New Chain Sharpener

[Pa Pa Jack]

I bought one of these when I got into cutting more firewood. I was terrible at sharpening by hand and the local dealership puts the chain on an automatic sharpener that means you only get it sharpened twice and it's worn out.

I am very impressed with the ease of use and the sharpness of the chain. I put an old bar in the vice and go. I'll sit in the shop listening to the radio and really enjoy it. It seems that the chains stay sharp a lot longer. I do cut a lot of dirty wood but try to be careful. This has been a very good investment. Has more than paid for itself already.

 

[danl]

Been thinking about this sharpener for a while now. I may decide to get one to go along with my new saw. Are there any retail stores or dealers that carry this product or does it have to be bought online?

How many times can you sharpen, lets say a 25" chain before the cutter needs to be replaced. How much quicker is this vs. hand filing? I realize the first time you use it, it will take some time to get everything set up right.

Sorry if these questions have already been answered, didn't feel like reading through every post.

You can buy on Amazon. But I called the company and the owner took my order and gave me a discount because I said I read about it on arboristsite.

I read somewhere the inventor owner had used one cutter on over 100 chains and was still fine.

It is not faster than hand filing unless you factor in having to refile because you did it wrong. I would not part with mine.
I ran my 044 into gravel Saturday (not on purpose) and had to make two passes to get it straightened back up.

 

[memory]

I am guessing there are no retail stores that carry these? I wouldn't mind looking at one before I bought it. How much of a discount did you get? Is there any type of promo code right now for this?

That is hard to believe that the cutters can last that long.

 

[MGoBlue]

I saved $25. "Like" Timberline on Facebook for a $15 off code.
PM sent...

 

[Gologit]

I am guessing there are no retail stores that carry these? I wouldn't mind looking at one before I bought it. How much of a discount did you get? Is there any type of promo code right now for this?

That is hard to believe that the cutters can last that long.

The cutters are carbide and if your chain isn't badly rocked or extremely dull it doesn't take much pressure to sharpen the chain. A lot of guys take off way too much metal when they're sharpening.

All a regular chain needs is a light touch. In good light you can see the metal coming off of the chain as it sharpens.

I haven't kept track of how many chains one carbide bit will sharpen but it's a bunch.

 

[Philbert]

I haven't kept track of how many chains one carbide bit will sharpen but it's a bunch.

? I thought you were a square-ground kind of guy ?

Philbert

 

[Gologit]

? I thought you were a square-ground kind of guy ?

Philbert

:msp_rolleyes: Well, I used to be. Until I retired and sold my grinder. I should have kept it.

I suck at hand filing square and retirement has become semi-retirement...but I'm not buying another grinder. I don't cut nearly as much as I used to, usually, and Oregon 75JGX or LGX is good chain and is easy to round file.

And one of these days I am going to retire. :biggrin:

 

[danl]

The cutters are carbide and if your chain isn't badly rocked or extremely dull it doesn't take much pressure to sharpen the chain. A lot of guys take off way too much metal when they're sharpening.

All a regular chain needs is a light touch. In good light you can see the metal coming off of the chain as it sharpens.

I haven't kept track of how many chains one carbide bit will sharpen but it's a bunch.

I agree, I am taking a whole lot less off the chain than I did hand filing. It also stays sharper longer.

 

[danl]

I am guessing there are no retail stores that carry these? I wouldn't mind looking at one before I bought it. How much of a discount did you get? Is there any type of promo code right now for this?

That is hard to believe that the cutters can last that long.

I don't know of anywhere to look at one. It is not a piece of junk though, it is very solid and well made. IMO

 

[memory]

I don't know of anywhere to look at one. It is not a piece of junk though, it is very solid and well made. IMO

I figured no stores carried them, too much of a specialty item, I guess. I think I am going to get one. I can get $25 off so that helps out as well. Just curious, how do they ship their stuff, UPS, USPS or Fedex? Doesn't really matter too much as long as it is not USPS first class mail.

I plan on getting the 13/64 and 3/16 cutter. Since the cutters lasts so long, should I get a extra one of each?

 

[Preston]

I think in order for the piece to be sold in saw shops it would have to be promoted. That cost will probably prohibit it. So they're sold by direct sales. That way you even get it cheaper.

 

[Fish]

Carbide cutters last a reeeaaaalll long time, I wouldn't buy extra cutters.

 

[danl]

I figured no stores carried them, too much of a specialty item, I guess. I think I am going to get one. I can get $25 off so that helps out as well. Just curious, how do they ship their stuff, UPS, USPS or Fedex? Doesn't really matter too much as long as it is not USPS first class mail.

I plan on getting the 13/64 and 3/16 cutter. Since the cutters lasts so long, should I get a extra one of each?

He shipped mine Priority mail. I ordered on a Friday and had it Monday all the way from Idaho or Utah. can't remember.

 

[REJ2]

One sound reason for buying extra cutters, even if they are long lasting, is maybe Timberline might not be so long lasting. Who knows how long they might exist in today's economy. The cutters look proprietary to say the least. The jig would be useless without the cutters. Carbide can be brittle, drop one, might get damaged, or lose one.

 

[memory]

One sound reason for buying extra cutters, even if they are long lasting, is maybe Timberline might not be so long lasting. Who knows how long they might exist in today's economy. The cutters look proprietary to say the least. The jig would be useless without the cutters. Carbide can be brittle, drop one, might get damaged, or lose one.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Although I also thought if they are as great as everyone says they are, then maybe they will be around for a while.

 

[Preston]

Just because someone has a good product does not mean enough items can be sold to keep above water. I've seen um go down before that I though really had it going on. Does Timberline have other products they sell?

 

[memory]

I think they do sell knives unless it is a different company. I am not sure what else they sell.

I will probably buy an extra one to be on the safe side.

Another question, how does this sharpener compare to a higher quality grinder? I have the cheap HF one myself, I know it will do better than that. But I know someone that has an Oregon grinder, not sure of the model. How does it compare to the really high quality grinders like the Silvey's?

 

[Philbert]

Another question, how does this sharpener compare to a higher quality grinder? I have the cheap HF one myself, I know it will do better than that. But I know someone that has an Oregon grinder, not sure of the model. How does it compare to the really high quality grinders like the Silvey's?

One of the issues with sharpening is that not all files are 'the same', and not all grinding wheels are 'the same'. There are trade-offs between speed of cut, smoothness of finish, life of the file/grinding wheel, etc. The different grinders you mention might make less of a difference (assuming that they run true) than the wheels used. Then, of course, there is the skill of the user!

I have watched this thread with interest, and would like the chance to see/try one of the Timberline sharpeners some day. It appears to provide a finished tooth that posters here have been impressed with, without too much fuss. But you are also limited to a few, specific choices.

With a grinder I can change a number of the sharpening angles (if I want/need to) for different chains or different types of cutting. I can put on different wheels (although, some are hard to get) to grind quicker, or to provide a smoother finish, if that is important. Same with filing - I could start with a coarse file for really rocked chain, then finish with a smoother file. But this all assumes that I want to do this or that it is important.

My bottom line has always been for people to find something that works for them. I have only see positive things posted in this thread, so I have to assume that it works for a lot of guys.

Philbert

 

[Gologit]

Another question, how does this sharpener compare to a higher quality grinder? I have the cheap HF one myself, I know it will do better than that. But I know someone that has an Oregon grinder, not sure of the model. How does it compare to the really high quality grinders like the Silvey's?

There are two things I look for in a chain sharpener...sharp and fast. If I have to sharpen chains after work I want good results without being exiled to the garage all evening.

As nearly as I can tell the Timberline will put as good an edge on a chain as a grinder. I can get a slightly better edge if I hand file but the increase is so small that most people wouldn't notice. The extra time it takes isn't usually worth it.

The Timberline, once you get used to it, is faster than hand filing and your teeth will be consistent in angle and size. It's not quite as fast as a grinder if you need to do a dozen.. but if you're only doing a couple of chains, or the same chain over and over it's just as quick.

The Silvey is a fine machine, the Oregon not quite as good but perfectly acceptable. But unless you're doing a lot of chains, or just feel like having another gadget to play with (don't we all?) they're not really cost effective.

 

[Fish]

I think that the cutters are produced by a third party, and should be able to be found....

It is cute that most of you guys think the world revolves around chainsaws......