For anyone interested, Harbor Freight catalog sales has their chain sharpener on sale for $59.95. I have had one for a couple years and am happy with it. It's not a heavy duty pro model, but it doesn't cost hundreds of dollars either. I still sharpen with a file most of time but this thing is worth its weight in gold when I hit rocks or nails and really do a number on the chain.
"Mike Paulson" wrote: (clip) I have had one for a couple years and am happy with it (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I second the motion. HF has these on sale from time to time at this price, so if you happen to miss the sale, wait "til next time. I bought one, and I think it is ideal for the home user. Two of my chain-sawing/woodturning friends have borrowed it, and both ended up buying their own.
A dremel or other rotary tool can also do the job very nicely and quickly in a pinch. : )
steve
Years ago I bought a 12v dremel look alike that hooks to my truck battery. Its a Craftsman that cost me $19. Still works like a champ and sharpened my old Craftsman 12" for many years until it finally died. Now if sharpenes my 18" Husky. Damned fine tool and Dremel bits fit it perfectly. No files for this Grandpa!
"Grandpa" wrote: Years ago I bought a 12v dremel look alike that hooks to my truck battery. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I have one like that also, sold by Oregon (made in Japan.) It has a gauge which helps keep the grinder angle correct. I paid a lot more for mine than you paid for yours. My local chainsaw store guy tells me those are better than the bench type that he uses. I think the reason is that they remove a lot less metal, so the chain can be sharpened more times before it has to be discarded.
I used that for many years along with a file. Once I got to use the HF sharpener I was sold. I can do about 10 chains an hour and just change the chains out when they start to dull. It is also great with the Alaska Mill, I always have sharp chains---ah, provided I sharpen after use and don't wait until they are all in need ;-)
Brian
FWIW, may be of interest.
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