Does anyone do bar grinding and repair?

[Socalmisfit]

The title is suppose to say grinding not finding I can’t edit the title ‍

So I bought a pferd bar file, and a roller tool to bring the groove back to new. I used the file yesterday on my tsumara bar and it doesn’t want to file at all. I used it on a husky bar and it works perfect, takes noodles of metal off at a time. Not sure if the bar got hot or it’s just the metal they use. Bar looks straight, just won’t file. I’m gonna try it on a couple others I have today and see if there is any difference. Just wondering if anyone here has a bar shop or a bar grinder and does that kind of work. I can ship a few bars and get them done if it wouldn’t take too long. Or maybe invest in a bar grinder, so I can freshen up these bars when it is time. I’ve seen the grinder they have on baileys, but don’t know if there are other options out there.

 

[srcarr52]

The Tsumura and other high quality bars are too hard for the file to get a decent bite. A large disk sander with 80 grit works well. I've seen a few people use a disk sanding plate in a table saw for just a few bars.

 

[Cat 525]

You can also use a diamond flat file. Those rails are hard.

 

[Wilhelm]

A square grinding stone does the trick for me on those 2-3 really hard bars I own, one of them is a grey Oregon bar - Stihl flat file can't touch it.

Modern/nowadays files are just too damn soft!

 

[davidwyby]

Belt sander

 

[blades]

Some bars have hardened rails, used to be they all did. Files - there some real good ones out there but the stuff generaly at the various stores seems to be a lower grade. Nicholson was always a good brand last couple i bought were good anyway. as my disc sander is down right now I used a 1" belt sander, table type - but I had to play with it a bit. The bars will stand on there own on edge if done correctly. just did 4 bars. they stand on their own, but haven't had a chance to put them in wood yet. I did order some better quality bars that are supposed to have harden edges. will see when they arrive. these are not super expensive units.

 

[Duce]

Cannon, heavy and hard.

 

[Socalmisfit]

Thanks guys. I was looking and I can pick up a bench disc sander pretty cheap so I think that’s what I’ll go with. Or a table belt if I can find one.

 

[blades]

Cheap table saw off craigs list or the like. A 7"-10" old saw blade ( grind off teeth, not the real thin ones though) and stick on sanding discs works well . The larger table area makes it real easy vs those very small ones on those little disc sanders . been doing this stuff for more than 30 years learned a few tricks along the way. Backing plate on small belt sanders are not all that great and getting things to stay square is iffy.

 

[fearofpavement]

I use a 12" disc grinder and 6"x48" belt sander to bring bars back to life. It can really make a difference in getting additional life out of them... I spend probably less than 10 minutes to make one nice. (I don't paint them)