Thinking about getting a stump vise to do touch-ups in the field. Would be nice to drag a file once across each tooth when I refuel. Any thoughts? Brand? Price? Where to buy? Or just take extra chains and sharpen at home? Either way I need to sharpen chains.
I am using a stump vise and find it easy to use and very convenient. I paid no attention to brand and just got a generic stump vice for about $5 or $6 . When I want to do a real chain filing with my Granberg guide the stump vise gives me a good base to work from. My stump vise is one of the things in my felling bucket of tools so it is always there when I need it.
It's the only Stihl thing I have lol ! I use mine alot....never had a problem ! Definetly a good investment..no matter which brand you buy
lolll, thanks for that laugh. It wasn't even orange, the one I saw was gold.... maybe gold plated !!!! yea that would explain it......
I have a Stihl branded one. Got it for Christmas one year and carry it in my tool bag along with various files and wrenches. I've yet to use it, I actually had forgotten I had one until this thread. If I have to sharpen in the field, I usually just give it a swipe or two on each cutter. If it needs any more than that, I'll put on another chain and resharpen back at the shop. I've put this on my Christmas list for 2016: it's made by one of our forum members Homelite410
It's like the Stihl FG2. You clamp it in a vise or mount it to your bench. Lay your chain in it (sort of acts as a chainsaw bar), tighten the clamps and start filing away. The rounded end (I'm told) is usefull when square filing. You can use a Granberg type sharpener or a Timberline sharpener on this chainsaw vise. Here's a picture of the Stihl FG2 Here's a video of the Stihl FG2
So I have a Timberline sharpener. I've been looking for a way to sharpen chains with it without being limited to using it on the saw, so that's why I'm interested in something like that Homelite410 vise. However, the Timberline could apply uplift to the chain during sharpening (more to cut off the top of the tooth would lift the tooth). When sharpening on the saw, the tension keeps the chain down where it belongs against the bar. How do you keep the chain down against the vise while sharpening with one of these?
The drive links are sandwiched between two plates (sort of like the rail on the chainsaw bar), the handles tighten up against the drive links to "lock down" the chain. It appears if your using a Timberline, you'd have to loosen each handle and rotate the chain, tighten down, sharpen and do it all over again for each link. For me, I'd rather use the Timberline with the chain on the saw. I'd rather "freehand" file with the Homelite410 vise.
A while back, got a basic stump vise from NT for ~$4, told a bud, he got one, bought another for a spare, another bud bought that from me. (It was fun earlier teaching them how to file chain with Granberg guide. K.I.S.S. and keep it sharp.) $26 for one with stihl label, are you kidding me? Thought so. Character in the smilie should be creamsicle-tinted.
