Review of chainsaw sharpener I just bought

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I recently read a thread on TBN about chainsaw sharpeners. It was specifically about the Timberline sharpener. Within the thread a few people mentioned the Granberg 1012XT sharpener. There were positive reviews of each one. I have never been satisfied with my ability to hand file a chain. I have the cheap Harbor Freight electric sharpener, and in my opinion it only provides fair results.

After much googling and you tubing, I chose to buy the Granberg sharpener. Since I have never used the Timberline, this is not meant to diminish that product but to report my experience with the Granberg. In fact, the Timberline seems to get rave reviews from its users.

The Granberg is a 12 volt electric product. It can easily be used anywhere you have access to a 12V battery. I used it in my garage, accessing the battery on my zero turn. It could just as easily be used in the field using a tractor or ATV battery.

Like any new product you use, there is a short learning curve, however I found the Granberg to be very user friendly and easy to understand how to use it. I sharpened a couple of chains and left an older chain that had been pretty beat up on the saw to test in the field.

One reason I chose the Granberg was it's ability to very accurately/easily set the proper depth of the raker depth gauges. I'll admit that I have always been pretty lax at that part of the sharpening process, and I'm sure I have paid the price in performance.

Well, I used the chainsaw this weekend. Wow. I love the results. It cut like a dream, maybe not quite as good as a brand new chain but very close. And to reiterate, that was a very dull beat up chain prior to sharpening it on the Granberg. So the bottom line is I give it 5 stars. I will almost look forward to sharpening chains in the future. There is something to be said for going out knowing that the chainsaw is going to perform as intended.

 

[Stimw]

I just use a Dremel type tool with a chainsaw bit.
It takes a steady hand and the chain stays on the saw.

 

[Oldpath05]

I've had Granberg for over a year now, still on the same stone, this past summer I got tired of the battery clamps and splice on a cigarette lighter plug because nowadays everything has a cig outlet, I even put one on my tractor just so I can recharge my cell phone if needed. I also took of those little wrenches off from the cord and keep them in a separate container, and did some marker high lighting so I can see those little numbers betterah, I also think it puts the fun back into saw sharpening.

I also bought the stick of wax to apply to the stone that they sell, supposedly according to Granberg it keeps the stone and tooth from overheating. Also when I hit a rock I put on a bigger stone to help get the tooth back in somewhat better shape quicker.

I seen some Granberg sharpeners on youtube that the stone is rotating up towards the tooth point, counter clockwise, but mine has always rotated from the tooth point downwards, clockwise, doesn't leave that so called burr on tooth edge

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I also bought the stick of wax to apply to the stone that they sell, supposedly according to Granberg it keeps the stone and tooth from overheating. Also when I hit a rock I put on a bigger stone to help get the tooth back in somewhat better shape quicker.

Yeah I got the wax as well. Tried sharpening without and with the wax and I think it does a better job using the wax. Keeps the heat down, and I think it will prolong the life of the stone.

I am curious about your theory of using a larger stone on a damaged tooth. Supposedly the key to getting the best cut involves the consistency of a jig type sharpener from tooth to tooth. Aren't you making that one tooth different for all the others? Probably not a big point but just interested in your thoughts.

 

[JRobyn]

There is something SO satisfying about cutting with a chain that you have freshly sharpened yourself, that makes a shower of nice, big, cleanly cut chips.

 

[Oldpath05]

I am curious about your theory of using a larger stone on a damaged tooth. Supposedly the key to getting the best cut involves the consistency of a jig type sharpener from tooth to tooth. Aren't you making that one tooth different for all the others? Probably not a big point but just interested in your thoughts.

My theory is when I hit a rock, (hard hit) most teeth have a lot of damage, lot of damage means lot of metal to grind, lot of metal to grind means a bigger stone will grind more metal faster, theory example could be> A bushhog blade has cut a lot of rocks, now it's dull and chewed up, to get it back to cutting performance we would use a Dewalt 4-1/2" grinder vs a Dremel grinding stone.

Now once the saw teeth are ground down to in the ballpark geometry, I fine tune with the correct size stone, with a bush hog blade that would be fine tuned with a sanding disc, this is just my theory. But if just make a slight hit on a rock I just keep sharpening like nothing ever happened or if the chain is mostly wore out anyways I chuck it.

 

[mbergeon]

I have the Granberg and the Timberline. I find the chains last longer and are more consistent with the Timberline, but the Granburg works best for a severely rocked chain.

If you use the Granburg try these:
Eze-Lap Diamond Products — All Products — Eze-Lap Chainsaw Sharpeners

I prefer the ones without the guide.

 

[ratpie]

i have a Granburg bar mount G-106B. i love that little thing. it's a bit slower doing it by hand but, i take a few beers with me and time just flies by. i get into a rhythm, and at the end, i have a razor sharp chain. it's small, lightweight, and easy to use anywhere you are.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I have the Granberg and the Timberline. I find the chains last longer and are more consistent with the Timberline, but the Granburg works best for a severely rocked chain.

If you use the Granburg try these:
Eze-Lap Diamond Products — All Products — Eze-Lap Chainsaw Sharpeners

I prefer the ones without the guide.

Do you find the eze-lap stones are superior to the ones supplied by Granberg?

 

[wngsprd]

I've used a simple Sears and Roebuck clamp on guide for probably 32 years, but the frame finally broke from the stress this summer. I've never been sure I was getting chains as sharp as possible, but always seemed more pleased than the couple of times I paid the hardware store to do it, and occasionally I'll get one I think is as sharp as new.

So, I'm interested in getting a new sharpener, and your thread is very timely. Thanks for sharing your review. I'll check out the Granbergs and Timberlines.

Can I ask where you got your Granberg?