TSC Chainsaw Sharpener

[94BULLITT]

Does anybody hand file their mower blades? I do.

 

[2458n]

The discount on TSC clearanced Items was quite attractive. I too took advantage of it,picking up some PTO items. I have a guy who sharpens my stuff on a cash basis. Works well for both of us.

 

[TomSeller]

Does anybody hand file their mower blades? I do.

Years ago, yes. Now, I am lazier than you and use a grinder. Sometimes a hand grinder. I assume you are talking brush hog.

 

[94BULLITT]

Years ago, yes. Now, I am lazier than you and use a grinder. Sometimes a hand grinder. I assume you are talking brush hog.

I was talking about lawn mower blades.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using TractorByNet

 

[avillahdw]

Something else to throw in the mix. If you are machine sharpening your chains, there are two different angle setting depending on your chain type. Chipper chain (has a rounded top corner when looking at its profile) normally sharpens at 30 degrees off perpendicular while chisel (having a square top corner profile) should be sharpened at 25 degrees for max cut efficiency. Also, there are differences in your grinding wheels. Most grinders come with a vitrified wheel. These are usually pink in color. Resinous and borizon wheels are also available. We have tried all three at the hardware store I own and have settled on the resinoid wheel. It grinds a little cooler than the vitrified wheel. As far as hand vs machine, both have pros and cons and supporters are dedicated (to say the least). What will make the most difference with either is taking the time to do the job right. Just my two cents from someone who sharpens 3-4000 blades a year.

 

[YesDeere]

Anyone use the dremel sharpening attachment? $15 at HD. I like mine.

 

[avillahdw]

We sell a few of the Oregon versions of them. Just like with a hand file, till you get used to it, you have to watch your angles (both vertical and perpendicular). Also, people want to hold and grind till sharp. Don't try to take to much off at one time. These turn at such high RPM, you can overheat the tooth. Just gotta be patient. Done properly, they can do a good job.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

You said it was on Clearance? 99.00 or something?

Yep, clearance $99.99. Online it was 149.99; store had it on sale for 129.99. I went by and look at it and the manager said it was scheduled to be put on clearance for 99.99 so I had them put it in the back with my name on it, and I had my 25% off clearance so I got it for 75.00.

I have opened the box to make sure everything is there. The instructions are not very good but I don't think it will be an issue. I did get most of my old chains together, about 3-4. I still have a couple of others somewhere. These are several years old some are from where I cleared the property for the house.

I cut around 150 trees then and only have one chain that my not be able to save.

They are calling for rain Saturday so if that happens I will try it out. If it does not rain I will be cutting trees to make way for the pole barn and 3 sided equipment shed.

 

[murphy1244]

Yep, clearance $99.99. Online it was 149.99; store had it on sale for 129.99. I went by and look at it and the manager said it was scheduled to be put on clearance for 99.99 so I had them put it in the back with my name on it, and I had my 25% off clearance so I got it for 75.00.

I have opened the box to make sure everything is there. The instructions are not very good but I don't think it will be an issue. I did get most of my old chains together, about 3-4. I still have a couple of others somewhere. These are several years old some are from where I cleared the property for the house.

I cut around 150 trees then and only have one chain that my not be able to save.

They are calling for rain Saturday so if that happens I will try it out. If it does not rain I will be cutting trees to make way for the pole barn and 3 sided equipment shed.

Thanks I'll just have to wait on my store to get around to it.

 

[the old grind]

Don't get the one lowes has, it is home owner grade. It is just about all plastic and has a lot of slop in it.

One mans 'slop' is another's 'backlash', and machine operators live with that every day. Old mills & lathes have plenty of it but can still hold tolerances to mere thousandths in experienced hands.

Examples: last month I drilled an '80s GM 4WD rt steering knuckle to be adapted for 'crossover steering', 3 holes tapped to 5/8x20 in a pattern 'located' by spinning handwheels. Backlash on the mill is all of .050" in x and y axes, yet on assembly the bolts were turned in to the bottom by hand (fingers). Last weekend I bored bearing pockets for a modded Honda Mini frame's front fork bearings. (weld-on neck extensions to mount a taller 'tree') Backlash on the lathe's toolpost is north of .040" yet I was able to provide a light interference fit (2-3 thou U/S) for the races.

I don't know why I'm saying this. :confused3: I'd bet that Roger would get pro-quality results from a 'plastic' grinder despite that 'slop'. (Are you teasing us??) I showed my neighbor how to use his cheapo HFT and he caught on right away. He likes me to sharpen his chains only because I offer the one thing he lacks: confidence. It doesn't come in the box with a new tool, bust most guys can whip up their own by the second or third chain sharpened on the 'sloppiest' of these. Don't know 'til you try.

Now back to beating up on that other guy that said one thing many disagree with..... (I wonder if The Fred is following this & laughing at our attitude by now ..)

 

[tjkubota93]

I have a timberline sharpener. After you figure it out, its great. It gets a chain just sharp as new. Its high dollar but its worth it. And im a cheapskate.
Sorry if you didn't want the unsolicited input.

 

[murphy1244]

Thanks, do you consider that chain loose? and you sharpen away from the tooth not into it, right?

 

[murphy1244]

I see now, sharpen from back to front.

 

[xtn]

Also... why doesn't some clever manufacturing company produce a machine sharpener that doesn't require removing the chain? Something like the business end of an Oregon 511 unit that mounts atop a vice, such that you can just clamp your bar into it and go to work? Is that not feasible?

xtn

 

[deerseeker001]

I would never go back to a hand file after buying chain sharpener.

 

[murphy1244]

Thanks for the Video's I learned a bit.

 

[tractorcrazy]

i got one from harbor freight about ten years ago.i still use a file when i am out in the field.you can set the m up to where they just take a little bite out of your chain.i would suggest starting out with a old chain till you get the hang of it.
RICK

 

[murphy1244]

I still take the chain off when I'm done for the day to clean the saw up and sharpen.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Chainsaw Sharpener - Save on this Electric Chain Sharpener

It is on sale for $27 so we picked up one today. Dad used to say they were only good to grind a way a good chain so I need to prove or disprove his opinion or experience. The TSC one my be nicer but it is more than twice as much too. I will try to post my experience if we get it out of the box before spring. Hoping to find an old one to practice on.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

You know if someone was interested in this sharpener I don't think they would get much information from this thread. I would not want to read 109+ replies only to find a hand full giving useful information.

It does not matter how great you/we are at hand sharpening a chain. It only matters that the chain cuts to my/your satisfaction.

I don't care if you use a machine or hand file, and I don't care if it takes you 30 seconds or 30 minutes to sharpen. What I do care about is useful information, what works for you. Maybe there is something you do that I could incorporate into my hand filing or machine filing that would be useful. I think this thread is beyond that now.

It is easy to misconstrue someone's reply, read something into it that is not there, and totally take it out of context. That has been achieved in this thread.

Basically a thread that could have some very useful information and actually help someone has turned out to be useless.

I hope to have the electric sharpener up and running this weekend but the holiday crunch could put a damper on this. I will however post my thoughts on the TSC brand once I give it a try. In a new thread of course. I think it would be a nice little machine to have on a rainy day. Sit down in the shop and sharpen some chains.

I am going to ask a moderator to lock this thread. I will start a new one after I try this thing out.

To everyone that contributed useful information, I thank you.