Simple Chain Filing Vise

[Philbert]

I like chain filing vises. They let users sharpen precisely, indoors, without them having to be mounted on the saw.

Saw this on a Facebook forum, and sharing it here. Low tech. Easy to make with basic tools.



The poster (Paul Codner) directed folks to a YouTube video (by Herrick Kimball), which I am linking below.


* Notes:

1. The poster substituted cam-lock bolts, for bicycle seat posts, that he purchased on Amazon.

2. The hole spacing that the designer discusses will vary with chain pitch, but these are simple enough that you can make a few, if that is an issue.

Original YouTube video:

PDF download (scroll to find this project):
https://222218.e-junkie.com/

Philbert

 

[Sloughfoot]

Interesting. I've gotta get something. Putting a chain back on just to sharpen feels silly.

 

[Philbert]

I posted a lot of these on AS: lots of creative, homemade versions.

You may not have the saw to work off of; might have chains from multiple saws, or multiple chains for a single saw; might not want to bring a gassed up saw into a home workshop; etc.

Guys who are fussy about their chain (e.g. racers) also like the control a vise provides.

I have made a few versions. Here is an example: ‘Philbert’s Lower-Tech Chain Vise’.



Philbert

 

[Sloughfoot]

I posted a lot of these on AS: lots of creative, homemade versions.

You may not have the saw to work off of; might have chains from multiple saws, or multiple chains for a single saw; might not want to bring a gassed up saw into a home workshop; etc.

Guys who are fussy about their chain (e.g. racers) also like the control a vise provides.

I have made a few versions. Here is an example: ‘Philbert’s Lower-Tech Chain Vise’.

View attachment 474326

Philbert

This is giving me some cheap ideas to try.

 

[Jusgunn3]

I usually put the saw in the vice or a stump vice [which is not the best] but do ok. I tend to swamp chains and grind a bunch of them together but either way its work.

 

[Sloughfoot]

I'm going to try putting two ~16" pieces of angle iron in my vise and clamping that length of chain drivers between them.

 

[SimonHS]

I posted a lot of these on AS: lots of creative, homemade versions.

You may not have the saw to work off of; might have chains from multiple saws, or multiple chains for a single saw; might not want to bring a gassed up saw into a home workshop; etc.

Guys who are fussy about their chain (e.g. racers) also like the control a vise provides.

I have made a few versions. Here is an example: ‘Philbert’s Lower-Tech Chain Vise’.

View attachment 474326

Philbert

Didn't you make one from slotted PVC pipe? With the slot at the correct filing angle.

 

[IffykidMn]

I have been clamping a spare or a cut off length of junk bar in the bench vice.