What are the advantages

Of a electric chain sharpener

I've never used one always sharpened by hand. So I have zero personal experience using one.

I have had a local shop sharpen my chains twice and each time they come back worse then when I sent them. They took to much off so I've always just sharpened by hand and had great results.

What are the disadvantages

Perhaps im just wanting another tool even though I have a harbor freight sharpener new in the box christmas gift. Hesitent to use it though would more than likely spring for a timber tuff if I decide to use a electric sharpener

 

I should add that I like sharpening by hand. It sounds stupid but I get enjoyment out of doing it. Same thing with cleaning and maintaining the equip something satisfying about good clean properly working equip.

 

I use my grinder to reset tooth angled and repair tooth damage. I free hand file and get 5-7 or so sharpenings before the angles and rakers need attention. Yes it does take some life out of the chain, but bringing back the performance is worth it to me.

 

Since I've learned to hand sharpen my electric timber tuff only gets used when a rock jumps up at my chain, cause I'd never hit one myself.

 

That's what's confusing to me is set up and using. I've never used one and wouldn't know if I'm doing it right or just screwing it up Can you lightly touch up the chains or is it set to take off so much and thsts it.

 

Either way you want to. Here's how I initially set mine. I took a brand new chain and adjusted the angles and depth to where the stone was just touching the chain and then put a chain that needed sharpening on and tried sharpening that way. If needed, i made/make adjustments. You can use the chain advance thingy to take as much or little off as possible.

 

I bought one 3 years ago when they were on sale 40% off at northern and it still sits in the box on a shelf in the mud room. I bought it more to renew a chain from getting rocked or hitting steel and haven't really needed it. Been sharpening since I was 12 so I got it down to a science. My neighbor brings his saw down occasionally with a beer bribe and tells me " I feel like Luke Skywalker today ,,,,,, make my saw a light sabre !!!! ".

 

If your good at hand filing stick with it.You get better chains by hand and they last longer and hand filing is just as fast.

 

I still haven't perfected the art of hand filing.
Let me get my mitts on a chain and after a few "sharpenings", I can get the saw to cut circles real easy.

 

I like to hand file bought a grinder never used it sold it on ebay try one of these papadave you can get them at TSC

 

I know this has been beat to death but can anyone recommend a grinder that is currently available? I want to sharpen my chains off the saw in a batch. I was about to order this but then it went out of stock.

 

Whoops, I forgot the link in my previous post. I was going order the timber tuff or one of the other clones until I found this:
http://www.russopower.com/products/carlton-chain-saw-grinder-sharpener-78-120v-47998/
Now I'm having a hard time paying 150 for something Chinese when Italian made grinders are a few bucks more. I always seem to end up starting to buy something inexpensive but wind up buying something for 3 times as much. You know how it goes...

 

I have a sharpener as well as files and file guides.

Advantages of grinder:
- If you use it correctly, you can just kiss the edges and remove only slightly more material than a thorough filing
- It's about the same time as filing, but I get a sharper finish on average
- Does not wear me out like filing multiple chains at once. With the grinder I can seat myself in front of it and remain comfortable. Filing tends to leave me stooped over the saw and cutting is enough for my back as-is.
- Keeps teeth consistent
- Easy to take off more material when you hit something "bad"

Advantages of filing:
- Easy to do in field
- Inexpensive
- Can generate a sharp edge but it takes skill
- Can make a chain last longer, assuming you never take it to a "sharpening shop" that takes off a lot of material
- Not as messy as grinder

I've been cutting big logs next to my shop. Having two chains and a grinder is super convenient as I just switch chains every fill up or two and sharpen them on the grinder after my cutting session.

 

Here's the avaliable oregon grinders. This is out of my oregon book.

 

Hey by hand is the best way. Although u get more accurate ccuts using a machine. Tends to cut too much shortening lifetime of chain using electric. U also cant coun t number of passes w electric. I enjoy doi g by hand too man

 

I'm considering getting the hydraulic oregon. I can get it for 365 delivered. Does anyone have any opinions on it?

 

Not exactly sure where the "timberline" sharpener fits as its a pseudo guide and machine that's not electric. For someone who likes to "grind" in the field it works real good. Once you "accept" the set up it becomes very intuitive and can un-rock a chain as good as a grinder.