After years of hand filing, went and bought myself an Oregon chain grinder

[5030]

I do not think a perfectly consistent grind makes much of a difference, I can use a brand new chain and it doesn't cut any better. With the 4n1 tool it is pretty easy to get the angle right. Also the grinders take off a excessive amount of material and you end up not getting as much life out of the chain. Also you have to remove the chain from the saw.

As a matter of maintenance, I remove the loop from the bar often and clean the sawdust out of the channel along with the excess bar oil. Inconsequential as far as I'm concerned and tooth material removal is entirely dependent on how you set the grinder. I just sharpened 4 pole saw loops and I removed very little tooth, just enough to clean up the cutting edge. One thing I did do was I altered the attack angle of the teeth to compensate for the reduced power the pole saw has and I did not cut the rakers either. One thing about a grinder no matter what brand it is, it allows you to custom grind for a particular use.

A consistent grind will always allow the kerf to remain parallel to the log cut with no drift.

Just because it's a new chain don't mean squat.

 

[5030]

I recently got the Tecomec version of the same thing....still working to dial it in, but I got used to sharpening that way in a previous life, and in general, think these things are worth having.

Think I stated it but Tecomec makes all the Oregon grinders. Like I said, fit and finish is first class. Takes a bit of a learning curve, I started with a disposa loop to polish my technique.

For basically 210 bucks, they are worth it, IMO.

 

[5030]

Now, before I put on a new loop, I run it through the Oregon to check the angle and touch up any buggered teeth. Just because it's a new loop don't mean it's perfect.

Like I maintain, the difference in chainsaws and how they cut is all in the saw chain. You can have a hot rod saw with a dull chain that isn't worth squat.

 

[2manyrocks]

Not even a month since you started this thread and the price is now $229.97.

 

[5030]

Not even a month since you started this thread and the price is now $229.97.

I just checked Amazon a minute ago. Inflation....lol No, 210, not 229.

 

[2manyrocks]

https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-410-120-Bench-Mounted-Grinder/dp/B00Y0S88Y8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1O2IG7CTUPYYI&keywords=oregon+chainsaw+sharpener&qid=1680872460&sprefix=oregon+chaina%2Caps%2C1026&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/Tecomec-Compact-Grinder-120V/dp/B00T36XDAQ

Both showing $229 for me.

 

[Rockbadchild]

The chain grinder is all about consistency, consistency that hand filing cannot ever produce. With each and every tooth exactly the same sharpened length and tooth angle consistent, cutting will be straight and true. It's all about consistency that by hand filing cannot obtain. Besides, I like to keep all my loops sharp. Less effort expended on my part when cutting. Need to start buying saw chain in bulk and buy a spinner, riveter at some point.

Most people can't obtained... there is people out there that don't need it and can obtain and maintain accuracy and consistency, I know I am not one of them yet but I am working on it, but my old man he is one of them you couldn't convince him to use that grinder even if you pay him too waste of time he would say, you should see him go at it but I agree even him could have length discrepancy across the chain as it age but I dont think it matter as long as the rakers reflect that gap... the only time I would like a chain grinder is when I hit something. My uncle has one, I could bring it to him but never do ... My dad was a lumberjack in the late 70s - early 80s so he was cutting trees with a chainsaw, all day every day, you learn very quickly and become very efficient at it and it is possible to reach perfection... But I agree most people don't obtain that level of skills.

 

[5030]

Like I said... Inflation...lol You can always spring for the hydraulic clamping one for 400 bucks...lol

 

[2manyrocks]

A better investment than the US dollar.

 

[5030]

The UDS today ain't worth the paper it's printed on...