Need advice from the chain sharpeners…

You high time commercial guys know what you're doing from experience sharpening chains. Is the $$$ and time worth it to get into sharpening my own chains with an elec grinder sharpener?

 

I started using a crappy Chicago Electric sharpener from Harbor freight. Had to order a 3/16 wheel from Oregon for my chains but it definitely works and puts a super edge on the teeth. You have to set the grinder up on a stable bench that's well lit and really get close and fine tune the adjustments for a gentle clean pass on the saw teeth. Clean the chains in simple green and dry well. I did a few of my neighbors chains and he is very pleased. I am definitely investing in a better model once I feel confident.

 

Thanks Pete. One skill I've learned, that is most important when I'm doing projects… and, that's when it's time to get someone more skilled than I am. My dam eyes are failing fast and it's a new thing for me. I've been able to focus on stuff clearly at close range, all my life. No more, even with glasses. All of the posts and vids here have shown that a good eye is as important as all else. If you want my sharpening biz, let me know. I'd wait until I had 10 to sharpen at a time. I think I can pass on getting yet another machine for the shop.

 

Thanks Mech. When I say "fast", I mean over the last 2-4 years, I've noticed a difference. I wore glasses when I was younger. I'll be 60 next month, so eyesight changing is not a real surprise. Both of my folks had the same issues too.

Looking at this computer screen all the time prolly ain't helpin much… and, oh yeah, I got troubles with the body alright…

 

I run 3 grinders one each for front/back or left/ right cutters ( however you care to call it) and the third unit just for depth gauges. I do a lot of chains ( commercial ) so constanty swinging the vise back and forth wears it out, burned out a few motors, lots of switches, and broken a bunch of return springs over the years.

 

I would highly doubt your statement of cast Iron , cast material, yes. Even the 511ax by Oregon is not cast iron. Perhaps a cast steel light weight alloy.

 

My Oregon 511A is cast aluminum

 

Not having seen a timber unit in person I didn't want to specify a particular material, 511ax is also a alum. alloy of some type.

 

Yes, it is a high zinc content aluminum that is diecast.

 

AKA = POT Metal

 

The Tecomec clones for around $100 aren't too bad with a little tweaking.

I us the Tecomec for rakers and the Oregons 511AX for cutters. (Oregon is made by Tecomec)

 

The grinder on the left may have been sold by Tecomec but it is made in China. It looks like a copy of the Oregon 510? I'm not trying to say it is not as good as the latest Oregon/Tecomec 511AX style one on the right but it is just a little different. What I'm trying to say is that some Tecomec's are almost exactly like the corresponding Oregon except for the color - made in Italy and everything. You can get a Tecomec that is exactly like a Oregon 511AX in every way except it is red with black knobs.

 

Just when I thought I was ahead getting familiar with one grinder. GHC. Now I have to hoard 3 grinders, right, left, rake...thanks.

 

Unless you are doing a very high volume of chains 1 will be just fine. For me it is much faster not to have to reset the vise left right for each chain. This is slow time on chains only 33 of them this week from 18" to 48" bars 325, 375,404's. In total I have 5 grinders altogether. It was a real panic doing 8-10ft loops of Harvester types many years ago. In the lower corner you can just see a typical run of chains to be sharpened. Those look to be 20" Carlton A2 type