AM
I use the Stihl USG (bench mounted). I really like it, but like said before if its done wrong it will over heat the chain and cause it not to hold an edge or make it hard to file by hand. But we sharpen chains here since we are a Stihl dealer so its nothing for me to go sit at the sharpener and sharpen 10 to 30 chains a week. So Ive got plenty of practise with it. The big thing is dont try to take it all off at one time, you got to take a little off at a time and go around the chain a few times so it dont get too hot. So my advice if anybody gets a sharpener like this is to start with older chains first in case you burn it up.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: Daped01 on November 18, 2011, 07:29:54 AM
I now use a 12 volt dremel style with the grinding stones and find I get the best results. Just a quick touch to the tooth is usually enough.


+1
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: oldchenowth on November 19, 2011, 06:38:38 AM
Hand file.  I can't seem to get anything else to work as well.  Tried an electric one and got dust, hand file throws chips off the same chain.  It just takes twice as long
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: beeman on November 20, 2011, 08:03:09 AM
i use a chain saw sharpner from harber fraight , the only draw down is you have to take the chain off of the saw but it will take it back to like knew
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: bigbird1 on November 20, 2011, 04:30:20 PM
I also like the oregon 511, put a dimond wheel on it and it will out last me . 
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: MattyNH on November 27, 2011, 04:19:13 PM
Hand file.  I can't seem to get anything else to work as well.  Tried an electric one and got dust, hand file throws chips off the same chain.  It just takes twice as long
I agree...I can get my chain way sharper then have a machine  etc do..Ive been taught by a logger on how to sharpen a chain and keep it sharp.. After all loggers don't need machines/ stones etc.. All u need is a file..Also file your rakers down.. Bites into the wood more.. Hand file way to go!
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: martyinmi on November 27, 2011, 08:07:46 PM
MattyNH-
Right on Brother! :post:
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: woodisgood on December 04, 2011, 01:28:46 PM
 Theres a bunch of us that cut wood together and are thinkin about buying a oregon 511ax sharpener does anyone know anything about them? Will they sharpen all brands of chains. And before anyone says it I know a file by hand is the best way! LOL!
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: MattyNH on December 04, 2011, 09:03:17 PM
Theres a bunch of us that cut wood together and are thinkin about buying a oregon 511ax sharpener does anyone know anything about them? Will they sharpen all brands of chains. And before anyone says it I know a file by hand is the best way! LOL!
Well not knowing a whole lot about that sharpener..I did google it and looked at the pic lol.. Seems neat.. Well what I got to say those "other brands" of chains has to fit your saw like the "oregon brand"..I don't see why that sharpener wouldn't sharpen "other brands" of chains..
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: tbone on January 16, 2012, 08:27:54 AM
Good thread...I always wondered why my chains were never the same once I went to the bench mount.  I always try to hand sharpen as long as I can.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: tree climber on January 23, 2012, 05:00:01 PM
i hand sharpen also unless i hit concreate or metel in tree. then grinder
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: chuck_brown14 on January 23, 2012, 06:24:16 PM
i hand sharpen also unless i hit concreate or metel in tree. then grinder
Same here
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: bajonesy77 on January 25, 2012, 10:56:52 PM
I use a hand file and elbow grease, till I run out of elbow grease then a dremel with a grinder.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: chadley on February 04, 2012, 09:06:30 PM
I just tried sharpening my first chain yesterday.  Never done it before.  How many times should I run the file across the tooth?  Should I only run the file one way.  What I mean is; if I pus the file to sharpen should i pull it back along the same angle or should I take the file off the tooth and bring it back to push it forward again?  Hope my questioin makes sense.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: gspren on February 05, 2012, 06:10:50 AM
I just tried sharpening my first chain yesterday.  Never done it before.  How many times should I run the file across the tooth?  Should I only run the file one way.  What I mean is; if I pus the file to sharpen should i pull it back along the same angle or should I take the file off the tooth and bring it back to push it forward again?  Hope my questioin makes sense.

Never back drag the file! The file should only touch the metal while taking a cut, letting it touch while pulling back will dull the file. Keep practising, it would be good if you could watch someone experienced file a chain, its not that hard. 
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: trz on February 11, 2012, 01:42:49 PM
any tips for hand file sharpening?    Gauge or no gauge ?   I always seem to get a good bite going one direction then when i do the teeth on the other side seems like the file always wants to skim across without biting.   any help would be............well.... helpful.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: tree climber on February 11, 2012, 03:26:52 PM
i like to put the saw in a bench vice to hold it so you can get more down presureon the file
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: tbone on February 23, 2012, 09:08:14 AM
I purchased a dremel with the sharpening kit last week and it works very well.  I have found at low rpms you can get the same results as hand filing in a fraction of the time...very sharp chains without removing a lot of metal or overheating your chain.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: yotehunter66 on September 26, 2012, 05:46:41 PM
TimberTuff bench grinder.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: MattyNH on September 26, 2012, 07:32:42 PM
Best chain sharpener is the hand file...hands down..
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: willieG on September 27, 2012, 08:45:54 PM
best chain sharpener for my saws...anyone but me..lol
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: rross on November 25, 2012, 01:25:58 PM
A good Dremel and diamond stone.  Does not overheat the chain like regular stones.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: garz on November 26, 2012, 09:20:25 AM
I looked at the sharpener from Harbor Freight & it looked like a cheap collection of plastic parts.  But, they had it on sale & I had a coupon so, I figured “What the hell, for $20 I’ll take a shot”.  That was 3 years & a couple of hundred sharpenings ago. Now I keep 4 saws of my own going & do chains for 4 or 5 of my neighbors. Got to be the best 20 bucks I ever spent. Out in the woods, I can easily flip a spare sharp chain on the saw in the time it would have taken to hand file the dull chain.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: ford tech on November 26, 2012, 02:30:29 PM
I USE A BENCH MOUNTED SHARPENER FROM STIHL - THAT USES A ROUND HAND FILE WORKS GREAT
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: lasor1 on December 02, 2012, 05:55:40 AM
I suggest learning hand file. Because if you use grinder style sharpeners u will always use one because it does heat the chain up no matter how little you use it and makes it hard to file chains and if you cut a lot you better keep a file with you in the field. With a grinder u cannot. Use unless u have power so I suggest a hand file or get you several chains to take with you if you go the grinder route. Which it's always a good ideal to have an extra chain and a backup saw with you anyways.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: netwerx-r-us on January 20, 2013, 08:53:26 AM
best chain sharpener for my saws...anyone but me..lol

Amen and a second , i can do almost anything but hand sharpening a saw and laying brick are 2 things best  left to others
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: artbaldoni on January 20, 2013, 11:25:21 AM
What I use because I run full skip chain.
http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-505698191-8-Inch-Chain-Filing/dp/B0035AKJN0 (http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-505698191-8-Inch-Chain-Filing/dp/B0035AKJN0)

What I would use if I ran full comp...
http://www.pferdusa.com/products/201b/201b01/201b010503P.html (http://www.pferdusa.com/products/201b/201b01/201b010503P.html)

What I would use if I had an extra $125...
http://www.timberlinesharpener.com/ (http://www.timberlinesharpener.com/)
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: slosh250 on January 21, 2013, 06:44:57 PM
I have always wanted a stihl FG 2 but never had the money for one, guess i'll stick to hand fileing
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: ghitch75 on February 11, 2013, 01:56:50 PM
this for hand sharpen.....



(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411rP8wUgCL._SY450_.jpg)
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: Jcl on February 23, 2013, 07:31:15 PM
i bought the Timberline chain sharpener  for my wood processor it works good i have to make 2 passes on each chain and the chains stay sharper longer then when i was sending them out .  just have to make sure it stays at same height  while sharping if it moves you got to start over.

i have a 511ax, save a edge files and also paided people.     Timberline chain sharpener  the chains cut better  and stay sharper longer  for me and my sharping skills.   i also have 14 chains  4 different sizes of chains  i got mine for $99 with thier prom code  i dont take it out in the woods with me still carry my trusty file but back at the shop its my best way i've found for me.
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: Ohiowood on March 04, 2013, 06:41:11 PM
Hand sharping, by far the best . IMO. 
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: XJCraver on March 04, 2013, 07:22:00 PM
I bought one similar to the Harbor Freight sharpener, from a local farm store.  So far, so good.

I envy you guys that can sharpen with a file...  I've watched a dozen videos, had TWO different guys show me how to do it, and I just can not get it figured out.  Must be my impatience - I just can't do it!   :'(
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: MattyNH on March 04, 2013, 07:27:21 PM
Hand sharping, by far the best . IMO.
Absolutely!  :thumbup: I dont care what people buy for a sharpener..You cant beat the hand sharpening..
Title: Re: Best chain sharpener?
Post by: MattyNH on March 04, 2013, 07:31:01 PM
I bought one similar to the Harbor Freight sharpener, from a local farm store.  So far, so good.

I envy you guys that can sharpen with a file...  I've watched a dozen videos, had TWO different guys show me how to do it, and I just can not get it figured out.  Must be my impatience - I just can't do it!   :'(
It takes practice...Gotta have patience..You'll get it..Just follow the line on the tooth for the correct angle..Also file your rackers down a bit with a flat file....Gives more of a bite when cutting..