High Quality Chainsaw Bars Husqvarna Toys Hockfire Saws

Chain Sharpening

Woodrow

Reynolds Crane - Home of Ported and Polished Saws
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
348
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Messages
2,348
Reaction score
19,601
Location
Wisconsin
Country flag
What does everyone think of the Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener?

I am new to sharpening my own chains. Is the way to get started with a Granberg File N Joint or the likes? I have a couple of Stihl 3/8 .050 safety chains to learn on before I graduate to some of my really good RS and LGX chains.

What are your thoughts?
 

Gunn

Yay sawz
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
529
Joined
Jan 13, 2016
Messages
503
Reaction score
939
Location
Plover wi
Country flag
For the price of a timberline you're almost at the price of a decent used grinder.

The file and joint has several pro's going for it. They're more economical, more versatile, more adjustable, and replacing a file is mega cheap.
 

CR888

Here For The Long Haul!
Local time
1:58 PM
User ID
452
Joined
Jan 9, 2016
Messages
2,622
Reaction score
10,583
Location
Australia
Country flag
They are good but expensive and you need to buy pricey burrs when they eventually wear. I'd buy a Oregon style 510/511 style knockoff and a bunch of files and maybe a granberg unit with the same money a timberline costs. If you want to learn properly how to sharpen in the field a hand file is the best way to go. If you don't know how to file and learn on a timberline you will never know how to use a file and many wouod agree being at least a decent hand filer is important if you want to play with saws.
 

Hedgerow

ONE OF THE GREATEST.....LONG LEGGED MIDGETS
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
316
Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
12,300
Reaction score
78,922
Location
SW MO
Country flag
What does everyone think of the Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener?

I am new to sharpening my own chains. Is the way to get started with a Granberg File N Joint or the likes? I have a couple of Stihl 3/8 .050 safety chains to learn on before I graduate to some of my really good RS and LGX chains.

What are your thoughts?
The granberg file n joint is a great tool for a beginning filer.
A bit of a contraption though.
Lol
 

Hedgerow

ONE OF THE GREATEST.....LONG LEGGED MIDGETS
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
316
Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
12,300
Reaction score
78,922
Location
SW MO
Country flag
Learn to hand file them and save the chains. Grinders eat chains.
This may often be the case in the hands of a caveman, but it doesn't necessarily have to be so in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.
And why they do what they do.
 

Hedgerow

ONE OF THE GREATEST.....LONG LEGGED MIDGETS
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
316
Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
12,300
Reaction score
78,922
Location
SW MO
Country flag
I even break out my father's old Granberg every now and then..
A little slower and more persnickety, but still delivers a great end product.
I guess it's more of a trip down memory lane than worrying about how much time it takes to get to the destination.
I file or grind almost every day.
On something.
Whether it needs it or not.
Lol.
 

jakethesnake

I Am The Snake
Local time
11:58 PM
User ID
786
Joined
Feb 5, 2016
Messages
7,553
Reaction score
20,062
Location
Here & Now
Country flag
I agree I like all methods I'm no master at any but can take a file free hand and do better than most I run into around here not this site but round my home I've been thinking of a grand burg just to have also a carlton fil o plate for rakers I use the oregon guide it's so so ... Usually just swipe at em with a file
 

CR500

Pinnacle OPE Member
Local time
11:58 PM
User ID
745
Joined
Jan 31, 2016
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,674
Location
Western NY
Country flag
I have a cheap grinder for rocked chains and for the occasional customer.

However I prefer the granberg and the FG2, I also have an ATOP that I am still fooling around with.

I am still on the look out for a good used square grinder for a reasonable price if anyone has anything.

Sent from my non internal combustion device.
 

CTYank

Killer of Invasives
Local time
11:58 PM
User ID
1157
Joined
Apr 13, 2016
Messages
67
Reaction score
116
Location
CT Panhandle
I use Granberg guide exclusively for my chains, 'cept for rocked ones. That's for sharpening the cutters as best I can do them.
For the depth gauges, I first check a few with a flat file and Oregon depth-gauge guide- the kind you set on tops of two successive cutters. If there was nothing removed, done. Else, put a 6" flat file in the Granberg guide, set it for .025" depth-gauges and hit 'em a few licks. Done
For others' chains, a NT knock-off grinder can be induced to do a decent job for a $100 grinder. Side-play lets you control metal-removal a lot.
 

Hedgerow

ONE OF THE GREATEST.....LONG LEGGED MIDGETS
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
316
Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
12,300
Reaction score
78,922
Location
SW MO
Country flag
I use Granberg guide exclusively for my chains, 'cept for rocked ones. That's for sharpening the cutters as best I can do them.
For the depth gauges, I first check a few with a flat file and Oregon depth-gauge guide- the kind you set on tops of two successive cutters. If there was nothing removed, done. Else, put a 6" flat file in the Granberg guide, set it for .025" depth-gauges and hit 'em a few licks. Done
For others' chains, a NT knock-off grinder can be induced to do a decent job for a $100 grinder. Side-play lets you control metal-removal a lot.
Side play...
This is truth.
AKA, "flex".
Take the bare minimum to clean the cutting edges.
And keep yer stone clean.
 

Wood Doctor

Edwin
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
846
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
2,497
Reaction score
8,722
Location
Omaha, Nebraska
Country flag
I even break out my father's old Granberg every now and then..
A little slower and more persnickety, but still delivers a great end product.
I guess it's more of a trip down memory lane than worrying about how much time it takes to get to the destination.
I file or grind almost every day.
On something.
Whether it needs it or not.
Lol.
Rainy day, so I brought out my Granberg 12-volt grinder today and found a good stone. Man that thing works better than I ever remembered. Plus, it was fun. Sharpening on the bar is sometimes a real plus. Ask any logger who files sharpens long chains out in the sticks.
 

CoreyB

Yep I am your neighborhood coffee man
Local time
10:58 PM
User ID
686
Joined
Jan 26, 2016
Messages
1,842
Reaction score
4,540
Location
South east iowa
I use the Oregon version of the Granberg file n joint. Set up takes me a bit to get right and is not a fast job. But I do get Sharp chains that cut straight. A pair of calipers come in real handy to get everything even. But man it takes me a long time. There is also a bit more of a learning curve then I expected.
 

RI Chevy

Mastermind Approved!
Local time
11:58 PM
User ID
1254
Joined
May 7, 2016
Messages
27,002
Reaction score
67,779
Location
earth
Country flag
Why is it that some advertise this?

5/32" files are used to sharpen 1/4" pitch and 3/8" Low Profile (Picco) chainsaw chain.

3/16" files are used to sharpen .325" pitch chainsaw chain.

13/64" files are used to sharpen 3/8" pitch chainsaw chain.

7/32" files are used to sharpen .404" pitch chainsaw and harvester chain.

When some say that it is OK to use 7/32" to sharpen 3/8" pitch chain? What's the real deal here?
 

CR500

Pinnacle OPE Member
Local time
11:58 PM
User ID
745
Joined
Jan 31, 2016
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,674
Location
Western NY
Country flag
Why is it that some advertise this?

5/32" files are used to sharpen 1/4" pitch and 3/8" Low Profile (Picco) chainsaw chain.

3/16" files are used to sharpen .325" pitch chainsaw chain.

13/64" files are used to sharpen 3/8" pitch chainsaw chain.

7/32" files are used to sharpen .404" pitch chainsaw and harvester chain.

When some say that it is OK to use 7/32" to sharpen 3/8" pitch chain? What's the real deal here?

I use 7/32 on my 3/8 chain, I find it fits the cutter better

Sent from my non internal combustion device.
 
Top