Another Chain Saw Question

[schmism]

For a person like yourself hear is my recommendation.

for $500 you get everything a guy that has nothing needs to go out and cut firewood safely.

bailey's firewood kit
Bailey's - Efco Firewood Cutting Kit

ya i know its not a stihl or husky... but i can guarantee the Efco is no worse than a HD poulon.

Puting a quick file on a dull chain to bring it back to life for a few more cuts before you swap out loops is a skill that takes time to master. Untill then feel confident knowing that a few backup inexpensive loops and carefull operation will keep you cutting wood all day long with only a few backup loops.

 

[Egon]

understand your point about learning and I am someone who is always willing to invest the time to learn a new skill but you also need to judge the amount of time it tkaes to learn the skill and the amount of use you will get out of the skill once you learn it and judge if it makes sense to invest the time necessary.

Some folks might learn quicker than others. Seeing as there seem to be quite a few fellows around capable of sharpening a chain it should be possible for most of us should it not?

 

[jjkane]

I have a few chainsaws for different purposes. I bought an electric saw from Harbor Freight, the one that mounts on a pole for trimming without getting the ladder from the shed. I've had a Homelite for some time but it's a small 18 inch saw for yard work. Then I bought a Husquvarna 20 inch Rancher 455. So far it's been extremely reliable. Starts easy and doesn't bog down when cutting through tough wood. It still comes down to keeping the blade sharp and for that I use an attachment for my Dremel tool. The kit comes with bits depending what your chain needs. It's worth the investment.

jjk

 

[MossRoad]

Egon - Hand Sharpening is an art. I worked with guys who could hand sharpen a saw so well you could shave with it. There is not a machine made that could put an edge on a chain the way they could. I watched them a thousand times and they explained all the principels to me and after 5 years of full time commercial logging I would consider myself adequate at best. I only hand sharpen a saw in a pinch when I am out of sharp chains and I can do a sufficent job to allow me to keep working but certainly not at peak performance.

5 years and you couldn't pick up that skill? Perhaps you should consider a career in computers.... like me!

I have three chains. The guy at the hardware store sharpens them for $4.00 per chain. They are not as good as new, but they are 90%. New chains are $25.00 and up for my little saw. For the price of a sharpening machine, the time it would take to do it, and the aggravation of doing it myself, I'll let him do it.

 

[vsteel]

For those that don't sharpen several chains a day, here is what I use with very good results.

Bailey's - Granberg File-N-Joint Precision Filing Guide

 

[Bedlam]

Oh come on its easy to file. slow and steady keep the angle.
i use this
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
paid just under 100 bucks now look at the price.LOL

my buddy just got this
Northern Industrial Bench or Wall-Mount Saw Chain Sharpener | Chain Saw Sharpeners, Maintenance + Repair | Northern Tool + Equipment
I'm envious .but have to stick to my nick grinder and a file in between.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Why sharpen a chain? Whenever I fill the fuel tank, I take out the file and run it on each tooth two strokes, it takes maybe two minutes to touch up my 18" chain and I never have to sit there and file one. Cutting good or not, it always gets this and I never have to fight with a dull chain.

As far as hand sharpening goes, my little sister does it. Find someone that knows how and ask them to show you. For crying out tears it's only a file and a piece of chain. Anyone with a little common sense and some direction could figure it out. A lot of you guys want to repack your own hydraulic cylinders but you won't sharpen your own chain? Sheesh.

 

[MossRoad]

Why sharpen a chain? Whenever I fill the fuel tank, I take out the file and run it on each tooth two strokes, it takes maybe two minutes to touch up my 18" chain and I never have to sit there and file one. Cutting good or not, it always gets this and I never have to fight with a dull chain.

As far as hand sharpening goes, my little sister does it. Find someone that knows how and ask them to show you. For crying out tears it's only a file and a piece of chain. Anyone with a little common sense and some direction could figure it out. A lot of you guys want to repack your own hydraulic cylinders but you won't sharpen your own chain? Sheesh.

Does your little sister have a fishing boat?


(sorry, but I could not resist that old joke )

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Does your little sister have a fishing boat?


(sorry, but I could not resist that old joke )

Yes she does and believe it or not she used to gut trout for me.

 

[MossRoad]

Yes she does and believe it or not she used to gut trout for me.

My wife was chucking firewood with me yesterday. She out-worked me.