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

Tell me about your chain grinder .

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Nixon, Feb 2, 2014.

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  1. Nixon

    Nixon

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    What brand ? What do you like about it ? What do you not like about it? What would you improve on it?
    Do you have a type of wheel you prefer ,or don't care for ?
    A lot of questions , I know ,but I'm in the market for a decent grinder. I don't want to buy one and find out that there is something about it that makes it a bad choice for me. I don't mind spending the bucks for something that's well made and works as advertised . I really hate spending money to find I've bought something that is not up to scratch .
    Thanks in advance . And, PIX would be really great! :)
    All the best, John
     
    Nixon, Feb 2, 2014
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  2. HoneyFuzz

    HoneyFuzz

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    Never needed one ! Is it ok to brag about that ? :)
     
    HoneyFuzz, Feb 2, 2014
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  3. Nixon

    Nixon

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    Sure ! Brag away ! I don't either , but need and want are separate issues .:whistle:
     
    Nixon, Feb 2, 2014
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  4. HoneyFuzz

    HoneyFuzz

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    Well thats a whole different issue then !! hahaha Id love to have one too btw :)
     
    HoneyFuzz, Feb 2, 2014
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  5. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Hands down the best investment I have made and Dex too. I honestly am in love with it and at this point don't really have any complaints aside from the safety shield was a little off but that was an easy fix. I have lost count of the chains I have sharpened at this point but its close to 5 a night right now and for a while I was up to 10… It fires and runs great every time.

    http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...-wall-mount-electric-chainsaw-chain-sharpener
     
    Pallet Pete, Feb 2, 2014
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  6. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I'm running a Stihl USG grinder with the foot pedal attachment for the chain vise. So far I am VERY pleased with it. Foot pedal is the most reliable and fastest way to actuate the chain clamp I have found yet. It's also worth mentioning that the wheels Stihl ships with it are fantastic. I still want to try a vented CBN type wheel but for real stones, these wheels are the best I have ever used. You don't have to dress them constantly to keep them cutting well and prevent bluing a cutter. They also take a large cut off a rocked chain easily compared to the pink stones I have used in the past.

    I also like that the USG gives me the option to do hedge trimmer blades and circ saw blades. Would even do square chisel chain if I could find the attachment for it. (Now discontinued)
     
    MasterMech, Feb 2, 2014
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  7. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    As Pete mentioned, the Timber Tuff is what I have. I like it... A lot. For $100, it's hard to beat. It's based off the Oregon 511.
     
    DexterDay, Feb 2, 2014
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  8. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    I will say I think it has a smaller motor than the Oregon too. It doesn't make any difference from what I can tell.
     
    Pallet Pete, Feb 2, 2014
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  9. Nixon

    Nixon

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    That's the one I've been kind of favoring . But just want opinions on other machines to make sure I don't over look any .
    CBN wheels might be hard to find for the USG as it uses a wheel with a 12mm arbor hole (15/32 ) . Most others use a 7/8 arbor . So, it's good to know the wheels are excellent. If I go that way, what comes with it in the way of accessories?
    The foot pedal sounds like it is worth looking into.
    Does it have provisions for the 10* tilt angle some chains specify?
     
    Nixon, Feb 2, 2014
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  10. Gardening/Arborist

    Gardening/Arborist

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    I have a Stihl USG and also have the square grind attachment. Most of my sharpening is done with hand files in the field including square ground. I've got a pair of 3x Jewelers glasses that make a chain tooth look a couple of inches long and make a huge difference, IMO. Scan the web for great photos of what sharp chains look like for a goal.

    Great site you've got here. I found you looking for the Woodstock Ideal Steel and after reading each new member got one free on sign up, I signed up! :)
     
    Gardening/Arborist, Feb 2, 2014
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  11. Gary_602z

    Gary_602z

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    That is why everybody signed up here!:)
    Hang around I think you will like it here!

    Gary
     
    Gary_602z, Feb 2, 2014
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  12. HoneyFuzz

    HoneyFuzz

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    Great place to be !!
     
    HoneyFuzz, Feb 2, 2014
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  13. bogydave

    bogydave

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    I had a chain grinder.
    Fired him when I got back 5 chains with black&blue overheated cutter tips.
    Now I hand file :)
     
    bogydave, Feb 2, 2014
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  14. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    The pedal is def worth getting and yes, it will do the 10deg angle. It does that by sliding the vise in/out so that the chain remains vertical and rolls around the vise like normal. I really should vid that thing. Just not a lot of time for videos lately. :(

    Also, making up a spacer ring to adapt the 7/8" arbor to a 12mm spindle is no biggie.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2014
    MasterMech, Feb 3, 2014
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  15. chris

    chris

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    Using a pair of 511ax units, reason for a pair is I am not constantly swinging the vise back and forth for the left and right cutters. Grinding dust gets down in there and wears out the detents. Oregon wheels are good but pricy Firestorm are all most the same as oregon but a bit less cost wise, MoleMab pink wheels are too hard easly burn cutters, Resinoid wheels ( brown) are quite soft so require frequent dressing about 1/2 cost of the orgeons, don't burn cutters even with a heavy bite, depending on who is supplying them though qc is a bit iffy - arbors dia. ok but wheels out of round. or arbor off center not sure which. The drive motor on the Oregon unit is much larger than most of the others. i also have a Silvey nice unit but no longer in business. I do hundreds of chains a year. I do not like the auto clamp feature on some units, foot peddle is ok, personally I like the hand tighten function .
     
    chris, Feb 3, 2014
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  16. Nixon

    Nixon

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    Master Mech.... Do the video ! :)
    Chris , is that a 510 ? I talked to the folks at Silvey a few days ago . While they don't sell the grinders , you can still get parts through them . Of course if you need to find a home for that , I'd be willing to make the sacrifice .:)
    Thanks for a very informative post !
    John
    EDIT :
    Found a source of CBN wheels with the 12mm arbor . Diamond wheel out of Minnesota .
    $ 102 - 105 depending on if it's a 1/8th or 3/16th wheel .
    Makes the USG even more tempting .
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2014
    Nixon, Feb 3, 2014
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  17. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Ok, I'll make the USG vid, even if it's a quick one, happen this week. ;)
     
    MasterMech, Feb 3, 2014
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  18. Certified106

    Certified106

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    looking forward to it!
     
    Certified106, Feb 3, 2014
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  19. chris

    chris

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    Oregon 510 is simpler model, 511ax has all the bells and whistles adjustment wise. Vise is adj.: fore and aft to wheel centered as it gets used up, tilts to keep wheel off tie strap, head ang.adj left or right vise swivel adj left and right, single direction motor ( osha) light in head. translucent guard for wheel The newer vise on these is very nice and the parts are replaceable individually. Maybe was that Silvey just stopped making the square unit. Mine is a 3xx unit, no clamping vise you just have to pull chain tight to index finger.
     
    chris, Feb 3, 2014
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  20. Nixon

    Nixon

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    Ordered the USG with the foot operated vice thingie . Also ordered the CBN wheels . The grinder should be in by the end of the week ,the wheels a bit longer
     
    Nixon, Feb 3, 2014
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