Cheap Chain grinder

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Patrick62 said:
I was happy with my little "Nick the plastic grinder" until I observed that a poorly done hand sharpening was out cutting me. That meant the PlasNick wasn't holding the angles very well. With careful adjustment and a delicate hand the little grinder can produce a workable edge.

My upgrade to the 511A was like night and day. Very sturdy machine. Larger diameter wheel means straighter edge. More adjustments that once set will allow me to create a very sharp tooth and duplicate it all the way around. The other neet thing is that the left and right cutters are the same!!! That is something that the PlasNick had trouble doing.

-Pat
don't give up on the plastic grinder too fast as they can be used as a raker grinder. Get a thicker wheel, profile it to the desired shape and then you can use the stop to adjust the raker highth evenly and quickly.
 
klickitatsacket said:
don't give up on the plastic grinder too fast as they can be used as a raker grinder. Get a thicker wheel, profile it to the desired shape and then you can use the stop to adjust the raker highth evenly and quickly.

That exactly what we are going to do... We have a Stihl USG and a 511. The plastic wonder is just going to be set up for rakers.
 
klickitatsacket said:
BTW Andy, I bought one of the ultra sonic cleaners for carburetors and LOVE IT. Thanks for the info on that.


Sure raises the odds closer to 100%! Haven't had to knock out welch plugs in over a year!
 
klickitatsacket said:
BTW Andy, I bought one of the ultra sonic cleaners for carburetors and LOVE IT. Thanks for the info on that.


What brand is that Dean?!?!?!?! I bought a harbour frieght special just for that a couple years ago, it won't even clean the dust off my watch!!!!!:angry2:
I also used to use the nick all the time, until I learned hand filing, no comparison between the two. I now hand file unless I hit something and have to regring the whole chain.
Andy
 
klickitatsacket said:
BTW Andy, I bought one of the ultra sonic cleaners for carburetors and LOVE IT. Thanks for the info on that.


Im currently in the market for one of these also. What brands are you guys using? W or WO heat? Cost?



We have a safety clean at work witch is great but its allmost a grand.
 
I use mine for re-profiling chains for ripping, or fixing up a bunged up chain. All other sharpening is hand done since it is faster and I don't even have to really think about it.

t. anderson is right, it is a bit flexible, but take quick bites with one steady final pass and it works great. For a sharpening, just the pass would work fine. I don't have the patience to use it for regular sharpening.

Mark

Yeah, I'd love a real one, but I'm not dropping $200+ at this point. My next free $200+ buys a roll of chain.
 
When using a full chisel chain, I tough up to cutters every tank of gas. Chipper chain, I touch it up every 2 tanks of gas.
 
klickitatsacket said:
don't give up on the plastic grinder too fast as they can be used as a raker grinder. Get a thicker wheel, profile it to the desired shape and then you can use the stop to adjust the raker highth evenly and quickly.

Washington Hot Saws is by far, my favorite eBay store! It is truly awsome!
 
RaisedByWolves said:
Im currently in the market for one of these also. What brands are you guys using? W or WO heat? Cost?



We have a safety clean at work witch is great but its allmost a grand.


No heat - not required. I use Coleman lantern fluid - doesn't smell bad and works well with carbs.

I have a couple in my workshop - one large enough for most of a saw, but this one ($60 +/-) is the one we've been using daily for carbs and small parts for over a year...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LARGE-DIGITAL-U...930700865QQcategoryZ67720QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
Waste of money

I cut 25 face cords last summer using my 028 Woodboss.

Two chains, one bar, one sprocket, and about 6 files and one depth gauge. The chains are still good for maybe one more summer, and I'll need a new sprocket.

All you need to do is set up a sharpening area with good light and that will keep the saw steady. Always use sharp files - when they're dull it becomes harder to take the same amount off each cutter, at least that's my experience. It helps to get the file holders with pre-scored angles on the face, so you can easily line up the file at the right angle.

I got so I could sharpen that chain so that Woodboss could pull through just about anything that wasn't too big for its 16" bar. My sharpening jobs compared in cutting ability to a new chain. I got this saw last year with a box of ~20 used chains, it looks like the previous owner just put on a new chain instead of sharpening! LOL! So at this rate the Woodboss will wear out before I run out of chains.

I tried one of those Oregon file holders that clamps to the bar - what a total piece of ????ing junk. No matter what, it would not file the teeth evenly on each side. After I threw that POS in the garbage I finally learned how to sharpen by hand.
 
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