best bench grinder for sharpening chains?

[Tree94]

Long story short, I don't have the patience to hand file and my hands get carpal tunnel when I do...

Looking for info on the best bench grinder to purchase.
I've searched through this forum a bit and found some old post's hyping up the Oregon 511.
Wondering if that's still the best grinder on the market right now in 2017?

Thanks guys!
Russ

 

[bayard]

you could spend 100$ or 400-500$ ,the northern 100$ works well for most.i have done 2 or 300 chain sharpening,s, with it.

 

[Philbert]

Oregon 511A was 'the standard' to which other grinders are compared. The current model is the model 520-120.

https://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/accessories/BenchGrinder_520-120.htm

Philbert

 

[tylerbeach3]

Got it, love it!

 

[hedge hog]

I have had 511A but if you can afford it it's worth it
The stones are much better


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[hedge hog]

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[Philbert]

Looks like a phone booth!
(Someone please explain what that is to the millennials on the forum?)

Philbert

 

[BC WetCoast]

Dr. Who's tardis

 

[hedge hog]

After 50 or so chains and 2 .404 205 drive link that needed double passes and rakers set to .032
Stays really clean
The vac pulls 95% of all the sparks


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[Khntr85]

After 50 or so chains and 2 .404 205 drive link that needed double passes and rakers set to .032
Stays really clean
The vac pulls 95% of all the sparks


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You have a nice set up....

Did you ever try the CBN wheels???

 

[Khntr85]

Well I have not tried the Stihl grinder...... I do have the newest Oregon grinder, the 520-120 model.....I was in the same excact position you were in, with my little 18-month old girl taking up a lot of my time, drinking beer and hand filing chains in the garage at night don't cut it anymore LOl......

I was 100% against grinder, I only thought hand filing would get the correct profile on a chain....I decided to give the grinder a try and well my opinion was wrong, frankly......you can turn out an absolutely GREAT cutting chain, with all the angles the same......like with any tool however, there is a brief learning curve....if you can be patient threw this "learning" period and get to know the grinder, you will be shocked at how good a chain can turn out....

I won't get into it, but you can go even a step further and eventually get CBN wheels that stay the same shape forever.....

I will leave you with some pics of chains I have ground....


Stihl RS(chisel chain)


You can also just "touch-up" a chain like this, and not hardly remove any material....


Stihl RM(semi-chisel)

 

[hedge hog]

I have 3/8 - .404 one for the big chains and really like it
So I will be getting.325 wheel
Diamond wheel is brand I have


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[Khntr85]

Here is what the chips looked like from the firsf chisel chain I ground(once I started getting the hang of grinding)....

The wood is dry hard ash....

 

[Khntr85]

I have 3/8 - .404 one for the big chains and really like it
So I will be getting.325 wheel
Diamond wheel is brand I have


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Yes sir, mine are diamond wheel brand also..... the first CBN I got was 3/16 for the 3/8 chain.....not to long after I used it a few times, I knew I had to get an 1/8 for the smaller .325 and lo-pro chains....

I tell ya they are great, but I do still use the stone wheels......I like using the stones on really bad "rocked" chains, and cleaning out gullets that are really bad.......

Is that Stihl grinder a lot better than the Oregon you had, in your opinion?????

 

[Khntr85]

Got it, love it!

How long have you had the Oregon grinder..... I tell ya I have to agree I am more happy with that grinder than I ever thought I would be!!!!

 

[hedge hog]

Built like a tank
A lot heavier
Motor seems to be over kill
But I really like there stones
They cut really fast and don't blue the cutters but seem to need reshaped more often

I use the .404 wheels for rakers and get along very good


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[hedge hog]

They hinge is the part on the Stihl that that really stands out
Ball and socket type that is fully adjustable

But most grinders do a good job it more so in the operators



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[Khntr85]

They hinge is the part on the Stihl that that really stands out
Ball and socket type that is fully adjustable

But most grinders do a good job it more so in the operators



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Yep that the best answer...... the operator can make or break a grinder, same with saws and any other equipment!!!!

 

[tylerbeach3]

Ive found out that that "learning curve" is for real. A caliper has helped me. I finally am cutting straight lol. Does anyone have to readjust the left hand cutter length after doing the right hand? Seemed wierd but i needed an almost half turn to set the teeth equal.

 

[tylerbeach3]

How long have you had the Oregon grinder..... I tell ya I have to agree I am more happy with that grinder than I ever thought I would be!!!!

A couple weeks. Still a noob but am learning...