Correct Ginding Wheel Size

[hokiebob1]

I'm confused on grinding wheel sizes to use on different chains. For example, I have both 3/8 Lo Pro and .325x.050 chains. Its apparent to me that an 1/8" grind is appropriate for the Lo Pro, but its not as clear for the other. I spoke to Baileys today and ordered some of their chain and they indicated all should be ground with 1/8", but some of the literature says to use 3/16" on the .325. One of my chains is 23RS .325" and it sure looks like 3/16" is correct......the other is the H30 Husky chain (Oregon somthing I'm sure) and it appears to be somewhere in the middle. I used 3/16" on it and it cuts super but several places say to use 1/8".

I reckon it affects the hook and side plate angle......are there any rules of thumb, or is one faster/more durable than the other?

 

[Rydaddy]

Oregon

Bob,

Go to oregon's website and you can download a .pdf that gives a lot of good info on grinding chains and general info about chains. It has been very helpful for me as I am also learning to grind my chains. Based on my info, both the 3/8 lopro and .325 chains should be ground with the 1/8" wheel. Use the 3/16" wheel on your 3/8" chain. I struggled initially with the fact that it didn't necessarily look right, but it works out.

Good Luck.

 

[zemmo]

I'm confused on grinding wheel sizes to use on different chains. For example, I have both 3/8 Lo Pro and .325x.050 chains. Its apparent to me that an 1/8" grind is appropriate for the Lo Pro, but its not as clear for the other. I spoke to Baileys today and ordered some of their chain and they indicated all should be ground with 1/8", but some of the literature says to use 3/16" on the .325. One of my chains is 23RS .325" and it sure looks like 3/16" is correct......the other is the H30 Husky chain (Oregon somthing I'm sure) and it appears to be somewhere in the middle. I used 3/16" on it and it cuts super but several places say to use 1/8".

I reckon it affects the hook and side plate angle......are there any rules of thumb, or is one faster/more durable than the other?

Yeah, it's kind of a PITA. Only Oregon, as far as I've found, gives a chart with grinding wheel size for their chains, 3/16 for the .325 95vp, for instance, and the same for 3/8 LGX. The .325 nk Woodsman Pro (Carlton) chain takes a 1/8 wheel, according to Gregg at Baileys. You'd think that if you knew the file size, you'd also know the wheel size, but that doesn't always seem to be the case. Two chains that spec a 3/16 file might use a 1/8 wheel for one and a 3/16 for the other. Confusing, huh?

 

[parrisw]

Oregon says to use 3/16 for .325 chain, thats what I use with very good results, however I ve also used 1/8 with it as well, with good results. So I say go with what works. I use 3/16 with .325 cause it's the wheel I use the most for my 3/8 and .404 chain, so I don't have to swap wheels as much. Works for me!!!

 

[hokiebob1]

It seems like anything goes in a sense. I used 3/16" on the .325" and looked at the Lo Pro and its clear it needs a smaller wheel. I've looked at the Oregon site (actually printed out the Oregon 511 manual as a reference for my Northern grinder) and used it as a guideline, however there are other references that indicate 1/8" for .325".

I suppose its whatever works--wonder if anyone has run any timed cuts with both to determine which one is fastest and and which one stays sharper longer.

 

[Fish]

Didn't we cover this ground last week? I will see if I can find the thread.
I usually opt for the smaller wheel, if it is a coin toss.
The farther back a big 3/8 chain goes, the smaller wheel works better.
If you ask why, then you need to read some past posts......

 

[Grande Dog]

When it comes to grinding wheels, .404 and full sized 3/8 will use a 3/16" wheel, and everything else is a 1/8" wheel. I profile my wheels differently from most. I put the normal half round profile like the manufacturers recomend but, then I flatten it. I do this by laying the dressing brick on the chain vise rails. Then introduce the wheel to the brick while sliding the brick back and forth on the rails. This allows you to lean the grinder head over to 50 degrees or where ever your grinder stops at without grinding into the frame of the chain. The main thing this allows is the top plate of the tooth can now be ground by the flat side of the wheel instead of the on the dressed radius of the wheel. I my mind this allows the top plate to function more like a square grind or chisel rather than hollow ground. So instead of the wood chip curling or crinkling it flows out as a straight chip.
Gregg

 

[cuttinscott]

All .404" and regular 3/8" and Oregon 20 series and 95 VP I use the 3/16" as well as most .325" stihl, also windsor, I only use 1/8" for 3/8"lp, 30 sreies oregon and lo pro .325" carlton (GB)

Did I Mention that I dislike LO PRO .325" chains... And have been selling 20 series oregon since its introduction around 20 years or so..

Scott

 

[Marty B]

Wheel size?

I use Rapid Micro 1.3m .050 or 3/8 R/M. What is the correct grinding wheel size? The wheel I have been using mics. out to be around 7/32".

 

[Marty B]

Bump

 

[Fish]

I would use the 3/16 wheel for that.

 

[mountainlake]

When it comes to grinding wheels, .404 and full sized 3/8 will use a 3/16" wheel, and everything else is a 1/8" wheel. I profile my wheels differently from most. I put the normal half round profile like the manufacturers recomend but, then I flatten it. I do this by laying the dressing brick on the chain vise rails. Then introduce the wheel to the brick while sliding the brick back and forth on the rails. This allows you to lean the grinder head over to 50 degrees or where ever your grinder stops at without grinding into the frame of the chain. The main thing this allows is the top plate of the tooth can now be ground by the flat side of the wheel instead of the on the dressed radius of the wheel. I my mind this allows the top plate to function more like a square grind or chisel rather than hollow ground. So instead of the wood chip curling or crinkling it flows out as a straight chip.
Gregg

I've been grinding like that for the last 20 years and they cut good, being as were using the flat side to do the face I don't think it matters which size wheel you run. i use a 1/8 on everything. Got a lot of flak last time I mentioned how I grind. Steve

 

[mountainlake]

I also think that some people using a rounded edge wheel don't get the wheel quite low enough on smaller chains and can end up with a chain doesn't cut good. Steve

 

[ShawOutdoors]

I just got this giant Carlton chain in that goes on the saw that is on the back of a trailer that people use to cut big logs then put on a trailer. Does anyone know what grinding wheel I need to use. All I can see is that the chain is a Carlton, it has 60 drive links, and each tooth is 1 inch long. This chain is big.

 

[Philbert]

Likely 3/4" pitch chain. Measure between the center point of any 3 rivets, and divide that by 2.


If 3/4" pitch, then 5/16" grinding wheel is what Oregon recommends.



Philbert

 

[ShawOutdoors]

Likely 3/4" pitch chain. Measure between the center point of any 3 rivets, and divide that by 2.

Will post more in a minute

Philbert

Thank you!