chain saw , saw chain sharpening

[Den1952]

I made these two jigs for sharpening the saw chain.
the first 3 pics is a clamp to hold the spare chain. the chain itself gets clamped in the jig. the jig itself gets mounted into the bench vice.
the last 2 pics are for a stump vice that I made, for touching up the chain mounted on the saw. (parked on a convenient stump or log)
I didn't want the hassle of having to mount the spare chain into the saw for filing, this jig does work nicely. there are 3 moveable insets which clamp onto the drive tangs of the saw. loosen them up and slide the chain forward, and tighten them up.
I am surprised that I could not find a store bought jig for this purpose anywhere. for the loose spare chain that is.

 

[ultrarunner]

Looks like a winner!

 

[Egon]

Interesting.:thumbsup:

I just use a c clamp on the bar when at home. Out in the field a piece of branch or whatever has to do.

 

[Den1952]

Interesting.:thumbsup:

I just use a c clamp on the bar when at home. .

I don't quite understand how a c clamp will anchor a loose-spare chain. the jig I was primarily interested in was to prevent having to swap chains on the saw just to sharpen it. this way I can touch up the one on the saw but also do any loose spares that need it.

 

[Turbys_1700]

That is a very nice jig you made...
I don't cut a lot of wood anymore but did in the past for home heating...
My daddy sold old Homelites back in the day...
He taught me how to sharpen a chain with just a file and no jig...
Couple years ago I went and bought one of those cheap harbor freight sharpeners for like $30...
If I was cutting a lot of wood I would keep 4 or so chains sharpened and ready to go before going to the woods...
Those grinders work well it is real easy to sharpen a chain too much with them...
Nice job...

 

[Den1952]

I like filing also. I have nothing against the electric grinder machine sharpeners. my only complaint about those is , if you take it in somewhere to be sharpened, the guy absolutely insists that all of the teeth will be ground down until it matches the length of the shortest cutter. I always think that is a waste of lots of good teeth.
now that you mention the $30 grinder,, my son just bought one, it seems to do an excellent job of sharpening, however it came furnished with only one stone wheel, an 1/8" radius. we cannot find info about, which size stone wheel to use with different sizes chain. or if the radius of the stone is the same as the diameter of a file recommended for various size chain.
there are times the occasional sharpening with a machine is great for reestablishing the proper angle, same on all teeth. with hand filing it is possible to occasionally drift from the proper angle on some of the teeth.

 

[yomax4]

Nice work on the stump vise. I just bring along extra chains and sharpen them with my grinder when I get home.

 

[Den1952]

has anyone a chart for determining which grinder stone to use on various size chain teeth?

 

[turnkey4099]

I made these two jigs for sharpening the saw chain.
the first 3 pics is a clamp to hold the spare chain. the chain itself gets clamped in the jig. the jig itself gets mounted into the bench vice.
the last 2 pics are for a stump vice that I made, for touching up the chain mounted on the saw. (parked on a convenient stump or log)
I didn't want the hassle of having to mount the spare chain into the saw for filing, this jig does work nicely. there are 3 moveable insets which clamp onto the drive tangs of the saw. loosen them up and slide the chain forward, and tighten them up.
I am surprised that I could not find a store bought jig for this purpose anywhere. for the loose spare chain that is.

Nice jig! Suggestion: replace the bolts with 'toggle clamps' Much faster than loosening/tightening bolts.

MSI 12130 Vertical Quick-Release Toggle Clamps - Amazon.com

I have thought of (but never built) similar jigs and those toggles are the greatest. I used lots of them when I ran the drill presses in a fertilizer equipment manufacturing shop. They come in all types of configurations nd I could always find one where the handle moved in the right way for a jig.

Harry K

 

[Den1952]

thanks for that tip. so far these 3 clamp locations need the allen wrench to work. actually a 1/4 turn is sufficient, so I had thought about welding an allen wrench to the screws.
I can see where toggle bolts would be nicer, if I can locate the perfect configuration.

 

[Oliver1655]

Harry if you have a Menard's close to you the toggle clamps are about half the price. They are real handy for making all kinds of jigs.