Automatic Chain Sharpener - Under $300

[Philbert]

I have heard rumors of an automatic chain sharpener 'under $500' for a few years. Saw some info on one for just under $300 today:

TEMCo Industrial FP1000 - Automatic Chainsaw Sharpener

Have not used one, or even seen it in person. Following info is from manufacturer's materials.

- works on full comp chain only
- looks like you can set top plate angle only (head tilt angle and 'down angle' fixed?)
- does depth gauges with separate wheel (interesting way to gauge them)
- works on 12V (off of car battery) or 120VAC with adaptors
- looks like proprietary grinding wheels (?)
- no info if wheels need to be dressed, etc.
- $299 on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382554682157

More info in series of pretty clear YouTube videos:


Looks like I might need a 'cheat sheet' to program it for at least the first few times. But 1/10 to 1/20 the price of the next automatic chain sharpeners that I know of!





Philbert

 

[Deleted member 149229]

The “proprietary” wheel throws a red flag for me. Many times before I retired we would try new tooling and generally the one with proprietary wheels or cutters presented a problem if they had to be replaced and the salesman or company was nowhere to be found.

 

[Philbert]

The “proprietary” wheel throws a red flag for me.

I am just guessing - it does not look like those used by other chain sharpeners, but it could be a 'standard' size, used in other equipment, or available from abrasives suppliers.

Total cost is about the same as an Oregon / Tecomec 5-3/4" ginder.

Philbert

 

[Deleted member 150358]

I wonder how it deals with chains that have 2 cutters in a row on the same side?

Maybe have to start there?

 

[Deleted member 149229]

I wonder how it deals with chains that have 2 cutters in a row on the same side?

Maybe have to start there?

Good thinking. That could get real ugly.

 

[Philbert]

I wonder how it deals with chains that have 2 cutters in a row on the same side? Maybe have to start there?

That's an important question. The videos stress that it does not work with skip-tooth, semi-skip, or even an extra tie strap (common in any chain where the drive link count is not divisible by 4). Might be some way to 'trick' the machine. Important, because there are lots of common chains like that.

I have reached out to the company, and hope that they will maybe chime in with answers to question like these.

Philbert

 

[KiwiBro]

Automatic is a misnomer if you can't take your eyes off it or have to manually check drive counts or if skip, etc. At best it's semi automatic and only with some significant conditions that would disqualify it for many people at any price.

That said, if the raker depth can be programmed then it might be worth changing bars to get correct drive link counts and running full comp at less aggressive raker depths instead of skip, or a hyper skip that would match a full comp set up so the grinder does air grinds where cutters should be.

 

[Gun]

Hello, my name is Gun, the Chief Products Officer here at TEMCo Industrial. Philbert had emailed us that there's been some talk about our FP1000 here, and we wanted to make sure we went through the proper channels to make sure our responses here would meet this ArborSite's rules concerning advertisement. Justin, our Chief Technical Officer and one of the brains behind this new product, asked the mods and got a response from Jennifer, who confirmed via email that comments would be acceptable, so long as we do not provide links or mention where to purchase it.

I've sent a detailed e-mail to Philbert, but will also provide a direct response here to all the questions and comments currently posted. I'll also be checking the forum daily to see if any new questions or comments arise. Also, mods and admins, my intent is to respect the people and rules of the forum, first and foremost. If my response at any time needs to be edited, please let me know and I can make those edits to meet your standards. Thank you for having me!

The “proprietary” wheel throws a red flag for me. Many times before I retired we would try new tooling and generally the one with proprietary wheels or cutters presented a problem if they had to be replaced and the salesman or company was nowhere to be found.

We do provide replacements for these proprietary wheels, for both the grinder wheel and raker wheel.

I understand that proprietary parts can be a pain, but we have a good reason that you can only use our wheels: because the machine operates at such a high RPM, if the wheels were not concentric enough, or their axial and radial runouts were off, the machine would vibrate tremendously. If you were to use wheels from difference brands, we couldn't guarantee you a smooth machine.

I wonder how it deals with chains that have 2 cutters in a row on the same side?

Maybe have to start there?

A proximity sensor detects which side the cutter is on, and will then tell the cutting head which sided cutter is up next. Therefore, it will cut any permutation of left or right sided cutters.

Automatic is a misnomer if you can't take your eyes off it or have to manually check drive counts or if skip, etc. At best it's semi automatic and only with some significant conditions that would disqualify it for many people at any price.

That said, if the raker depth can be programmed then it might be worth changing bars to get correct drive link counts and running full comp at less aggressive raker depths instead of skip, or a hyper skip that would match a full comp set up so the grinder does air grinds where cutters should be.

We are aware that the FP1000 cannot do skip links, and just to note: neither do the really expensive sharpeners. That's not an excuse, though. I've let Philbert know that for several reasons I can't disclose any information about future developments (several departments would be pissed at me), and especially about those developments that would be available at a price point similar the FP1000. Ahem.

Without calibrating and counting cutters, we'd have to engineer (and therefore add cost) a way for the machine to know where it started, and therefore know where to end.

Also, what we mean by "automatic" is that, once calibrated, a non skip tooth chain placed on the tracks will have ALL of its cutters sharpened (or rakers lowered, if calibrated to do this, too). You really can set one on and walk away.

 

[KiwiBro]

Welcome aboard. Almost everyone of us here wish you well and if there is anything we can help with, please just sing out as we are all passionate CS nuts.

The price is already fantastic and I'd pay more for more versatility. .063, matching whatever tooth configuration is on the chain, including doubles and skips and hyper skips.

Certainly looking forward to reading more and seeing how this pans out. Also, a big thumbs up for keeping it USA made, if that is indeed the case as I think it might be.

 

[Philbert]

Hello, my name is Gun, the Chief Products Officer here at TEMCo Industrial.

Thanks Gun. Folks here appreciate getting accurate technical information directly from the manufacturers.

Philbert

 

[Deleted member 150358]

Visualize putting a 105 dl chain on and watch while enjoying a cup of coffee. That would be nirvana in my little world.

 

[Wood Doctor]

There have been several "under $200" chain sharpeners that emulate the Oregon 511A and have been sold in the last three years that work rather well. I own one of them. I bought it only for LP narrow gauge chains and use the 511A for the rest. That way I never have to change to a narrower grinding wheel. I just switch grinders. But, this bargain grinder will use the same grinding wheels that the 511A uses and vice versa. And, it does a good sharpening job. To me, that's important.

 

[Deleted member 150358]

Ryan recently posted the Tecomec Jolly with hydraulic clamp for $270 I think that's beyond most average firewood hoarders needs and budget.

This does have a cool factor. I love a sharp chain, but I don't love sharpening like some guys. I do think if they can keep the $300 PP with some improvements it will have broad appeal. Limited to 1 chain puts it in a very narrow market. Which they are obviously aware of.

Now if ya could plug into your phone or laptop. Plug in your variables... Bullseye!

 

[KiwiBro]

And if you need any test pilots, I'll sign whatever NDA you need and pay shipping.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Ryan recently posted the Tecomec Jolly with hydraulic clamp for $270 I think that's beyond most average firewood hoarders needs and budget.

This does have a cool factor. I love a sharp chain, but I don't love sharpening like some guys. I do think if they can keep the $300 PP with some improvements it will have broad appeal. Limited to 1 chain puts it in a very narrow market. Which they are obviously aware of.

Now if ya could plug into your phone or laptop. Plug in your variables... Bullseye!

Is it possible that this new invention is too robotic? That's what worries me the most. For example, how does it handle chains that have just a few damaged cutters, different from the rest, that need special attention?

Also, suppose you start it working on a chain that has a different number of right and left drive links? What does it do when it encounters two rights or two lefts in a row or a skip? These chains are everywhere. For example, the most popular top handle saw chain sold in the USA has 50 drive links, not 52 or 48.

Frankly, I am skeptical. Please forgive me for being that way.

 

[rwoods]

Question for @Gun Why can’t chain #2 in the eBay illustration be done by starting at the cutter just after the double link and dailing a link count one short of actual?

Comment for Philbert and others tending volunteers. If this is up to regular use, it would seem to be the cat’s meow for infield tending of volunteers with common chains. About once a year, I loan saws to a volunteer group. I rarely get to cut as all I do is swap out chains. Having a common chain makes life easier, but when I run out of chains they are done. This little machine could keep them going .

Ron

 

[KiwiBro]

Frankly, I am skeptical. Please forgive me for being that way.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[rwoods]

@Gun I see now that it counts cutters not drive links. So my question remains why won’t it work with a chain with one skip link if you start at the first cutter past the skip? If it make multiple passes, I could see an issue but not otherwise.

Ron

 

[KiwiBro]

Just to clarify something, if I'm not mistaken, the Markusson Triplematic can do skip chain, as can the Franzen. Both are unaffordable for most of us though.

 

[rwoods]

Watching the tutorial and I see it advances 5 cutters before starting to grind so I will modify my question to change the procedure by pausing the machine after the 5 count and then move the chain to start with the first cutter behind the double link. Ron