5030
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 24,646
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
I actually have 2 and the Oregon grinder has some disadvantages, well one glaring disadvantage and that is the depth stop on it is poorly designed and it's very hard to consistently set the grind depth which is an issue because you don't want to grind into the connecting links on the loop. That is frustrating especially when you are grinding multiple loops like I do. I want to set the grind depth and have it remain consistent over a number of loops (so long as they are all the same gage, example, all 404 or 325).
I went and purchased another one a much less expensive one actually, a Vevor bench mount grinder on Amazon (99 bucks delivered) with consternation because it's a Chinese clone copy of the Oregon, which in reality is a Tecomec, made in Italy. All the oregon grinders with the exception of the automated chain grinder (very expensive) are Tecomec.
Boy was I surprised with the Vevor. It's an exact copy of the Oregon with 2 exceptions, one, it's bench mount only whereas the Oregon can be wall mounted, no big deal for me as both are mounted to a 2x4 which I 'C' clamp to my welding table and 2, The Vevor depth of grind stop is light years better that the Oregon, very positive and secure so I use the Vevor to grind my loops and the Oregon to grind my raker height (if necessary) and both run CBN wheels.
Finally, the chain vise on the Vevor is more substantial than the Oregon and it's marked in degrees of offset when compound grinding. The Oregon isn't. Well worth 99 bucks. Glad I bought it. Only drawback i see is the wheel shield on the Vevor is a PITA to remove and re-install but I don't use a shield on either because the CBN wheels are precision balanced (unlike the stone wheels) and the CBN wheels will never explode (like the stone wheels can). I leave the safety guards off entirely.
