In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

I'm ready for a chain grinder

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by CtRider, Feb 29, 2024.

  1. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    $50 well spent. I too came across the angle issue with mine and tinkered with it until it passed muster. You're right, once you get into the rhythm it goes quick. I still hand file most of the time, but if I have several chains to do or if I'm dealing with a chain that got rocked hard I'll set up the grinder and have at it.
     
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  2. CtRider

    CtRider

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    Pricey little fellas aren’t they!?!

    Guess I’ll put that on the list when the pink one is worn
     
  3. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I was super stoked to get my grinder, I think you'll love having one. While I did enjoy hand filing with a good tune on the hi-fi, now I'm a little less bummed out if I hit dirt or a rock.
     
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  4. Khntr85

    Khntr85

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    Don’t be afraid to use different angles from the ones Oregon recommends….play around with it, I can make a killer chain on my 520 Oregon or my stihl USG

    Also for me the CBN wheel is the best…I sharpened chains for guys for awhile so it paid for itself….now I only do mine and never regretted gettin the CBN, haveing the same profile at all times helps narrow down any problems you could have!!!
     
  5. KSPlainsman

    KSPlainsman

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    That's the grinder I would've went with too, for 50 bucks. As others have mentioned, look into a CBN wheel. I've also had good luck with the white Tecomec wheels. They're better than the pink, or green IMO, and only a few bucks more, if you don't want to spend CBN money on a wheel. It takes a lot of grinding to wear out a wheel.

    As Wood Wolverine mentioned, a grinder makes hitting rocks, or wire a bit less of a deal.

    Congratulations.
     
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  6. JD Guy

    JD Guy

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    CtRider Congrats on the purchase, you stole that 520! I’ve seen some sites lately that have them priced at $700+. I believe I paid about $380 for mine 2-3 years ago. Enjoy it:thumbs: Sure wish I had a neighbor like that!
     
  7. CtRider

    CtRider

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    He’s a good dude to have around. Check out my wood hoarding adventures - he shows up in things like “guess who called trying to get rid of monster red oak rounds” and “I went up 60’ in a bucket truck and trimmed my own trees” and “well this is dump truck load #5 of logs today”
     
  8. CtRider

    CtRider

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    Really happy with the grind I’ve got going but can’t help but want larger chips. Seems to cut fast and straight - just have smaller chips in hardwood. Seems ok in softwood. My 2in1 sharpforce I’ve hand files with is 35* but the Oregon chart says 55/25/10, I’m setup for 55/35/10 at the moment. Might have to test a 25 or a 30. I’m not sure if using the hand file at 35 has shaped the cutter over factory but 35 definitely matched the closest. I have a a true raker gauge coming and a flat file to make sure I have the takers just right. When I spot checked them they seemed fine to low.
     
  9. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I personally never had long chips/ribbons on oak, either cut live or dead standing. Some species I'll get longer than the width of your hand.
     
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  10. KSPlainsman

    KSPlainsman

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    I grind 55/25/5 on my Tecomecs and may get a half inch, to an inch, curl in locust, but that's about it, length wise. I use raker gauges and always set them to the "soft wood" depth with the Husqvarna ones, or the lowest on the WCS gauges.
     
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  11. HammerheadC4

    HammerheadC4

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    Congrats on the 520
     
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  12. Khntr85

    Khntr85

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    Do you have your chains cuttin as good as your hand filed chains??
     
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  13. CtRider

    CtRider

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    they seem to be. They seem to cut pretty fast. I like the consistent edge on the top of the cutter. Feel like I could be doing it slightly better lower on the tooth so now it's a tinkering exercise.....
     
  14. Khntr85

    Khntr85

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    Yep sounds like you’re doin good!!!

    Did you get a cbn wheel??
     
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  15. CtRider

    CtRider

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    Nah, I'll run the pink oregon one for a bit. $100 on a wheel is not my priority right now. Next hoarder funds will go to a 24" bar and chain for the 572
     
  16. Khntr85

    Khntr85

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    Don’t blame ya I got one just because I used to sharpen the public’s chains so it paid for itself…good luck brother
     
  17. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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  18. Highbeam

    Highbeam

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    You mean my HF grinder for like 30$ isn't good enough?
     
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  19. John D

    John D

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    What bar do you have on the 572
     
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  20. 0rion

    0rion

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    Ok....a situation where I can learn. I use, and have used for years, the harbor freight sharpener. It's $30. It seems to do everything I need it to do but cutting wood for me is nothing more than a hobby and I understand the expensive sharpeners are expensive for a reason but what exactly are the differences?
     
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