This Timberline sharpner any good?

Just saw this in a Baileys advertisement... this thing looks kinda cool, but how does it work?

 

It works great. I've been using one for several years now and have found nothing that gets a chain any sharper. But then there are those that are artists with a file that may do better.

If you're new to the sharpner it is easier to get the hang of it on a new chain, that is a chain that has not seen a grinder or file yet. If you start with a chain that has a couple of grinder or file sharpenings on it you will have to go at it about 4 times in one sitting before it 'settles in' to the slightly different way of sharpening.

If you really ding a chain by hitting a hidden object in the log or bounce off a rock you will probably want to have it ground first then hit it a few licks with the Timberline.

Wear gloves because I'm not kidding, this thing makes one sharp chain. And gloves will protect your fingers from those pesky metal shavings created by sharpening.

Some folks use a tiny drop of oil on each cutter as they sharpen. I've done that too and it seems to cut smoother, however, it tends to get a bit messy on a longer bar and chain as well as increasing clean up time.

 

Looks tedious and time consuming to set up. The carbides aren't cheap either.

 

It takes about a minute or less to set it up. The first couple of times may take you longer. Like anything else, you gotta get used to it.

The carbide cutters last a long time, especially if you treay them correctly, and a bit longer if you use oil when you sharpen. After 3 years of use I replaced my Stilh cutter. I don't use my Husky much so I'm still on the first cutter.

Everyone has their favorite. I suck with a file and I don't have a shop, just the laundry room and the top of the washer so it's perfect for me. It's just as quick for me in the field. I hold the saw in a stump vice and have it super sharp in nothing flat.

Like I said, a file artist may do better but no grinder can touch it.

 

I was considering buying one but didn't in the end because of the proprietary carbides. If it used something off the shelf I probably would have.

 

I bought a few extra cutters because of that. They last for a long time if you treat them nicely, and should last the average firewood cutter for a couple years.

I haven't used it since I got a bench grinder. Machria, if you want to take it for a test drive we can work something out.

 

Ralphie Boy hit the nail on the head.
If you need a sharp chain, and filing isnt your thing, this will alleviate your problems.
I have one, it works great, although I dont use it much ..................... everything I run is usually square filed

 

Are you looking to off it (aka sell it cheap! ) or just let me try it? Either way that's an awfully nice offer!

Square,,,, well, I just got a new 18" bar which came with an Oregon chain he called "Full Chisel and Full Skip". I know what full skip is now, but doesn't this look like a square filed chain?? Whatever it is, MAN does it cut nicely!! I just ran (and recorded video of) a few slices with this bar and chain on my 362 which was just sent out to get MM'd! Will re-do same test on same piece of wood when I get it back to see how she does.

 

I'm with Ralphie Boy, it's a goodun. I'm pretty good hand filing after 30 years or so of it, but by the time my chains were pretty worn, they would cut with a slight curl to one side due to uneven filing. The Timberline takes care of this as well as rock dings for me. It get's things evened out real nice and makes filing fun. A good bench vice to clamp the bar and saw into really helps also.

 

No, it does NOT look like square filed chain to me...

 

Full skip full chisel round ground chain can be made to cut very well, but it will dull fast if youre cutting driftwood.
Here is what a good square cutter looks like

 

Here's some dull square

 

Either way. If you want to try it I'll send it out. If you decide you want it, we can figure that out. If you don't like it, send it back. I'm pretty easy that way.

 

I'm sure the timberline does a good job but a Granberg bar mount sharper does a good job for 1/3 the cost.

 

I am a fan of the Granberg offerings, and the"jig" style sharpeners in general, but that's all I've really used. If you're on a budget, results like these are hard to beat IMO.

 

X2 on the Granberg, I recently bought one and it does a really nice job

 

I'm a fan of the Timberline too. I usually hand file 2-3 times then true everything up with it. I also found that when you get farther back on a tooth (@ least in my experience), you will need to switch to a smaller cutter. The jig will not allow you to lower the cutter far enough to get the proper hook with the 13/64 for Stihl RS.
I got "pretty good" @ hand filing but found my cuts getting a little crooked. After buyin the TL and making every tooth the exact same length, my saws cut perfectly straight.

Carbides are $20 but do last as stated. I roached one early in my use due to trying to clean up a rocked chain. I learned quickly to hand file any cutters that are damaged or have any burr. Really helps take care of those cutters.

 

jeff_t I'll PM you.... thanks!! The generosity on here is amazing, you guys are great. Comes at a good time, I could use a break of some sort as I've had a rough couple of months.

GREAT info, thanks guys!! I should add to all this, currently I use a dremel with the diamond type cutters found on Amazon in packs of 4. The dremel works fine for me, but you are kind of "free-handing" it like hand filing using the angle lines on the guide plate. But there is nothing holding it in place or stopping you from getting off on your angles... And it's real easy of course to take ALOT off with a diamond cutter spinning 3500 rpm! Lastly you need power for it, so use I in the woods is out.

When I get home tonight, I have to take close up pictures of a few of my chains, 1 in particular is the chain that came with my Stihl 20" bar(on my 362). It is the worst cutting chain I have for some reason, no matter what I d to it. I'm wondering if it's because it is the "safety chain", OR if it is because I'm doing something wrong sharpening it?? For some reason, that chain and bar combo seems to get hot (as if it weren't oiled correctly), and cuts terrible. I've tried turning up the oiler, and cleaning out the hole where the oil enters the bar(blew it out with compressed air).

That Oregon chain above on the Tsunami bar cuts amazing! Of course it is brand new, but still, it seems to take a nice bite out, with big chunky cuttings coming out of it.