Harbor Freight chain grinder

Any pros..cons?..can be had for bout $30..the reviews on the site seem to be pretty positve...

 

I have a HF 511 knock off......three years, and it still grinds chain.

 

You want one, you can have it for cost of shipping

 

The new red ones aren't good. Mine busted in less than a year.

 

I have one and had it for like 2 years. I can grind them better than I hand sharpen. Its worth every penny

 

If im not mistaken doesnt @Pallet Pete use a HF grinder?

 

I use mine for rocked chains only... or for a friend who completely destroys a chain before sharpening. For $30 its not terrible, I just prefer hand filing with a cold one or two.

 

I switched to the Northern tool grinder. Very nice upgrade and I don't miss the extra $30 in my pocket when I use it.

 

I've been using a HF grinder for about 6 years now. I don't hand file and bought the grinder with the theory that if I even can skip 5 pro sharpenings that it will pay for itself. I have two 3/8"- 20" chains for my Stihl, both stihl chains, one skip and one full comp, and those two chains have lasted me the whole 6 years at about 6 cords per year. I say this because if you're good with a grinder you don't need to take a lot of metal off to get it sharp.

I didn't even know that they made different wheels for different chain sizes. I've never contoured the stone either, just touch the tooth until it's sharp. In fact, I turn the chain sideways and use the grinder to knock down the rakers.

So now I've not only saved money on all those pro sharpenings but I've also saved lots of money on chain because the saw shop liked to take a lot of metal off with each sharpening.

 

I bought the right wheel on ebay for 3/8 chain. I use to use the low pro 3/8 / 325 wheel for all of them since switching I get a better chain sharpening.

 

Can someone link to the northern unit that is the same as the timber stuff one @DexterDay and @Pallet Pete have

 

I did not care for mine. My results were variable from side to side. Sold it while it was still "like new" on ebay for slightly more than I paid for it!!!

 

I am getting a variation from side to side. I have to reset the amount it takes off from left to right?

I also am cutting a slight circle and am not sure if its my worn bar or my grinder. But thinking its my bar as the other saw dosent cut a circle with chain sharpened on the grinder.

 

I paid I think $150 for my Timber Tough.

It WAS working fine till last night and the hinge pin came out while I was grinding a chain. I got it back together, apparently I was swearing louder than I thought since my neighbor 3 houses over came by to see what was going on.

 

Y'all have neighbors in alaska? Or how far was he away?

 

I had a harbor frieght never used it sold it on ebay I like to hand file.I really like these made by husky/jonsered gotem at tractor supply.I need to start learning how to squarefile thanks to the awesome info thats on our site.

 

This is the same as the Timber tuff, it is the one I have, paid a hundred for it
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200327449_200327449

 

I looked at that model. Had to call Northern Hydraulics to get a shipping price and it was going to be $38 for parcel post, 2-4 weeks. I got the lime green version off Amazon. Free shipping and it got here in 2 days.

http://www.amazon.com/Timber-Tuff-CS-BWM-Benchtop-Sharpener/dp/B001MWS9VW