Chainsaw - Sharpening Chains

[LD1]

From what I have heard, it is an "ok" set-up for a homeowner. It pretty much works as advertised. But the given design of the chain, it dont cut as fast as a standard chisel chain. AND it is more expensive, AND it dont last as long. Thats why the big-boys dont use it.

But if you have a saw that you just use aaround the yard to clean up an occasional limb, it is a good product and quick and easy for a homeowner to use vs taking the saw or chain somewhere to get it sharpened.

 

[radioman]

With all these opinions, doesn't anyone else use the Dremel sharpening tool? I like it because it's quick and I don't have to take the chain off the saw. I used to hand sharpen, but the Dremel is so much faster and more accurate, and costs so little if you already have the Dremel tool, I don't see a reason to do it by hand.

I do -- but I use the version of one. it works good for me, but after a few sharpening, I might have to regrind back to correct angle.

 

[bironacad]

I used to sharpen saws with a file and have files, angle gauges etc, but with old age comes not necessarily laziness but a will to do it easier. TRIFOCAL glasses dont necessarily contribute to good saw filing either. I can remove the chain, put it on the little sharpener and grind every tooth in less than 10 minutes on an 18" bar. It takes me at least that long to do with a file sometimes longer depending on how many cramps I get in my hands. Using a file to sharpen a saw is indicative to using a mule to plow with, or slide rule rather than a calculator. It's OK if you're into that sort of thing but I prefer the new ways rather than the old way when it is as cheap to do as the HF sharpener and it does an adequate job for me. Maybe some folks can make them cut better than new but I never could and the electric sharpener gets every tooth perfect on angle and length everytime, it super easy to use too.

My cousin and I bought one and love it! I am a tri focal guy as well, lol. They come on sale every so often at Princess Auto, ours was reg $189 we got it for $100. We have about 8 chains between us and can get er done, if we have to, I guess lol.

 

[Scooby074]

My cousin and I bought one and love it! I am a tri focal guy as well, lol. They come on sale every so often at Princess Auto, ours was reg $189 we got it for $100. We have about 8 chains between us and can get er done, if we have to, I guess lol.

I got mine on sale at PA too. :thumbsup: Its a handy tool. Well made also.

 

[rbstern]

With all these opinions, doesn't anyone else use the Dremel sharpening tool? I like it because it's quick and I don't have to take the chain off the saw. I used to hand sharpen, but the Dremel is so much faster and more accurate, and costs so little if you already have the Dremel tool, I don't see a reason to do it by hand.

That's what I use. Had an old Craftsman branded single speed rotary tool with the same collar thread as the Dremel. The $13 Dremel kit with the guide works perfectly with it. Takes just a couple of minutes to nicely sharpen a chain, and I like being able to leave the chain on the saw. Great little kit, simple to use.

 

[Piperflyer]

That's what I use. Had an old Craftsman branded single speed rotary tool with the same collar thread as the Dremel. The $13 Dremel kit with the guide works perfectly with it. Takes just a couple of minutes to nicely sharpen a chain, and I like being able to leave the chain on the saw. Great little kit, simple to use.

Used the Dremel for the last 12yrs. and it works great. Simple and effective

 

[SuperCobra]

I'm confused about some of the posts where people talk about using both round hand files and bench models. Can you go back and forth between a round hand file and a bench top sharpener on a round ground chain? I thought the bench grinders put a flat grind on the tooth? At least that has been my experience when I turn them in for sharpening: turn in a round ground chain and it comes back flat ground. Do the grinders use the side of the disk or the edge? I see some grinders advertise they work on all sizes of chain? If it is round ground how do they accomplish that unless you are swapping out to thicker or thinner disks? Also, do the bench grinders work for lower the rakers and if so can you do it during the same set-up pass or do you have to readjusts the grinder and run around again? Just curious, I've had good results with a dremel and/or hand file but I'm also wondering what I'm missing out on.

 

[muddstopper]

I cant talk about the rounded chains, I dont use them. As to the hand files. A chainsaw file is made in a specific dia for the size chain it is meant to file. Different size chains require different size files. Someone early in this thread mentioned using a rattail file to sharpen their chain. A rattail file is tapered in shape and isnt meant to be used for sharpening a saw chain. A chainsaw file will retain its shape (ie, Dia) for the full lenght of the file and wont be tapered.

Bench grinders also use specific grinding disk for the size chain they are to sharpen. This hasnt been a real problem for me since I dont grind the large 3/4 chains. My grinder does sharpen on the side of the disc and except for grinding angle, I dont think there is any difference in the way a round chain is ground versus a square tooth or chisel tooth chain is ground. Again, I dont use a round chain so I cant be sure.

As for grinding the rakes on the chain, My cheap grinder isnt made for that, but I have been experimenting doing so on some worn out chains. I set the grinding disc on zero angle and the depth gauge to just taking a little off the top. Not the best results. I have also tried to cut just a little off the backside of the rake, (the side facing the cutter), which also lowers the overall height, but I aint satisfied with that method either. For me a flat file and gauge works best.

 

[dstig1]

What mudstopper said +1

Keep in mind most people only have 1 or 2 chainsaws at the most, and if you are smart about it (and it makes sense for your needs), they both have the same pitch/thickness chains so you only have one sharpening setup. So worst case you only need 1 or 2 different grinding wheels and sets of files. .325 and 3/8" are the most common pitches people will run into...

 

[JimRB]

Do people have something against progressive lenses? I use dime store glasses or my fancier progressives. It would seem that with progressives you can see the dull teeth you are looking at and the sharp result from hand filing. I am happy with the hand filing using a rudimentary Oregon file holder and their raker guide. I did supplement it using some calipers just to get length correct on a new to me saw that looked like someone was cutting dirt with the saw. I am trying to contribute to the TBN tangent thread theme.