Automatic Chain Sharpener - Under $300

[rwoods]

@Gun I believe I have now answered my own question - it appears that every time the machine is started it advances 5 cutters. Ron

 

[Gun]

Thank you all for the questions and comments.

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.

Thank you for the warm welcome. Our company is also passionate about chainsaws, tools, power equipment, and in general anything that both pros and prosumers use for their work, hobby, or way of life. Why? Because most of us here use the equipment that we make, too. To be frank, everyone at the company hates a crappy product, especially when it gets in the way of a project, or worse, our livelihood. You guys commenting and asking questions helps me and the company do our job: improving the product so that it truly honors people who still work with their hands.

I want to be completely transparent with you: TEMCo Industrial LLC is an American company. The R&D for improvements, design, marketing, sales, order fulfillment, etc. are all proudly done here in Fremont, California. The manufacturing, and only the manufacturing, is done in China. We do this in order to keep the cost of the machine down, which allows us to pass those savings on to the customer, while also leaving a margin to pay all of our hard-working American employees. We also work directly with manufacturing to maintain our standards, so we're not sacrificing quality for cost.

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

Philbert

Thank you for your welcome and sparking this interest, Philbert. I'm happy to answer as many questions and address comments as possible.

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

I, for one, welcome our new robotic overlords; especially if they give us hot fresh coffee.

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.

If you had a machine that could just do both, that'd be ideal, correct?

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!

I mentioned before I cannot fully disclose our R&D, but we are aware of these types of improvements. My apologies for being so clandestine about this. One thing I can sort of talk about is the price point. All I can say is: get it at this price while you can!

Thanks for diggin the look of the machine!

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

We're still discussing here how to best approach this. To be honest, the current run of the FP1000 was limited for several reasons, like not knowing whether the market (that's you guys) even wanted something like this or not, and also so that we could listen to customers and potential customers (again, you guys!) and see what we could do to make a revision even better. Because we have a limited inventory, we'll need to discuss this some more.

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.

You will have to inspect the chain for damaged cutters before putting it on the FP1000. Damaged cutters shouldn't be used on the FP1000.

A proximity sensor detects left and right cutters, so it will sense which side the grinder head needs to be on.

Before operating, the user will have to count how many cutters the chain has and input it into the machine. This is so that the machine knows how many cuts it needs to make.

I don't think you're being skeptical, unless somehow you are doubtful of my response. I think these are good questions you're asking. I'd be happy to alleviate any other questions you might have.

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

To explain why the machine wont do skip links, here's how the FP1000 works:

1. Prep and calibration, like inspecting the chain for damages, counting the cutters, getting the right angle and pitch of the cutters.
2. When you hit start, the machine will then advance exactly five chains in order to calibrate the advance arm's push distance. This tells the machine how far apart the cutters are.
3. After this calibration, it begins sharpening.
4. During the process, left or right side cutters are detected with a proximity sensor. This tells the grinder head which side to flip to on the next grind.
5. This process repeats until the number of cutters heads input are sharpened.

As you can see, the machine won't do so well with semi skips or full skips, but you can do something a little creative (as you just mentioned) to get you most of the way there if you have a single skip on your hands.

 

[homemade]

I just seen this unit for sale at the local fleet farm. It was for $449.00. Under the timber tuff brand.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/ti...MImaSVu7Cy3wIVBrXACh3_LQLbEAQYAiABEgJtvfD_BwE

 

[rwoods]

Thanks, Gun. Ron

 

[Gun]

It's currently 7PM (PST) here in California, which means it's time for me to clock out and enjoy the weekend. As such, I apologize I will not be able to respond until Monday, when I will be back in the office.

I'd like to note something here, something really important to me and our company: what helps us grow and make a better product is your technical criticism. I've read a lot so far, and I am truly grateful. Please, please, continue to comment, ask questions, and make suggestions based on your particular headaches you've experienced with automatic (or any, really) chain sharpener. I want all of you to know that we take technical criticism very seriously and read and consider every single one. We want to improve the FP1000 and keep it affordable so that you don't have to break the bank just so that you can quickly get back to doing the honest and hard work all of you do.

Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend.

 

[Philbert]

. . .what helps us grow and make a better product is your technical criticism. . . I want all of you to know that we take technical criticism very seriously and read and consider every single one. . . .

If you can get a chainsaw product to pass with these guys, trade shows and direct sales should be easy!

Seriously, we appreciate getting straight, accurate information; many manufacturers are reluctant to participate directly in these types of threads. We are passionate, but not that scary!

Philbert

 

[Brian Thacker]

Gun, do you know if there is plans to offer a .404 .063 version?

Brian

 

[Gun]

Hey guys. I'm back for the day. Just to note my schedule again: I will be off tomorrow for the Christmas holiday and will return the day after to answer any questions.

Gun, do you know if there is plans to offer a .404 .063 version?

Brian

Thanks for the question, Brian. I hate to do this to you because I'm personally excited about the developments we're making, but R&D is not something I can talk about. I wish I could say more. The most I can say is that we realize a lot of people want .404 and .063, and we agree that it sure would be nifty if future models could accommodate that.

 

[KiwiBro]

Hi Gun,

Is this design your company's, did you guys private label it for timbertuff and what control do you have over the Chinese OEM to stop them selling it to others? I mean, if you haven't got that wrapped up watertight it's only a matter of time before every man and his dog is chucking their name on it and flicking it off on Ebay.

 

[Gun]

Hi Gun,

Is this design your company's, did you guys private label it for timbertuff and what control do you have over the Chinese OEM to stop them selling it to others? I mean, if you haven't got that wrapped up watertight it's only a matter of time before every man and his dog is chucking their name on it and flicking it off on Ebay.

Hi KiwiBro. I can't discuss the manufacturing process of the FP1000, but I can note that we do have complete control over the manufacturing process, changes, development, etc. I cannot discuss this in more detail because it pertains to R&D, but on top of what we are developing, we don't think companies are going to provide the kind of support, both customer and technical, that is required for a product like this.

 

[Philbert]

Interesting . . . LOTS of discussion about this product on another forum. Pretty quiet here.

Phibert

 

[homemade]

When they come out with 3/8, then I’ll talk.

 

[Philbert]

Specs say 3/8 low profile; .325; and full size 3/8 pitch. 0.043 and 0.050 gauges.

Philbert

 

[Gun]

When they come out with 3/8, then I’ll talk.

Specs say 3/8 low profile; ,325; and full size 3/8 pitch. 0.043 and 0.050 gauges.

Philbert

Thanks for clearing that up, Philbert.

 

[homemade]

Must have missed that.... sorry. I’ll talk now. What do you want to hear.

 

[Gun]

Must have missed that.... sorry. I’ll talk now. What do you want to hear.

That you're looking for your credit card.

 

[KiwiBro]

but the credit card is .063 gauge, darn it.

 

[Gun]

but the credit card is .063 gauge, darn it.

 

[Big_Eddy]

@Gun - I was minutes away from ordering an Oregon sharpener when I came back here to read some of @Philbert's comments on their various models. Found this thread, and am ready to plop down 300 clams to purchase one of your PF1000s instead. I have one in my E-Bay cart ready to go. However I use 0.058" chain exclusively. I'm still willing to purchase one and modify it myself (mill 0.008" from the clamping surface??) to suit my 0.058" chains, if you think I have a reasonable chance of success.

Let me know what you think my chances are for an 0.058" mod when you get back next week and I'll pull the trigger. I'm more than happy to do a thorough review and will share my feedback here. Your 12 month no questions asked promise is more than fair. I'm a mechanical engineer by training and do new product introduction for my day job, so I appreciate and value your desire to work with end customers to enhance what looks like an already well thought out product.

(Hmmm - E-Bay doesn't seem to support shipments to Canada - and I can't seem to message through their platform)

 

[Gun]

@Gun - I was minutes away from ordering an Oregon sharpener when I came back here to read some of @Philbert's comments on their various models. Found this thread, and am ready to plop down 300 clams to purchase one of your PF1000s instead. I have one in my E-Bay cart ready to go. However I use 0.058" chain exclusively. I'm still willing to purchase one and modify it myself (mill 0.008" from the clamping surface??) to suit my 0.058" chains, if you think I have a reasonable chance of success.

Let me know what you think my chances are for an 0.058" mod when you get back next week and I'll pull the trigger. I'm more than happy to do a thorough review and will share my feedback here. Your 12 month no questions asked promise is more than fair. I'm a mechanical engineer by training and do new product introduction for my day job, so I appreciate and value your desire to work with end customers to enhance what looks like an already well thought out product.

(Hmmm - E-Bay doesn't seem to support shipments to Canada - and I can't seem to message through their platform)

I spoke with Justin, our engineer on this product, and he said that it would be possible for you to mod the slot to accommodate .058" chain. The clamp should also be able to accommodate it. Below are some images of the typical slot and clamp measurements.

He believes there is a reasonable chance of success.

I'll also enable shipments to Canada on that listing shortly.