Review: New saw chain grinder - MAXX Grinder from Bailey's.

[ShadeTreeWelder]

I will have pictures later, they are a hassle to get loaded in the internet, due to problems at this end with my personal computer.

Okay in the end all worked out but I did have 2 issues; before I was able grind any chain.

The unit I choose to purchase was the MAXX Grinder, made in Italy. I purchased it from Bailey's. $359.99 with free shipping.

Bailey's - MAXX Chain Grinder

The first issue was the cast handle was broken on the first unit shipped to me, this was clearly due to the lack of packing material around the unit from the factory. I called Bailey's and they shipped a replacement back out to me the same day. Problem: "Bad Mfr's packing"; Solution: "Good customer service from Bailey's."

The second issue was encountered while setting up the machine. The grinding wheel has some side runout around 0.050". Way too much for my anal retentive personallity. So I removed the wheel and inspected it. It was not fractured or warped so the next was to indicate the shaft
runout and end play, both were under 0.0005". Next I placed the flange on the shaft and using several washers in place of the wheel and outer flange indicated the flange face. Ta Da! there was my issue 0.003 to 0.005" runout. Okay I know where the issue is now what; What is the actual issue and how do I fix it. The inner flange is aluminum and has been machined to fix the shaft, but is a little looser than I would want it to be. The real problem is (see the drawing) the flange is machined with small radius on the bore and the shaft has no shoulder for it to fit on. So there is no mating surface for the flange to locate off of. My solution was to chuck the flange in my lathe, indicate the bore in and machine a mating chamfer to the shaft. Solution worked but this should not be an issue with a new machine, but hey it's Italian what do you want. And a grand for a good Silvey was not in the budget. I was lucky to squeeze $350 out of SWMBO* on this one...

I do like the ability to grind outside in on both sides and so far the adjustments needed to swing from left to right seem simple enough however the guide finger does need some adjust for grinding to the same length.

There is a fair amount of plastic on the machine. I think over time I will machine some metal replacements for parts that should be more ridgid.

I did build a base for it so I can move from place to place and just clamp to which ever bench is most conveinent at the time for me.

Over all I would give it a 7 out of 10, overall a good value for the money but the quality of some components should be improved. I think they will (or not sell many units) mine was only serial number 200, the first unit was number 208. For a lower cost unit and a part-time cutter like me it is a serviceable unit.


*She who must be obeyed.

 

[ShadeTreeWelder]

It did come with the vise kit for .404 chain and 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" wheels and a dressing stick and allen wrench for changing wheels. As per the reviews on Bailey's the instructions are bad and they need to print a font size or 2 bigger.

 

[ShadeTreeWelder]

Well I got all my dull chains sharpened today, 8 total, all 3/8" pitch. 60-91 DL in length. I estimate that 1/3 of the cost of the grinders is covered by just sharpening those chains.

I made one more change on the grinder, the clamping knob for adjusting the grinder head angle. only hand one small washer on it with a heavy burr on it, I dug up couple of M10 hardened washers and replace the one from the factory.

The arm that holds the gauge finger for locating the cutters is plastic that will be replaced shortly with one milled out of steel.

 

[o8f150]

they will pay for itself faster then you think

 

[ShadeTreeWelder]

Well I got all my dull chains sharpened today, 8 total, all 3/8" pitch. 60-91 DL in length. I estimate that 1/3 of the cost of the grinders is covered by just sharpening those chains.

I made one more change on the grinder, the clamping knob for adjusting the grinder head angle. only hand one small washer on it with a heavy burr on it, I dug up couple of M10 hardened washers and replace the one from the factory.

The arm that holds the gauge finger for locating the cutters is plastic that will be replaced shortly with one milled out of steel.

All in all I am happy with the machine, easy to use, and repeatable. I do like the Molemab grinding wheels. I will have to call my buddies at Norton and see if they make a similar sized wheel out of white (32A) abrasive.

What did shock me on a couple of chains, what the utter crap sharpening job from the local dealer that was done. The dealer that I had used for years went out of business 2+ years ago family infighting led to the downfall. The owner had died and left the business to his wife and kids, well the son in law was running it and was doing a good job but the kids that were not involved kept wanting more and more money out of the biz and Mom gave it to them eventually it went under, idiocy. They had an semi retired machinist that came in 2 or 3 days a week to sharpen chains and tinker with various projects in the service shop. His work was as good or better than factory new chain, and they would make up loops for you.

Well new owners moved into the location and got the Stihl, Husky and Echo franchises, long story short, after a few dealing with them and particularly their horible service department, I will not grace their doorway again, it has been about a year, they seem to be doing a decent business but from what I hear none of the pro lawn and tree care people use them any more. I used them once to sharpen 2 or 3 chains, I had already decided before my run in with the service dept. that they could not sharpen a chain worth a poop. That should have told me something right there. Byw, none of the old employees have been picked by the new store but the place was empty for 6 months so that did not surprise me.

Anyway I will get off the rant and back to the crappy sharpening job, on the worst chain the left and right cutters were off by as much as 0.090" in length?!? on that chain and averaged 0.055" difference from left to right. Needless to say they are all with in 0.005" in length now...

 

[Somesawguy]

For that kind of money, I would hope that it didn't have those kind of design flaws.

 

[ShadeTreeWelder]

For that kind of money, I would hope that it didn't have those kind of design flaws.

I would concur on that, and I am sure that if I wanted to return it before I made any mods that
Bailey's would have been happy to take it back. I am very picky and wanted to give a full review
of it. I am one that often tweaks and modifies many of my tools or simple make my own as needed when I cannot find what I need or want.

But than again if I wanted all that out of a box I would have figured out a way to purchase a Silvey or similar machine.

 

[ShadeTreeWelder]

View attachment 241322View attachment 241323View attachment 241324View attachment 241325As promised Pictures.

The base is three layers of BC plywood (scraps) that were face glued and screwed together from the bottom. The dimmension is 24" wide and 10 inches deep I also drilled 3 holes to hold my paint marker, allen wrench and dressing stick. I am thinking of maybe adding a drawer later for wheel storage.

 

[nmurph]

Do yourself a huge favor and get a CBN wheel. I bought two from Edge and Engine for about $100ea. I really like that you don't have to tap-tap-tap to avoid getting the cutter hot. You also don't have to worry about changing the sharpening geometry bc of the wheel wearing away. Bailey's has some fancy ones, but for the average AS member, the E&E disc are very serviceable.

 

[angelo c]

Do yourself a huge favor and get a CBN wheel. I bought two from Edge and Engine for about $100ea. I really like that you don't have to tap-tap-tap to avoid getting the cutter hot. You also don't have to worry about changing the sharpening geometry bc of the wheel wearing away. Bailey's has some fancy ones, but for the average AS member, the E&E disc are very serviceable.

Murph,
you got a link to the CBN's you bought? That's s pretty good $ ...
A

 

[nmurph]

No. You can find them on the E&E's site.

 

[Frank Boyer]

Nice stand. I bolted a piece of 4" angle to the bottom and clamp that in my vise. I use the 1/4" wheel to do rakers. It takes a couple of tries to get the depth right, but after that a long chain is much quicker.

 

[ShadeTreeWelder]

the instructions are bad and they need to print a font size or 2 bigger.

Yes, they are poorly translated and very small print.

 

[PJF1313]

Murph,
you got a link to the CBN's you bought? That's s pretty good $ ...
A

Here's a link to E & E grinding wheel page :

Grinding Wheels & Stones - Chainsaw Sharpening - Tools & Accessories

 

[angelo c]

thanks Neil.

A

 

[Iffykid]

I would concur on that, and I am sure that if I wanted to return it before I made any mods that
Bailey's would have been happy to take it back. I am very picky and wanted to give a full review
of it. I am one that often tweaks and modifies many of my tools or simple make my own as needed when I cannot find what I need or want.

But than again if I wanted all that out of a box I would have figured out a way to purchase a Silvey or similar machine.

So what is your opinion after 10+ years?

I have a chance to pickup a lightly used MAXX for $100

Thanks