Thread: Electric chainsaw sharpeners

ive only had petrol chainsaws....

with them you sharpen the chain not the whole chainsaw.... obviously electric chainsaws are different??

(no I still use a file, sorry I couldnt resist! )

Andy, I've never used a cheap grinder ([edit] any grinder ) but those who's advice I value reckon don't bother, particularly after you've used a decent one

I can also advise not to get a Maxx grinder, my mate Matt had one and eventually ebayed it, it wouldn't hold consistent angles.
He bought a Speed Sharp instead (Tecomec/Precision Tooling, the manufacturer of the Oregon ones) and loves it.
His business is chain sharpening, accessories, tools and tree felling.

Stick with the Tecomec/Precision Tooling/(Speed Sharp, Jolly, etc)/Oregon ones.
You pay for them but all the fella's I talk to reckon this is one time it pays to fork out the $ for a decent one.

I can give you Matt's phone # or email and you can have a talk to him, he's bloody good on his prices too, he freights stuff to me from South Oz.

I use a file. Takes me a bit longer than perhaps a leccy sharpener would, but does a far better job IMO.

Originally Posted by chris_mack

I use a file. Takes me a bit longer than perhaps a leccy sharpener would, but does a far better job IMO.

A well setup grinder with a well shaped wheel (or better still an ABN/CBN wheel but they are $$) and someone with a light hand does a good job and if you have a lot of chains to sharpen or have one that's been rocked or even just been cutting abrasive stuff I can see the advantage in having a grinder around.

I've got an oregon electric sharpener in the shed. Never use it.

Found that when I did use it years ago, could never really get a consistent angle and the saw always cut in a curve. Also, chains never seemed to last as long - probably as a result of using it more than would normally have been necessary in order to correct my stuff-ups and me being heavy handed.

These days, it's always just a file and the bench vice for me.

Which reminds me - I'd better get it out this afternoon. There's a pile of stuff up the back that needs cutting and I've been putting it off. But wet weather is forecast for here for most of the week, so if I don't do it today .................

Originally Posted by digger

ive only had petrol chainsaws....

with them you sharpen the chain not the whole chainsaw.... obviously electric chainsaws are different??

(no I still use a file, sorry I couldnt resist! )

hi i got a cheap ebay one as well still learning how to use it i have found that the chain does not stay sharp for long. have a look on u tube few vids on how to do it but if anyone has any tips that would be great.

BMKal ... if it's not cutting straight, your bar rails need re-levelling ... it's not the chains fault !

Andy, get the manufacturers specified angles for the chain and be particular in setting up the machine first ... should only have to kiss the cutters to get an edge back ... I flip a new chain on as soon as the one in use looses it's edge ... most folks keep going, and you round the leading edge (top) of the cutter down, requiring more cutter ground off to get the right angle .... good way to go through chains.

... and, chip away at the cutter in lots of little up/down strokes, don't just sink the wheel into the chain in one fell swoop ... you'll soften the cutter and it won't hold its edge ... it'll turn blue, and it's rooted! ... some cheaper chains I've had in for sharpening blue way too easily ... crap chinese chain!