My brother-in-law had one when I was working in Southeast Alaska, and I used it a few times...didn't think much of it; by the time I got it set up I could have had my rakers filed using a Carlton file-o-plate, which is what I have always used when my chains get about halfway, just to keep them cutting true. I have a Silvey pro sharp that I can use the file-o-plate and a good sharp flat file and file my rakers while the chain is on my grinder, then I grind the teeth, works great, and a hell of a lot cheaper than that raker grinder.
My brother-in-law had one when I was working in Southeast Alaska, and I used it a few times...didn't think much of it; by the time I got it set up I could have had my rakers filed using a Carlton file-o-plate, which is what I have always used when my chains get about halfway, just to keep them cutting true. I have a Silvey pro sharp that I can use the file-o-plate and a good sharp flat file and file my rakers while the chain is on my grinder, then I grind the teeth, works great, and a hell of a lot cheaper than that raker grinder.
Yeah, full comp chain can take more time, but that is what I ran most of the time on a 32" bar, any longer and I usually ran full skip, with a little semi-skip thrown in. I remember thinking though how cool it would be to have one of those raker grinders until I used my brother-in-laws. Also My Dad has a Ziegelmeyer raker grinder that I used when I was younger, which I would have to say worked better than the silvey, but I will still use my method.
:agree2:Especially busheling! There is nothing better than putting on a money making, laser ground chain, and using it to perform busheling glory!
Silvy square is sharper than out of the box.
Yep. I'm with ya, hammerlogging. I sharpen my chain straight out of the box. 2 swipes.
There is no comparing my "grind" to a factory grind. That being said, grinding takes patience, and time to master just like chisel filing. You MUST set up your grinder correctly, and learn how to use it by figuring out what angles work best for the conditions and wood you are in, and make SURE that you are in the corner...not below it, and definately not above it...but, IN the corner; dress the wheel often, and you would be amazed at the difference between the two. I have always prided my hand filing ability and I put it to the test, by using a hand filed chain in a logging contest in Southeast Alaska, because I was sure that I could make it cut faster than my grind. I spent forever filing that chain, and my Brother-in-law who had the exact same grinder as me, and excellent judgement on how a chain should cut; ground his chain...he beat me by a tenth of a second. The next year I spent just as much time setting up my grinder and ground my race chain...I smoked everybody for the next two years until I moved away. I was a busheling for Columbia when I bought my grinder, and chisel filing before that...I made way more money after the grinder purchase. If you are a day-wager, I guess it would not matter.
the best faller i know recently purchased a grinder and says he will never round file again,and that dude can file,as soon as the my budget allows i will be in the market...
