If you are one of those who spend a lot of time in woodcutting, be it collecting firewood or just creating something out of lumber, you probably are using a chainsaw. And you must also have faced the situation when you chainsaw starts getting blunt and you have to put up extra effort to get the job done. When such a thing happens, you are left with two options. One is to get another chainsaw or sharpen the one you have and is otherwise perfectly fine. The latter option is without a doubt a more appropriate choice. Chainsaw sharpener would speed up your work and definitely would save your money and these facts make it a smart investment.
Who Should Buy a Chainsaw Sharpener?
Now, this is worth considering, who should consider investing in a chainsaw sharper. A person who has a frequent usage of the chainsaw and hence has to sharpen it every few days should consider buying a sharpener. The chainsaw works pretty nicely for some time after which it gets blunt and cutting wood requires extra effort. At that time you have to get it sharpened by the market and have to pay a genuine amount for it.
If you have to get your chainsaw sharpened often then making a one-time investment in buying a chainsaw sharpener is worth considering as it will pay off in a few uses.
Best Selling Chainsaw Sharpener
What to Look For While Buying a Chainsaw Sharpener
When you are buying a chainsaw sharpener there are certain things you should consider so you buy the best thing which fits your requirements and proves to be a smart investment.
Portability: Where do you want to use the sharpener means a lot when it comes to buying a chainsaw sharpener. If you are to use it at home you won’t have to think about its portability but if you are aiming for going at far places to collect the wood and have to give your chainsaw a quick touch then you have to consider buying a good quality portable chainsaw sharpener.
Gauge: You would have to choose the right chainsaw gauge typically four types of gauges are available that are 0.063”, 0.058”, 0.050” and 0.43”.
Chainsaw file size: This is one of the most important things to consider as it will determine if the sharpener is compatible with your chainsaw else you’re the sharpener could be completely useless. There are many different chainsaw-file sizes but the most popular ones are 0.404”, 3/8”, 0.325” and 1/4″.
Cutter type: There are three types of cutters used in a chainsaw sharpener. Chisel cutter (not recommended unless you are highly experienced), semi-chisel cutter and a round cutter.
Price: Last but not least is the price. You should consider buying the one which you know will make it up to its value. If you have a very frequent usage of a chainsaw sharpener, you can consider investing a fair amount of money in it and can have a product in return that lasts a long time, whereas if you a less frequent usage you can consider compromising on the quality a bit to get it at a fairly reasonable price.
5 Best Chainsaw Sharpeners Reviews
Oregon 410-120 Bench or Wall Mounted Saw Chain Grinder
Oregon is a name you can trust when it comes to tools or equipment. This chainsaw grinder is no exception. This is a very well-build grinder that is designed to be mounted either on the wall or on a bench. It is very easy to set up and does the job pretty well. It is able to sharpen the chain having pitch up to .404”. Having a build-in one-way motor that is very light and has a safe and reliable operation, this grinder can save up a lot of money you would otherwise have to spend every other day on getting your chainsaw sharpened from the market.
The grinder comes with three different grinding wheels for the sharpening, a quick template, a dressing brick, and depth gauge grinding. The three grinding wheels are of 3/8” low profile, 1/4”, .325”. 3/8” and .404” pitch chain. The grinder has a new sprocket nose system that results in better performance and a longer nose life. It requires 120 AC V and has a 3500 rated RPM.
Pros:
The sharpener is solid and sturdy.
The construction of the sharpener is of high quality.
The instructions for assembling and usage are precise and clear.
It does the job pretty remarkably.
Cons:
The packaging is not good and some parts are very loosely packed like nuts, bolts, and washers
The stop screw present for the purpose of limiting the depth of the grinding wheel is flimsy.
Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener
It can be mounted on a bench or wall for easy usage. The RPM grinding speed is 4200 and can be adjusted to the most popular chain designs. The sharpener can work for a homeowner with its bit fragile parts, though you can make it last longer if you use it with care. It does not auto advance and can be tedious moving the chain link by link but it gets easier as you keep on working with it and without a doubt it does a fairly better job as compared to sharpening by hand. If you are really annoyed by the plastic stops, you can simply replace them with the steel ones from a nearby hardware store.
It is not a very precise machine though it is good for the price and can do the job if you are to aiming for personal use at home. The major issue with this sharpener is of the instructions which are very unclear though the process is easy.
Pros:
It is good for the price as the price is very reasonable.
It can do the sharpening job pretty well.
The setup is easy once you get it figured out.
The process of sharpening is quick and hence time-saving.
You will save up enough money by not replacing the chains and the unit will pay for itself in a few uses.
Cons:
It needs to be attached to something permanently.
The instructions are not up to the mark; as a matter of fact, they are pretty horrible and won’t be able to use it if you are to rely only on the instructions which came with the package.
Some parts are of cheap quality and are really easy to break. It has stops made of plastic.
Stihl Chainsaw Chain Sharpener 2 in 1
It is a pretty nice tool that is practical too. It quickly sharpens the teeth and the depth gauge in a single step. Its dimensions are 8.4″ x 2″ x 0.9″ and weighs about 10.4 ounces that make it easily portable. It is ideal for occasional users and if you are using it for yourself at home then it can do a remarkable job. It has a plastic frame but still has good longevity and when it comes to the price, it is not a cheap product but is very well worth what you pay. This will pay off after some uses.
The instructions are not written in an easy to understand manner so you might have to make use of some videos present on the internet. Initially, it could take some time using this tool as you have to figure it out completely but after using a couple of times you can really get the job done in like 5 minutes or so. The symbols on the file will also start to make sense once you get aware of how things work.
Pros:
It is quick and effective.
It is easily portable so you can take it with yourself and use it for a quick refresh of the chain.
The file works impressively and even after a number of uses it works as new.
It is of very high quality.
Cons:
The instructions are not well written though you can see the video tutorials on the internet to understand the process.
It is drilled for a particular file size only so while buying make sure that it has correct file size for you saw chain else it would be useless.
The frame is of plastic that reduces longevity.
Granberg Model G- 106B Bar Mount Chainsaw Sharpener
The best part about this sharpener is that it can be used for any chain which is not the case with many other sharpeners. It mounts to all saws having any file size. The construction is of good quality and is made up of zinc-plated steel and cast aluminum. The dimensions of the product are 12.5″ x 7″ x 1.5″ and it weighs about 14.4 ounces. So if you are the one who has to work in remote areas you can simply pack the sharpener up and take it with you for the usage during the day. You definitely won’t like to spend a lot on getting your chainsaw sharpened by the market at a fairly high price when you can simply do the job yourself and that too at an economical price.
Once again the instructions are a bit problematic but the video on their website will make it up to you. Once you get a clear understanding of how to use it and can get your hands on it, you will find it really quick and easy to use. The precision which is achievable from this device is simply outstanding. You can sharpen with extreme precision at the exact perfect angle if you set it up correctly.
Pros:
It can be mounted to any saw having any file size.
It is quick and easy and can sharpen any chain.
It is stern as compared to the competing products.
The construction is of good quality.
Cons:
Wing nuts can loosen during the process of sharpening.
The instructions are included are very disappointing.
Timberline 3/16” Carbide Cutter and Chainsaw Sharpener
It is a little sharpener with a nice concept and easily portable because of its size. The dimensions of this sharpener are 8″ x 8″ x 8″ and it weighs only 2 pounds. It has a durable construction and is made of high-quality aluminum. It can precise every tooth to the same angle and the same length. It is really easy to use and anyone can use it have professional results.
The only problem is that it can take up more than enough time and not work nicely if you compare it to a filer though the concept is good. You can get good results if you use it and if you keep on using it you might even get used to it and can improve the time taken to sharpen but still for a person who does not have enough time and has to work on tough schedules this might not work.
Pros:
It is portable and hence can be used anywhere at any time.
The construction is of good quality and is made of aluminum.
The precision and angle are nice and precise.
The concept is good.
Cons:
It takes up quite a lot of time for sharpening the chain as the sharpening process is a bit slow so if you are a person who is tough on time then this might not be your thing.
It is not as simple to use as it is advertised though it does the job finely.
Conclusion:
Considering the right chainsaw file size and the specifications you could buy the sharpener that suits your needs best. The overall winner considering the built and the longevity is Oregon 410-120 Chainsaw Grinder. The only problem is that it’s not portable. If you are looking for a portable one then Stihl sharpener could be your thing. Whereas if you want a perfect professional job done but you are not a pro then Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener is a good choice as it does the job perfectly, is easy-to-use and is also portable.
