grinder or hand file

[jhr]

hey when you guys sharpen your chains do you use a grinder or hand files. I have talked to a bunch of guys and they swear by both.... also how many times will you sharpen before you file your rakes????

 

[treeclimber165]

We've had this discussion many times, probably why no one is answering. Last time was only a couple weeks ago. This search brought up most of the threads.
http://www.arboristsite.com/search....id=18814&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

 

[jhr]

thanks Brian I didn't even know there was a search option... I'll look there before posting a new thread.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

hand files rule

 

[Dave]

Grinder???? in Rhode Island that's a sandwich. Repeat after me..... grinders are for eating, files are for sawchain.

 

[treeclimber165]

LMAO Dave!

 

[stihltech]

grinder or file

As long as the hand on the handle knows what it needs to do, either will work just fine.

 

[chainsawworld]

a file is the BEST way! marty

 

[24d]

its in here

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=45116

 

[GASoline71]

File. Become one with the chain grasshopper...opcorn:

Gary

 

[Bowtie]

For what I do, my Granberg file-n-joint is the best money. I cut around 20 cords a year plus any side work I can employ my saws to do. I cant justify buying a grinder as I dont use my saws all day every day. If time isnt always of the essence, thats the way to go in my opinion.

 

[PA Plumber]

I swing both ways on this one.

Grinder for my 18" and 16" chains used for limbing and woodcutting. Easy to get rocked chains and it only takes about 12 minutes to sharpen a small chain with a grinder.

Hand file for my 24 inchers. Wicked sharp, I don't get in the dirt or rocks very often and did I mention it gets wicked sharp?

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

I file with a Granberg, I wish I had a bench mounted jig that has a vice to better lock the chains tight when I do file. Also, when I want to hit up some chains, I don't want to swap them on and off the saw...

 

[LarryTheCableGuy]

...I wish I had a bench mounted jig that has a vice to better lock the chains tight when I do file.

I have wanted something like that also.

.

 

[brncreeper]

+1 on filling, I use a Sharp Force (Pferd). Takes care of the rakes too. Grinders can really screw up a chain.

 

[livewire]

+1 on filling, I use a Sharp Force (Pferd). Takes care of the rakes too. Grinders can really screw up a chain.

Grinders don't screw up chains...PEOPLE with grinders screw up chains...

I grind most often but I've found that it takes just as long for me to grind as it does to hand file (I go slow). The grinder is more consistant so......

 

[Scandy14]

+1 for the Grandberg

I've had good results with the Grandberg File-N-Joint. The first time I used it, I was pleased/surprised the chain cut better than when it was new. The chain was throwing nice big chips............no saw dust!

 

[SawTroll]

hey when you guys sharpen your chains do you use a grinder or hand files. I have talked to a bunch of guys and they swear by both.... also how many times will you sharpen before you file your rakes????

A couple of times, maybe 4 or 5, depending on how much you file off - more if it is just one or two stroke touch-ups. Oregon chains need raker adjustment more often than Stihl ones, as the cutters descends at a faster rate.

Forget the grinder, unless you rock out the chains - totally different story......:greenchainsaw:

 

[precaud]

I haven't had my grinder long, but I find myself still relying on files for the daily grind I mean sharpening and view the grinder as a sort of "reset button", to bring all the cutters back to the same length and shape.

 

[oldsaw]

File. Become one with the chain grasshopper...opcorn:

Gary

Perfect. Yes, I agree.

Mark