Chain(Saw) Sharpener, where and what kind?

[CJ4]

I'm clearing several acres of brush and I go thru dulling chains real often. I have a guy who's been sharpening my chains but if I could find a good machine i'd buy one and do it myself. Where can I find a good deal on one??? What's the easiest to use and best one to buy??? Thanks

 

[Saxman]

Northern Tool or Harbor Freight have plastic chain grinders that do a good job for about $40 or less. I had one and it did a decent job but after I got into it I purchased a new Oregon 511A from Amick's Superstore online. This is a pro grade commerical unit that has more adjustments for grind angles than the cheap ones. The price was about $260, which is alot, but if you have enough chains sharpened at $6.00 each it will eventually pay for itself and you have the convenience of having a sharp chain when you want one.

 

[tawilson]

Northern Tool has a chinese knockoff of the Oregon grinder for $100 which I think is a steal. After getting one and checking it out, I went and ordered another. Over on Arboristsite there are a few threads on modding them to take out a few bugs they come with, but mine worked fine right out of the box.

 

[gordon21]

The orange plastic one from Harbor Freight for $30-40 works fine. I bought one plus an extra couple grinding discs. After doing about 60+ sharpenings, the original wheel is still fine. It will adjust on only one axis, not two. But, for the price, it sure beats hand filing if you are doing stumps or lots of close to the ground work where one minute your blade is fine and the next it is ruined again from hitting a rock.

 

[Bedlam]

Harbor Freight Tools

I would sign up for the free catalogs from harbor freight, and youll get one eventually with a 5 dollar off coupon. helps save on the shipping.

chain sharpener from Northern Tool + Equipment

I have used the HF one for years now. does an ok job. As sosmeone posted flip the wheels over after a few sharpenings.I dont regret the HF one, and I got it when it cost 89 dollars.

 

[texasjohn]

The Harbor Freight sharpener works for me... about$40.... and if you become a preferred customer..just need to sign up and get their flyers in the mail, and get email discount coupons.... then a couple of times a year they provide a mail coupon that allows 15% off on a single purchase, including items currently on sale...

I can't stay away from HF ... I watch their sales, use their coupons almost exclusively, seldom buy at their regular prices, find that their products are adequate or better. Agreed, there are "better tools" available, but I'd only be able to afford 10% of the tools I use regularly if I bought top of the line stuff.

I'd much rather have a full range of tools that do the job OK than a very few tools and have to struggle without ANY tool for a particular job, or abandon a task for lack of adequate tool.

 

[tommu56]

Im an other Harbor Freight fan just did 4 chains in less than an hour.
Yea it isn't as fancy as a Bellsaw or Oregan but you could by 2 or 3 for the price. I did buy 2 extra wheeels but I would suggest only one they don't wear that fast.

tommu56

 

[tawilson]

I take it back. I followed Bedlam's link and the Northern Tool sharpener is selling for $89 now. And it comes with 3 grinding wheels.

 

[Timber]

I guess I am old school I dress all my teeth with a cold file in the field on the tailgate.

 

[Bedlam]

I also, sometimes use the file to sharpen. but the machine, even as 'cheap' as it is allows the angle to keep the same. Thats a help with the eyes.Nothing wrong with just the file. I did it for years. But with spare chains the machine works best.(holds them in place)
I agree, buy only one spare. I had two, and when I finally went to use it it was brittle for some reason, and it cracked when installed. I took a few of the chips, and along with a simple letter, and the stock number, sent it to HF and they sent me another one. no questions.
In my opinion they have a great return policy.Especially for a big company.
For me, its worth the time to thumb through 15 to 20 catalogs to find the lowest price..once bought a tranny jack that was $189.00 and found it in a catalog for $134.00 (of course it was the last book I looked at)LOL
good luck
Al