harrycatcat1 Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 Lidl have an electric chain saw sharpener for sale for £19.99. Does anyone use one and is it any good? The thing that I am trying to reconcile is that the manual file is round and the electric disk isn't. I didn't buy one as I wasn't sure if it would work. Sorry if this is in the wrong section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy69 Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 I use on on my sacrificial chains, i.e. chains which are very low or missing teeth which I use when likely to hit rock or dirt working around stumps or low on trunks on farms where there is likely to be wire. For general sharpening I find it as fast to just use a file and way better. However once you have hit a stone or bit of fencing wire it does a good enough job alot faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 I think the electric sharpener cuts in at an angle, into the groove where the file usually sits. The chain needs to be taken off to use the electric sharpener. Personally I use a Husqvarna kit which has a guide that sits on the chain and bar assembly and prevents the file cutting too deep into the links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 (edited) My dad has one for ease, it's real easy. He gets me to do it for him. I use a file and guide, I like the feel.of the vallorbe files as they cut and sharpen the teeth. One thing the electric ones don't do as far as I'm aware is take the rakes down. Have to say when I e done my dad's chain it is razor sharp. Edited September 21, 2020 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 A file (used properly and consistently) is better all round in my humble opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 The electric removes to much metal . Once you use one on a chain the heat becomes a problem on the teeth , so I am told , tempers it . Then you can't use a hand file. Not sure how true it is . I have a one of these the best I have found upto now , and I have tried a few . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 29 minutes ago, johnphilip said: The electric removes to much metal . Once you use one on a chain the heat becomes a problem on the teeth , so I am told , tempers it . Then you can't use a hand file. Not sure how true it is . I have a one of these the best I have found upto now , and I have tried a few . +1 i have one also, brilliant system and so easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 Johnphillip, They don't remove any metal at all until you wind the thread to take off as little as you want to. Only an idiot will blue the metal by taking too much and holding the disc on the metal too long. It's like me saying files are no good you can't get the angle right and they make all the teeth different lengths and shapes. In the hands of an idiot both are true. With a little care and knowledge they are both very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 For a hobby user those above files are the best things, keep ur rakers at correct hieght. U will hand sharpen a chain far quickier than u will with a grinder, esp by the time u take the chain off. I've got 2 chain grinders sitting in my she'd never used a cheap 1 and an Oregon 1, originally bought them for doing my 3ft milling chain. Still use normal files less hassle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 I think if you have a lot of chains to do electric sharpeners are great. For a touch up the flies are best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 The harvester driver I was cutting for today still sharpens all his chains by hand. Reckons grinders don't come close for sharpness or holding there edge, but not many drivers do that as they can get throu a few chains in a day and usually 60-80cm so plenty cutters to sharpen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, Zapp said: A file (used properly and consistently) is better all round in my humble opinion. 9 hours ago, scotslad said: The harvester driver I was cutting for today still sharpens all his chains by hand. Reckons grinders don't come close for sharpness or holding there edge, but not many drivers do that as they can get throu a few chains in a day and usually 60-80cm so plenty cutters to sharpen. yup and yup again......i love the feel of a new file as it gently cuts a new edge......then on the last stroke lift it up thro the edge and it bends the edge burr off..2 or 3 strokes per tooth...is enough... always like to keep my rakers lowish...on soft woods...only if you have the horsepower in the saw... Edited September 22, 2020 by ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 (edited) Saw a guy on youtube and he used a length of chain file mounted in a battery drill on low speed. I gave it a try and yes, it works. Very handy out in the field when you need a quick clean up if you hit something you shouldn't. Certainly sharpened my chains adequately. As with a hand file ....which without doubt are best ..... you need to know and keep the correct angle. If I am back in the workshop my chains get sharpened by hand methodically with a correct file. I run three saws and do get through a bit of timber. Edited September 22, 2020 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 My son gave me one for my last birthday' worked fine and does what it says I have no problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 (edited) I don't think an electrical sharpener has been invented that is as good or as precise as doing it manually - yet. Taking the time to check each tooth's edge and depth gauge will always be more precise. I'd only really look at an electronic one if I'd been lazy and not checked the sharpness before putting the saw away. Then for speed they're useful. But my instructor banged it into our heads that if you put a saw to bed sharp, it'll wake up sharp when you're in a mad rush to get out on a job... Edited September 22, 2020 by chrisjpainter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 14 hours ago, figgy said: Johnphillip, They don't remove any metal at all until you wind the thread to take off as little as you want to. Only an idiot will blue the metal by taking too much and holding the disc on the metal too long. It's like me saying files are no good you can't get the angle right and they make all the teeth different lengths and shapes. In the hands of an idiot both are true. With a little care and knowledge they are both very good. What happens when you get a chain were all the teeth are of different lenght or different angle , you can only preset it to one tooth . I am for ever sharping mine when out cutting longs . Its a long walk back to the shed . Learn to do it by hand with the right guide . the electric cant file the Rakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 I do sharpen by hand, and your glad of the break to sit and sharpen by hand. If you start by machine on the chain and keep using that method the teeth should stay the same length. You can quickly adjust the cut it's only a thumb turn. One thing the electric one does is maintain the cutting angle. Not all can do this with a file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 2 hours ago, chrisjpainter said: But my instructor banged it into our heads that if you put a saw to bed sharp, it'll wake up sharp when you're in a mad rush to get out on a job... Half the people on this forum don’t clean their guns before putting them away, so you have no chance of persuading them to sharpen a saw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 4 hours ago, London Best said: Half the people on this forum don’t clean their guns before putting them away, so you have no chance of persuading them to sharpen a saw! I said he banged it into our heads. I didn't say I actually did it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 14 hours ago, chrisjpainter said: I don't think an electrical sharpener has been invented that is as good or as precise as doing it manually - yet. Taking the time to check each tooth's edge and depth gauge will always be more precise. I'd only really look at an electronic one if I'd been lazy and not checked the sharpness before putting the saw away. Then for speed they're useful. But my instructor banged it into our heads that if you put a saw to bed sharp, it'll wake up sharp when you're in a mad rush to get out on a job... By the time u take ur bar and chain off, get grinder off shelf and set up u could have sharpened ur chain by hand easily. I thought it would be handy for my 3ft bar but still think less hassle doing it by hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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