Comments on: Hot or Not? Electric Chainsaw Sharpener

By: Chain Saw Sharpeners

Chain Saw Sharpeners — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:07:33 +0000

[...] Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Hot or Not? Electric Chainsaw Sharpener [...]

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:13:38 +0000

Dremel’s little chainsaw sharpening head (fits on regular dremel) works for me in the shop. It’s quite a bit cheaper and works with the chain on the bar.

In the field, a 12volt granger is the way to go, but it takes some skill to use. Again, the chain stays on the bar. The granger can also sharpen a rip chain, which uses a different cutting angle, because it’s not a fixed angle sharpener.

By: Ol' yankee swappah

Ol' yankee swappah — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:53:11 +0000

I cut an average of 15 cords a year and have always had my chains ground at the local saw shop periodically. I bought this at Harbor Freight and didn’t expect much from a plastic machine. I have 4 favorite saws and a back up. This tool works fine for a touchup or a complete sharpening. I have cleaned up all my blades in no time at all. I still use a hand file in the field, but this crappy little machine paid for itself right off the bat. I’m really happy with the results, even though as a full time tool guy, I would normally look for a professional quality tool.

By: Chain Saw Sharpener Info | Stihl Products

Chain Saw Sharpener Info | Stihl Products — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:57:19 +0000

[...] Hot or Not? Electric Chainsaw Sharpener [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:58:34 +0000

I cut more wood than the average homeowner but nowhere near a pro. I purchased this tool and the results it provided were beyond expectaions. To think I wasted my time filing in the past is just crazy. This thing quickly brings your blades into spec and you can sharpen an entire completely trashed chain in less than 5 minutes. Ths entire cost of the tool was less than a replacement blade. The sharpened blades actually cut considerably faster than when new. I’m not sure why but it’s true. For the money you can’t lose. Heck if for some odd reason you didn’t like it simply return it. I’m not going to say the thing is exactly what I call high quality since it is made out of plastic but I will say thanks to them for providing me with a tool that simply does the job. I’ve had it for three years now and not a complaint.

By: Shared Items - March 31, 2009 « Black Sheep Blog

Shared Items - March 31, 2009 « Black Sheep Blog — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:41:24 +0000

[...] Hot or Not? Electric Chainsaw Sharpener [...]

By: kyle

kyle — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:13:07 +0000

We have this exact sharpener and I sharped two chains prety easily and I had never done it before, it worked well

By: fred

fred — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:07:46 +0000

As a sometimes woodworking hobbyist I can relate to the pleasure and relaxation value of doing (or at least trying) to do things using time-honored hand tool skills. I like my home shop and turn out a few good items from time to time. I am humbled every time I look at quality antique furniture, knowing that the journeyman maker used hand tools to make something that is hard to duplicate today. Knowing that my skill level is nowhere near what’s needed to duplicate one of these pieces doesn’t stop me from continuing woodworking as a hobby.
Now in the businesses that I run – productivity and craftsmanship need to be balanced more – with the aim of making a fair profit while paying skilled workers a fair wage and delivering high quality to our customers. I don’t have much call to have workers sharpening chain – by hand or otherwise – but we do look to machinery solutions everywhere to improve productivity. As a kid, I saw a mechanic cut a keyway with a cape chisel. I remember that it took quite a bit of time to do it. I think we’d opt to use our milling machine – even if someone had the skill to do it with a chisel.

By: BC

BC — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:36:32 +0000

@Andrew: I have to disagree with you, that we’re “losing” basic shop skills. Technology changes every field of interest, Toolmongering included. I’m not saying there isn’t a place for the “old” ways - there are some things that need a human touch - but we need improvements and new ideas. There’s *always* a way to improve on something or make it easier. Yes, I know newer/easier isn’t always better.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:44:37 +0000

As someone who heated with wood exclusively for eight years, I dulled my share of chains. For a typical homeowner, this is overkill. It takes only a few minutes to sharpen a chain by hand, and if you are out in the woods working, stopping to sharpen the saw is a good way to slow down, take a break, and be safe by not getting overtired.

It IS possible to have too many power tools, and this is one where I would draw the line. Of course, I have been sharpening my drills by hand since an old timer showed me how many years ago. We are losing basic shop skills with all these gadgets.

By: PutnamEco

PutnamEco — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:27:10 +0000

Cheap tools are almost never hot, On the other hand, a quality chain grinder is Hot. If your going to be doing any real chainsaw work, they will quickly pay for themselves, When your going through a few chains a day, having the shop do it will quickly eat into your profits.No less the time it saves over hand filing, which is only realistic to do if the chain is not nicked up. Different pitch chains grind better with differing grinding wheels. A small grinder like that would most likely only grind 1/8″ chain. I would fear for it burning out on 1/2″ chains and I would love to see it even do 1 harvester chain.

For a home owner, take it to the shop. for a dedicated hobby woodlot or home wood heater, maybe, for a pro, you already have one, plus the tools to make your own chains.

By: _Jon

_Jon — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:56:39 +0000

Drop it off, come back in a week.
Even with a power tool, it isn’t worth the headache.
I used to work for a place that did this work when I was in high school.
Let a kid get some skills…