Saw Chain care and sharpening tips?

[LD1]

Fact check. Actually there are electric versions, not just the hand version
12 Volt - Granberg International

Yep.

Everyone I know in the business and amature chainsaw owners as well simply refer to them as a granberg.

Kinda like people calling an adjustable wrench a "crescent" wrench. Well......"crescent" makes more than just adjustable wrenches too.

 

[buickanddeere]

Most people do not carry a mechanical chain sharpener out into the woods.

I carry three spare chains .

 

[David Wayne]

I carry three spare chains .

I just carry three spare saws

 

[2ndhalf]

My uncle made a cool chain saw chain storage container out of a 6" PVC pipe. He cut the pipe long enough to contain his longest chain and drilled about a half inch hole/slot through the top and used a removable dowel to put through the hole/slot he drilled which the chains would hang from down into the PVC. He had a cap on it to keep the weather out. Keeps them from getting tangled or weather from reaching them and rusting them etc. Worked very nicely.

 

[/pine]

A question for Granberg Precision Grinder or the File -N-Joint (with the bar clamp) users...
How does it handle sloppy chains? it seems like just a little (sideways) movement in the chain would change the angle??

 

[David Wayne]

It has an adjustable support on each side of the chain to eliminate that. It will also hold a flat file so you can lower the rakers a known amount by turning the dial that holds file height, each number = .010 inch

 

[FreedomFamilyFarms]

I’ve had pretty good luck with the Dremel chainsaw sharpening attachment. Dremel is cordless so it goes in the woods, can touch up the chain without leaving the bar.

 

[Jw5875]

I have had decent results in the woods with the Stihl 2 n 1 sharpener. Usually give the chain a quick hit during refills.
Does both the tooth and the raker. Later I will use the Oregon pro sharpener for final touch up.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/filing-tools/2in1file/

JW5875

 

[dragoneggs]

I don't sharpen anymore.......much easier to take my chains to local saw shop......for $5........he sharpens them like new......when they are too worn down......he makes me a new one. I always have 3 or 4 sharp chains in the shop. Nothing wrong with easy.

No argument in having a good local sharpener for your chains. I am learning how to best sharpen about every cutting tool I own but the chain is one I definitely have not mastered.

There are folks that will touch up their chains every tank or two of fuel used. That keeps a nice sharp chain in constant use and keeps all the angles correct. Running a chain till it is real dull usually wrecks the chain.

This makes perfect sense. Touching up regularly even though I know it would be best, is not in my DNA... yet.

Use a power sharpener, factory fresh performance every time .

What power sharpeners are you suggesting?

I like filing and use a granberg.

Never liked taking the chain off and using a machine.

Can sharpen a chain almost as fast as taking one off.

And the machines IMO, shorten a chains life because they remove more material than is needed.

I like the idea of a Granberg but just how quick and easy to align?

My modus operandi has been to wear them hard until dull and then hand file without a guide and then realize I need to buy a new one. So... I always have one new one on stand by.

 

[newbury]

Most people do not carry a mechanical chain sharpener out into the woods.

You need to define "mechanical", does that include the Granberg and the Timberline?
And with battery powered Dremels etc. it's easy to carry a powered chain sharpener.

Those who cannot hand file, must have never used a granberg.

Yup, that's confusing. I always thought the term "hand filing" meant a hand a file a chain, usually on the saw.
That's why I referred to it as

Then do a "Grandberg sharpening" to make sure my angles are right.

Granberg is a file guide.

You are still filing by hand....

But the file clamps in a jig that is clamped on the bar. Its impossible to file any other angle than what you set the jig at.

I can sharpen a chain (on the saw) as fast as it would take me to remove and reinstall a chain.

That may be good for you, but the OP is not in your class of filing yet. Probably not even with a Grandberg.

A question for Granberg Precision Grinder or the File -N-Joint (with the bar clamp) users...
How does it handle sloppy chains? it seems like just a little (sideways) movement in the chain would change the angle??

I always hold the chain in a gloved hand.

<snip>

I like the idea of a Granberg but just how quick and easy to align?

My modus operandi has been to wear them hard until dull and then hand file without a guide and then realize I need to buy a new one. So... I always have one new one on stand by.

Generally one only uses a few different angles, so you get it set up for your chain and use it repeatedly.
Bailey's has a good video on it:

<snip>
IF you are just "getting in to it" and do not have either a good or inexpensive dealer to sharpen chains (my local dealer charged $12 for a 20" chain back in 2009, and sometimes ruined the chain) I'd recommend looking into tools like the "Stihl 2 in 1 chainsaw sharpener" and the Timberline.

Remember a dull cutter, either on a chainsaw chain or a knife, is dangerous unless you are cutting soft butter.

The timberline looks like a limited Grandberg,

The following specialty chains are not currently compatible with the Timberline Sharpener: carbide chains (requiring a diamond bit for sharpening) and ripping/milling chains requiring a 5˚- 15˚ sharpening angle (our standard angle guides are set at 30˚ and our accessory angle guides provide 25˚ and 35˚).

Since I do a lot of milling it wasn't for me