Timberline Good Buy?

Hello guys, first post here. Is this a good buy for a Timberline Sharpener?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Timberline-...996?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item234f53eab4

 

It seems like a well made product with good reviews. I almost bought one, but ended up not due to the cost of the cutters and I couldn't locate a alternate source for them. Ended up buying a grinder instead.

 

Welcome to FHC @diller 23. I'm not so much into sharpeners as some of the others are, I'm sure a bunch of guys will chime in.

 

Welcome! And there are many many gadgets and doodads you can throw money at, but these two will give you excellent results for far less time and money. And you can get replacement files most anywhere. I like the 2n1 the best (very easy and gives great results quickly) but the huskies work well also. Make sure to get the right size for your chain!
http://m.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/accessories/filing-tools/2in1file/
Or the husky:
http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-531300081-8-Inch-Chain-Filing/dp/B0035AKJN0

 

For me no. I think you will better suited to learn how to just use a file guide and hand file. JMO

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/accessories/filing-tools/fileguide/

 

I'm gonna go against the others here and say it's worth the money. I bought one a couple years back and was skeptical about the product. Well I can tell you it is quicker for me to sharpen with the timberline than just the file. It gives you consistent sharpenings every time and it gets them as sharp if not sharper than new. It was worth it to me and I am a satisfied customer!

 

I have one, if you don't want to learn to file by hand, and need something to get you some sharp chains, then its worth the money. It can teach you what to look for, which could also help you hand file better.

 

Is it worth $100 more than a Granberg File-n-Joint?

 

That looks sharp !!!!!!

 

For me, a Granberg is too expensive now.
I hand file everything I own and would rather spend the money on files.

 

The true way to learn about chains is to hand file chains that cut good.

I started with file plates 40 years ago. They get the file height correct but you n have to watch the top angle.

Then I got Oregon Pro series clamp on file guides (Grandberg?). They were better with the top angle but you had to watch the height of the file.

Then I got a swing arm Silvey square grinder and a Oregon 511A round grinder.

I may use any of these or a bare file.

I run both square and round chains.

Then there is learning to properly set the raker height with a smooth edge file or with a grinder like the Oregon.

 

So do you think the Timberline is that much better than the Granberg or have you used a Granberg?

 

I don't understand either, maybe he meant the Timberline was too expensive.
I looked at the Timberline and by the time I got done buying all the cutters for 3 different size chains it is way too much money
I just ordered a Granberg file n joint ,been looking at them for a long time, the regular file guide for my 3/8 chain is not holding the file in there property anymore so I decided to go and try out the Granberg and I like the idea that it is one Jig for all the different size chains I have and you just use regular chain files
I have a grinder but I don't use it on every chain all the time, so anyway I decided to try out the Granberg, paid 36 bucks for it

 

I think you will like the Granberg. I have one. The Timberline is nice looking but the price is the killer.

 

I think I will like it, I did my homework on it.
There's no doubt the Timberline is a nice tool I have read a lot about it, but like I said the cutters are not cheap and if for some reason they go out of business and you need new cutters you're kind of screwed.
I never sharpened a chainsaw chain before up until a couple of years ago so I am NOT a pro by any means

 

For someone who finds hand filing difficult, the Timberline is an easy way to get a sharp chain

I have used a Granberg, a long time ago, and it was cumbersome to set up, plus when I was out in the woods, it isnt exactely compact like the Timberline is.

They both have their use, they both set up in a minute when you have done it a few times, but the Timberline is much easier to take with you and there is no worries about getting any guide bars or slides tweaked if you plan on lots of cutting away from home.

As far as cutters, the right size broach with a flat ground into it will work if Timberline goes out of business

 

How long do the bits last in a Timberline? Will one bit wear out 2 chains? 3 chains?

ETA: I just priced new bits, didn't realize they where so cheap. $10 for a 4 pack delivered on Amazon.

On second glance, these are aftermarket "diamond" bits with mixed reviews. One reviewer said they don't work in a Timberline.

 

Im on my third chain with one cutter, but I don't take a lot off each time. I just touch up a chain every time I use it. The cutter seem very durable, just don't spin it counter clockwise because it will ruin the cutter! I never counted how many times I sharpened with it though. I feel I have been getting my money out of it. I can sharpen with a file, but I can sharpen with the timberline and every cutter is the exact same.