Grinder Comparison Thread

[Philbert]

This thread is for members to compare different chain sharpening grinders:

- what they like about specfic brands or models;

- what they don’t like;

- differences between models;

- questions for current users;

- accessories and modifications;

- etc.

@Wilhelm can say what he likes about his MAXX. I can say what I don’t like about the clones. People can compare differences between similar Oregon and Tecomec models.

Folks with Foley and Silvey grinders can chime in.

Philbert

 

[EFSM]

I like my Franzen automatic. Does anyone else have one?

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Stihl USG here, as my main grinder. Bought from a member and once I got used to the thing going the opposite direction of the Oregon 520 it replaced I like it a lot.
I have an Amazon Vevor just for rakers as it has a bit more play in it for anything more.

Looking to add an Ore 530 model for 3/4” harvester chains.
If anyone has one for sale, let me know

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

I've got the 410 one from Oregon. Once you get it diled in right it's pretty good for the guy doing half a dozen chains a week. I'm running the green tecomec wheels and they seem to do good. I still get better results touching it up with a hand file.

 

[president]

usg, with cbn and use new angles as per the updated
sheet . Its the primo grinder!

 

[Cheato]

usg, with cbn and use new angles as per the updated
sheet . Its the primo grinder!

Could you point me to the "new angles as per the updated sheet?" My apologies if I missed something. Thank you!

 

[president]

I rerad a discussion on the chainsaw grinder thread
6 months ago and it should be there.It states that for
3/8 the T/_ should be used oppositly to the old recomendations

 

[Hinerman]

I rerad a discussion on the chainsaw grinder thread
6 months ago and it should be there.It states that for
3/8 the T/_ should be used oppositly to the old recomendations

I cannot find it. Can you be more specific on the location of the information you are referring to? Like a page number or post number with the specific thread.

 

[KS Plainsman]

I have a Tecomec Super Jolly, and a Tecomec Jolly Star. Both are setup with an air nozzle to help with overheating cutters.

I got the Super Jolly first, because I thought it would be faster, and it is a little bit, but I find the chain rocks up a bit as the clamp closes. Not a huge deal, because I just use my hand to put and keep the chain in place as the clamp closes, but it would be nice to not have to do that every tooth.

Then I got the Jolly Star to see if it was better, or if it had the same issue. I don't have the same issue on it, and it's not much slower at all. Especially, considering that I'm not grinding chain as a business.

Ultimately, I put the wider wheel for rakers on the Super Jolly, and use the Jolly Star for grinding the cutters. A little roll up of the tooth, when grinding rakers isn't quite as huge of an issue for me.

I have CBN wheels I haven't used yet, and have the Tecomec white wheels I haven't used yet either. I'm still using up the original green and whatever color wheels came with the grinders first.

If I had it to do over, I would just get the Jolly Star, and pass on the Super Jolly. I'm not in that big of a hurry that the little bit of extra time is an issue.

 

[jacktheripper]

I have an Oregon 511a and a 511ax. I don’t use the a model very often, because the ax vise is waaaay better. They’re both pretty stout though!

 

[Junk Meister]

I have an Oregon 511a and a 511ax. I don’t use the a model very often, because the ax vise is waaaay better. They’re both pretty stout though!

The 511AX vise more USER FRIENDLY? or hold the chain better? I have 3 '511's But have yet to use one of them. Bought one used inherited 2 (1 NIB,1 Lightly used) from the family of a friend.

 

[Khntr85]

I have Oregon 520 and usg….like the usg for the teeth and Oregon for rakers…

Now I put that square jig on the Oregon, and I’m getting some great chains out of that setup…all
With cbn wheels!!!

 

[Philbert]

I have Oregon 520 and usg….like the usg for the teeth and Oregon for rakers…

I saw a post in another forum, whete the guy used MAXX grinders for sharpening, and his USG for depth gauges!

I see a lot of posts where people say they use their Oregon / Tecomec grinders for sharpening, snd a clone version for depth gauges.

Whatever works!

Philbert

 

[Khntr85]

I saw a post in another forum, whete the guy used MAXX grinders for sharpening, and his USG for depth gauges!

I see a lot of posts where people say they use their Oregon / Tecomec grinders for sharpening, snd a clone version for depth gauges.

Whatever works!

Philbert

Ya the usg is more precise for me, less slack/movement which mean more accuracy for me…the usg is tighter all around and I have them side my side….but you can can absolutely make a great chain on both just come down to what your more comfortable with in the end!!!

 

[singinwoodwackr]

I got my model 530 a while back. Seems this is the new 520 but with a much larger chain carrier for the 3/4” stuff. It will do the smaller chains as well but I will need to order the 520 set of jaws.

The good: sharpening 3/4” now is as easy and fast as 3/8, especially with the new Baltic 5/16” course wheel.
The bad…the “slider” is a complete misnomer. The gauge shows +/- 20mm when in reality it can only move 5mm, front and back. Frankly, Oregon should be sued for false advertising, imo. Also, the chain stop that came with it is for smaller chain, sigh… I had to cut it down 3/8” to be able to even sharpen the 3/4” chain…much less do rakers.
The not as bad…that 5mm seems to be enough for what I needed to do.
But, it is absolutely nothing like the slider on the USG, not even in the same ballpark. Sorry, Oregon…you farked up there.
Fortunately, for me, it won’t matter. Others, who are expecting something like the USG…forget it.

But…. The thing was $500 rather than $2500-3500, so I guess I can’t complain too much. It will pay for itself in 6mos.

I have ordered the “jaws” kit for smaller chains for $30 so it will eventually replace the Vervor as a main raker grinder. I really don’t have room for 3 machines.

 

[Khntr85]

I got my model 530 a while back. Seems this is the new 520 but with a much larger chain carrier for the 3/4” stuff. It will do the smaller chains as well but I will need to order the 520 set of jaws.

The good: sharpening 3/4” now is as easy and fast as 3/8, especially with the new Baltic 5/16” course wheel.
The bad…the “slider” is a complete misnomer. The gauge shows +/- 20mm when in reality it can only move 5mm, front and back. Frankly, Oregon should be sued for false advertising, imo. Also, the chain stop that came with it is for smaller chain, sigh… I had to cut it down 3/8” to be able to even sharpen the 3/4” chain…much less do rakers.
The not as bad…that 5mm seems to be enough for what I needed to do.
But, it is absolutely nothing like the slider on the USG, not even in the same ballpark. Sorry, Oregon…you farked up there.
Fortunately, for me, it won’t matter. Others, who are expecting something like the USG…forget it.

But…. The thing was $500 rather than $2500-3500, so I guess I can’t complain too much. It will pay for itself in 6mos.

I have ordered the “jaws” kit for smaller chains for $30 so it will eventually replace the Vervor as a main raker grinder. I really don’t have room for 3 machines.

View attachment 476067View attachment 476068View attachment 476071View attachment 476070

So they make Oregon 530 now??

 

[Philbert]

So they make Oregon 530 now??

They always had a model for 3/4” chain.

Or, you could buy the vise assembly and swap it out on one of their standard grinders.




I suppose if you only did a few 3/4” chains, you could just buy the vise and go back-and-forth. But that could get old quick!

EDIT: Of course, if you already had a second grinder, this could be a good option to consider.

Philbert

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Got the 520 jaws kit today.
However, the only parts that are different are the 2 posts. That's all I actually needed
The jaws are the same ones that came on the grinder.
At least I can now use it as a raker grinder when not doing 3/4" which was my goal
It replaces the Vevor that was doing that duty. The Vevor is now for sale

The smaller posts I got work great for 3/8 and 404, including the .080 18x Processor chain. This setup, however, is not great with the small 3/8 LP, especially. 043g. I haven't tried 1/4" but know it won't work
Smaller guage posts are needed for this little stuff.
I'll probably order another pair of posts and grind them down.