Chain saw sharpening advice sought

[ovrszd]

Don't worry about swapping chains. Have an enjoyable afternoon of chain sharpening. Doesn't take that long to swap chains. In the end you will have a large supply of sharp chains that will run you for a very long time with minimal expense!!!!! What's to lose????

 

[sw99]

I use the dremel chain saw kits and they work great!

 

[Rustyiron]

With the Timberline, you can put just your bar in the vice with the chain laying in it, you don't need to mount the motor.

 

[beowulf]

With the Timberline, you can put just your bar in the vice with the chain laying in it, you don't need to mount the motor.

I did not know that - I thought for each chain I would have to disassemble (take brake off etc.), take off one chain, mount another chain, put brake back on, and do that 20 times. If I can just put the bar in the vice and drape the chains over that one by one as I sharpen them, well, that changes things a bit. That would also let me take care of any burs on the drive lugs - and I know there are some of those on a couple of chains- caused by my misuse at times. So, now back to the calculator re Timberline with carbide or one of the other options I was about to pull the trigger on. I will look again at Timberline - and see if it takes care of depth adjustment as well, or if I need a separate gauge and file for that.

BTW - most of you likely already know this but while looking at youtube videos re chainsaw sharpening and maintenance I learned you need to lube the sprocket through a hole in the bar - I did not know that.

Raining here all day today so a good day for me to spend time learning about all this while watching football.

 

[TractorGuy]

I go low tech. I keep sharpening stones in the correct diameter for my chains to fit my dremel. I sharpen on the saw because it's easier to hold and rotate as I sharpen. I mark a link with a sharpie so I know where I started and go around on one side then reposition and go around on the other. Then I make a third round and take a little too much off the rakers. My chains seem to cut more aggressive than when new is why I figure I'm removing too much off the rakers. That and I don't bother with a guide on those. As far as angle goes it's pretty easy to position the stone in the existing curve and just hold the dremel steady. Only takes a touch on each one. If I have several chains to sharpen I will remove the sharp and install the dull and do it all over again.

 

[Tompet]

With the Timberline, you can put just your bar in the vice with the chain laying in it, you don't need to mount the motor.

Yes, the Timberline on saw in use or set up on an old bar clamped in vise w/o powerhead for other chains.

My dad always sharpened his chains by hand no problem. Years ago I wondered why he would buy files by the box, so as others have said, if sharpening by hand pitch the old files. I just was not happy with my hand file skills on a consistent basis and over time I felt a little too much variance was occurring. I had seen grinder sharpened chains where the op would burn them or remove half a tooth in one sharpening, so I didn't want to go that route.
Read about the Timberline about five years ago....a pretty slick device that removes very little material and puts a consistent factory edge on each tooth.

Do wear leather gloves if you get one!

 

[BoylermanCT]

I use the dremel chain saw kits and they work great!

Ditto here on the Dremel. I have a corded high speed tool for use in the garage and a cordless one for when I am in the woods. I buy diamond tip grinding stones to fit the chain. The dremel guide keeps me at the right angle.

Amazon.com : Anytime Tools 3/16" Diamond Chainsaw Sharpener Burr 1/8" Shank, 4 Pack : Cutting Burs : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[beowulf]

OK, Rustyiron and Tompet, looks like I will go with the Timberline. I figure if I get the wife a set of crescent wrenches instead of jewelry for her birthday I will save enough to afford it.

A final question - am I right that I will still need a depth gauge and file to maintain the rakers at the correct height?

 

[Creamer]

Who has tried the Oregon Powersharp system? Thoughts?

 

[tjkubota93]

I have the timberline sharpener it works great.

I tried sharpening my chain with a file and I stink and can't get the hang of it. That irks me pretty bad because I am very skilled at a lot of stuff and pick things up easy.

But the timberline sharpener makes a chain like new. It takes a little learning.