Chain Sharpening

[Dean Center]

Project Farm has an updated review of chain saw sharpeners.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq7rE715YOU
He previously did a review of grinder style sharpeners, IIRC.

John L. Do you think the teeth get shorter faster using a grinder?

 

[John K Jordan]

John L. Do you think the teeth get shorter faster using a grinder?

I'd like to know what John L. thinks about this too!

From my experience they don't get shorter faster if sharpened the way I do it - adjust the amount position of the tooth on the grinder to take of just enough as needed to sharpen (or repair) that tooth. This can make some teeth a little shorter and some teeth longer but that doesn't affect the cut. I think it's a myth that the teeth need to be the same length - the chain will even cut fine some ground down to a nub and even with a few missing teeth!

They don't do this at the shops I know - they seem to set the machine to the shortest tooth on the chain and automatically grind all to match - it's quick and easy for them but it does reduce the overall chain life. Seeing how the local shop sharpened was one reason I bought a grinder.

That, and that some who sharpen don't know enough to check and shorten the depth gauges as needed. I have one friend who always got his chains sharpened at the local shop and after several sharpenings the saw wouldn't cut as well and they told him the chain was worn out and sold him a new one. But these chains still had a lot of life - just needed to adjust the depth gauges (I use a stone in a rotary tool for that). I fixed up some of the "worn out" chains he kept and he said they cut like new!

The local shop didn't even know about the cheap little tool that checks the depth gauge heights and lets you know when and how much to shorten them. (lay it across two teeth so the depth gauge is in the slot and you can feel if it's needs shortening.) But in two minutes they found the tool and ordered one for me. Maybe they should read the manuals for the saws they sell - Stihl spells all this out in their manual.

Warning: shortening the depth gauges more than needed can make the saw much more aggressive - OK at times but don't let it catch you off guard!

JKJ

 

[robo hippy]

I do tend to flip my bar some times, though I don't use it like I used to any more. I did have one that would cut very nice curves, but not straight, then found out about having the bar straightened out. Well, the "fixed" bar lasted an hour or two before it went wonky again. I ended up getting a new bar. Also, there can be a very nice burr along the edge of the bar from where the chain rubs. Watched another technician at a saw shop cut himself with it. Lesson learned before I did it to myself.

robo hippy