BigE_
Platinum Member
I bought one of these on sale a few years back. Got it home and it had bad vibration (stone had a little crack in it). 45 minute drive to take it back. They won't let you turn the thing on in the store, so I brought my DC-AC power inverter to try out the new one. Next one wouldn't even turn on, (and I was really glad I brought that DC-AC inverter).
The 3rd one appeared to work fine, so I brought it home. Set it up with an old chain for practice, made a few test cuts, and the thing wouldn't shut off. Back to the store for the 4th.
All told, I made 4 trips to the store (about $10 in gas each trip). The last time I told them to keep the thing and give me my money back.
Honestly, though, think about it: you have to stop what you are doing, drive back to the shop, take the bar and chain off, sharpen the thing, put the bar and chain back on, lug it back to where you were working, and finally get back to work. Best case scenario is that it takes you 15 minutes, normal case is close to 30, what with the wife hearing you come back and giving you that extra little chore to do.
For $20, I bought a bar clamp with spikes to drive it into a fallen log or stump. This is key to getting a sharp blade (holding the blade stationary). For another $3, I bought a file and holder/guide, and $5 more bought me a depth gauge and flat file.
It now takes me about 5 minutes to sharpen the chain on my 25" blade. Every third sharpening I set the raker depth (something that the HF sharpener can't do, btw). Bonus is that I use up less chain, and it is much faster, and much sharper.
Seriously, it took me maybe 3 times to get the hang of sharpening, but it was well worth the time spent. I've cut and split about 12 cords this year, and it has saved me a lot of time. In addition, I've been cutting the stumps level with the ground, and you have to sharpen your blade every other stump, if not every one. (30"-40" diameter stumps at the base).
Good luck,
-Steve
The 3rd one appeared to work fine, so I brought it home. Set it up with an old chain for practice, made a few test cuts, and the thing wouldn't shut off. Back to the store for the 4th.
All told, I made 4 trips to the store (about $10 in gas each trip). The last time I told them to keep the thing and give me my money back.
Honestly, though, think about it: you have to stop what you are doing, drive back to the shop, take the bar and chain off, sharpen the thing, put the bar and chain back on, lug it back to where you were working, and finally get back to work. Best case scenario is that it takes you 15 minutes, normal case is close to 30, what with the wife hearing you come back and giving you that extra little chore to do.
For $20, I bought a bar clamp with spikes to drive it into a fallen log or stump. This is key to getting a sharp blade (holding the blade stationary). For another $3, I bought a file and holder/guide, and $5 more bought me a depth gauge and flat file.
It now takes me about 5 minutes to sharpen the chain on my 25" blade. Every third sharpening I set the raker depth (something that the HF sharpener can't do, btw). Bonus is that I use up less chain, and it is much faster, and much sharper.
Seriously, it took me maybe 3 times to get the hang of sharpening, but it was well worth the time spent. I've cut and split about 12 cords this year, and it has saved me a lot of time. In addition, I've been cutting the stumps level with the ground, and you have to sharpen your blade every other stump, if not every one. (30"-40" diameter stumps at the base).
Good luck,
-Steve
