Review of chainsaw sharpener I just bought

[turnkey4099]

I've used a simple Sears and Roebuck clamp on guide for probably 32 years, but the frame finally broke from the stress this summer. I've never been sure I was getting chains as sharp as possible, but always seemed more pleased than the couple of times I paid the hardware store to do it, and occasionally I'll get one I think is as sharp as new.

So, I'm interested in getting a new sharpener, and your thread is very timely. Thanks for sharing your review. I'll check out the Granbergs and Timberlines.

Can I ask where you got your Granberg?

My experience with paying shops to sharpen chains is "I don't do it anymoe". Every one exeept one has ruined the chain by overheating the teeth to the point they can no longer be filed.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I've used a simple Sears and Roebuck clamp on guide for probably 32 years, but the frame finally broke from the stress this summer. I've never been sure I was getting chains as sharp as possible, but always seemed more pleased than the couple of times I paid the hardware store to do it, and occasionally I'll get one I think is as sharp as new.

So, I'm interested in getting a new sharpener, and your thread is very timely. Thanks for sharing your review. I'll check out the Granbergs and Timberlines.

Can I ask where you got your Granberg?

I ordered directly from the manufacturer, Home - Granberg International. I suspect you can get them on Amazon or other sites as well.

 

[TractorGuy]

I just use a Dremel type tool with a chainsaw bit.
It takes a steady hand and the chain stays on the saw.

Same here. I eyeball the rakers and tend to cut them a little low. Makes the chain cut more aggressive than new.

 

[4570Man]

I've got a Timberline sharpener. I can get a chain as sharp as new. I prefer to bring more chains if I feel they'll be needed, but there's no reason why it couldn't be used in the field. It takes me about 15 minutes +- to sharpen my 20" bar depending on how bad the chain is. The co-op sharps chains but they do a worse than terrible job. There's another guy that sharpens them and he also does a terrible job. There's a 3rd guy whose sole business is sharpening. I've never used him but his price was uneconomical IMO.

 

[beowulf]

Sometimes you buy something and you are happy. Sometimes you buy something and you are not happy. I am happy I bought the Granberg 12 volt unit. It sharpens beautifully and with my bucket of used but never before sharpened chains I will never be buying another chain for my chainsaw.

 

[mbergeon]

Do you find the eze-lap stones are superior to the ones supplied by Granberg?

Yes- the eze-lap are high quality diamond burrs

 

[CADplans]

I ordered directly from the manufacturer, Home - Granberg International. I suspect you can get them on Amazon or other sites as well.

Those Granberg's (5 of them) look like glorified Dremel tools,, is that what you are recommending?
I doubt that I could hold the angle correctly, except for one of the 5,,,

Which one do you use?

 

[turnkey4099]

I've got a Timberline sharpener. I can get a chain as sharp as new. I prefer to bring more chains if I feel they'll be needed, but there's no reason why it couldn't be used in the field. It takes me about 15 minutes +- to sharpen my 20" bar depending on how bad the chain is. The co-op sharps chains but they do a worse than terrible job. There's another guy that sharpens them and he also does a terrible job. There's a 3rd guy whose sole business is sharpening. I've never used him but his price was uneconomical IMO.

I had bad experiences until last year with every place I took chains to be sharpened. Everyone except the last one overheated the teeth so they could never be hand filed again. Prices ranged from $4 (reasonable) to $12 (fugggetaboutit)

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I take in a few chains to sharpen, every once in a while... As far as I'm concerned, it's easy money!

Quality of the finished chain, is only as good as the guy running the sharpener!

SR

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My experience with paying shops to sharpen chains is "I don't do it anymoe". Every one exeept one has ruined the chain by overheating the teeth to the point they can no longer be filed.

I take in a few chains to sharpen, every once in a while... As far as I'm concerned, it's easy money!

Quality of the finished chain, is only as good as the guy running the sharpener!

SR

Half of chainsaw sharpening is having a good wheel. CBN or Borazon is best for hard metal but pricey. Having a "loaded up" dull, stone wheel is detrimental to a good sharpening job. Many shops have their cheapest guy doing the sharpening...I was that guy many, many, moons ago. I know better now.