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Post by jpcamb on Nov 8, 2009 18:14:04 GMT -5
I was wondering if anyone had bought/used the Harbor Freight Chain saw sharpener. Given its ~22 for a new chain and 19 to have a chain professionally sharpened the 49.99 seems like a decent deal, throw in the 20 percent off coupon and its a better deal IF it works. Anyone have thoughts on this thing?
also wondering if the 20 dollar torque wrench they sell is worth it (9.99 with coupon) or if I should just go with craftsman when its on sale for 40 bucks or so for the 1/2" one... I have a yard sale off brand model now and don't know how much I trust it...
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Post by ddewar53 on Nov 8, 2009 19:28:40 GMT -5
Do you use a chain saw professionally, or is this for home use. If my living depended on it, I wouldn't trust my income on it unless I could physically examine it first. If it's for home use - I bought one of those sharpening kits that's a hand-held file with an angle guide bar on it, keeps my saw sharp enough, it takes 3-4 minutes to get it sharpened. They run under ten bucks at hardware stores.
As far as the torque wrench goes - if it's the click type I wouldn't bother with it, if it's the dial type, nothing to break on those so I'd pick it up if I needed one.
Just my opinion based on my experience, others will differ...
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Post by johnsxj on Nov 8, 2009 19:51:25 GMT -5
I haven't had too many issues with the HF click type torque wrench.
Stay away from the HF box or combination wrenches, and their $9 angle grinders.
One thing to remember with the coupons (usually found in the 4X4 mags) is that they're good for IN STORE use only!! You can't use them online!! So unless you're going to be in the area of a HF store, I wouldn't make the special trip to get it. Lots of times they'll have just about a good of a deal on things online. Once you figure in sales tax, gas, and time to get to the HF store, that $10-$12 shipping looks good!
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Post by Scott on Nov 8, 2009 19:55:15 GMT -5
Once you figure in sales tax, gas, and time to get to the HF store, that $10-$12 shipping looks good! Unless there in the next town over from ya! ;D Lucky me! About 6 miles!  BTW, Your paying to much for a sharpening! I typically pay $8. for an 18" chain at an equipment dealer on 44 in Taunton (The name of the place slips me at the moment) |
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Post by Paul T on Nov 8, 2009 20:29:21 GMT -5
Its easy enough to learn. Husqvarna, stihl and some other companies have files with the angle you want built in the to handle. $8 or $10 i think.
A little practice and you'll do fine.
If you have a bench vise to hold the saw while your sharpening it, the chain will come out much better and more consistent. we use the vise, stand in front of it, sharpen one side, flip it around, stand on a milkcrate (to get above the handle) and do the other side.
Keep the saw out of the dirt and away from metal and you shouldn't need to touch it up very often.
Don't tackle anything you aren't comfortable with, and never cut limbs above your head from a ladder. Actually, never cut anything from a ladder, the limb coming down can knock the ladder out from under you, and 6-8 foot falls hurt. Lastly, if you (or anyone else) need help with felling something or trimming let me know, i work cheap!
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Post by jpcamb on Nov 8, 2009 21:06:20 GMT -5
I used to work for a tree company so I can sharpen a chain ok, its just I have a lot of hard wood on my property and the chain seems to go beyond what I can get it back from. I had damaged my sthil saw and brought it in for warranty repair, they told me first it'd be 10 to sharpen the chain, then 15 but he said he'd be able to do it for 10 as that is what he said first. I went to pick the saw up 2 weeks later and they wanted to charge me 19.99 which is about the cost of a chain. needless to say they wont be getting my business again. I had my first chain for about 2 years and had cut a lot of wood with it. my new house has oak or some other hard wood Im clearing and its tearing my chain up.... I got them to honor the 10 sharping price but I figure if I can get it back to factory with the harbor freight thing it may be worth the cake...
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Post by jpcamb on Nov 8, 2009 21:12:24 GMT -5
Its easy enough to learn. Husqvarna, stihl and some other companies have files with the angle you want built in the to handle. $8 or $10 i think. A little practice and you'll do fine. If you have a bench vise to hold the saw while your sharpening it, the chain will come out much better and more consistent. we use the vise, stand in front of it, sharpen one side, flip it around, stand on a milkcrate (to get above the handle) and do the other side. Keep the saw out of the dirt and away from metal and you shouldn't need to touch it up very often. Don't tackle anything you aren't comfortable with, and never cut limbs above your head from a ladder. Actually, never cut anything from a ladder, the limb coming down can knock the ladder out from under you, and 6-8 foot falls hurt. Lastly, if you (or anyone else) need help with felling something or trimming let me know, i work cheap! you dont have access to a stump grinder do you? if so let me know, thats my issue at the moment in the stumps left over from the lot I cleared. too many to dig out and cut flush... got about 10 stumps decorating my lawn now and took out one of the madrils on my ride on mower... |
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Post by Paul T on Nov 8, 2009 21:17:52 GMT -5
fair enough. have you tried taking down the rakers with a flat file? that should help it get through the oak a little better.
also check the bar often. you may also have to file burrs off it to get better performance as well.
also, i just looked up the one they are selling, i was always told once you use a machine to sharpen a saw, you won't be able to use a file on it again. the one time i tried to sharpen a chain after a co-worker used a grinder on it, the file wouldn't fit into the chain properly, it would've been an all day affair to do it by hand (and we were 40 miles away from the shop at the time)
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Post by Paul T on Nov 8, 2009 21:20:30 GMT -5
you dont have access to a stump grinder do you? if so let me know, thats my issue at the moment in the stumps left over from the lot I cleared. too many to dig out and cut flush... got about 10 stumps decorating my lawn now and took out one of the madrils on my ride on mower... I don't personally, my boss' father is the one that does all our grinding. He's out of Chelmsford, once i find his number, i'll PM it to you |
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