Getting started in chain grinding

So after dreaming of a grinder for a long while now, I've been informed that the fat man in a red suit is gonna bring me one.

It's an Oregon 520. I watched some vids on pootube on setup and basic grinding techniques. They were vids from oregon.

As bad as I want cbn wheels, I can't swing it currently, so I'm stuck with the pink wheels for now.

I'll be sharpening .043 picco, .050, and .063 for the mill. All round, and mostly stihl chains.

What tips and tricks can you folks offer a noob besides tap tap tap?

How often to dress wheels?

I'll probably do rakers with a dremel or file, while on the grinder unless there's a reason I shouldnt?

I see many use a stand instead of bench mount. Why? Closer to the eye for visibility? I don't weld, so a stand is out.

I'm sure I'll have many more questions once it shows up, so for now....bring on the info!

Thanks guys.

 

I don't have much to add that you didn't probably already pick up from the Oregon vids. I have mine mounted on my bench at waist high. Puts it at eye level when I squat my fat arse on a 5 gal. Bucket.

 

Agreed. However your going to grind stand/sit ,,, mount it chest height. X2 on the vids also ,, all the info you need.
I have a nail on each side of grinder . Left side I put loops with the cutters all in the right direction ready to put on grinder . Right side is finished loops. Saves some fumbling around time when your in grind mode.
Some radio ear muffs to cut the monotony.

 

Before you start grinding a chain take a Sharpie marker and color a tooth so you can see what your removing.

 

Get you a cbn wheel!

Super Abrasive CBN 5-3/4” Chainsaw Wheels for 3/8, & .404 pitch Steel Chains | eBay

No more messing with dressing and profiles, and you can really hog material out if you need to. Best $100 I've ever spent. Just make sure you get the ones for your size of chain you will be sharpening.

 

Try to grind reasonably cleaned chains . The buildup of oil and dirt into the pores of grinding wheels can cause the wheel to be very much less efficient and cause a LOT of heat . If the build up isn’t too bad , a rubber eraser will remove a lot of it .

 

All good stuff! Another reason I love this fourm!

 

Maybe you could consider wall mounting it. Most of my chains don't touch the floor, doesn't take up bench space, keeps grit off the bench, easy to mount at YOUR perfect height, less chance of getting damaged.
Also the ABN vented wheel is killer, no need to peck at it. I've been meaning to cut vents in the CBN wheel that's hanging on the wall.

 

I have my grinders mounted on my bench. Agree on the sharpening cleaner chains...I would also start with the link wheels to get the hang of things and then go to cbn later.

 

The older I get the more I think about one of these.

 

That's gonna happen. I have one on my reloading bench I can use. Great idea.

 

OK,

The #'s in the first sentence are the gauge of the chain. That is the width of the drivers that correspond to your chains saw bar.

The wheel to use is contingent on what style the size of the cutter.

3/16" wheel is for 3/8ths and .404 chain

1/8" wheel is for .325

Get a progressive depth gauge and pay particular attention to raker depth, do not get too aggressive.

 

I keep my grinder between chest and shoulder height (I stand when I grind). Go slow and pay attention to what you are removing, share your work and enjoy some constructive feedback. Not all guys do it the same, I think sometimes we make work chain more complex than what it needs to be... Just my .02.

Some folks like to grind depth gauges with a grinder and flat profile wheel. I like using a vice (or on saw) with a progressive depth gauge tool.

 

Fat man didn't lie. Here she is.

I promptly set it up. Set to 30* angle, 60* tilt, and cleaned up a rocked out 14" stihl picco for my 192.

So how'd I do?

How in the hell do y'all get good pics of cutters?

 

It’s tricky to get pics! Hard to tell on the cutter. She feel sharp??

 

Hard to tell from the pic - coloring the whole tooth with a red-sharpie (or whatever color you prefer) and then grinding works for me ... this way will reveal if you are set-up right plus enable you to know when you’ve worked your way around the chain ... Merry Christmas to all !!!

 

Yes. Feels very sharp. Definitely got all the cutter....it's all shiny. And not blue

Guess I'm gonna go cut cookies from some splits since I'm logless here in the city. Think the neighbors would miss their poplar tree?

 

Only one way to find out...

 

I've got one mounted to.my grinder bench!! Love it!!