Anyone have this sharpener?

[bore_pig]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200327449_200327449

I bought one and really like it. I did notice, however, that the motor shaft is not true. I saw the stone had a wobble as it was slowing down. This wobble got me looking for a problem and that's when I noticed the problem with the motor. It sharpens chains great! I do worry about blowing up a stone though.

Should I get it replaced? Do any of you with the same sharpener see the same problem?

It's 75mi drive one way to Northern Tool. Don't want to go unless I know I'll get a new sharpener that's good. Thanks guys!

 

[Philbert]

bore_pig,

There are several threads on this tool in the Chainsaw forum. Some people think that they are a great deal. Some people think that they are cheap. Some people have posted comments on fixing / modifying them.

You might want to look through those.

Philbert

 

[blakey]

I have one as well and I like it but the grinding wheels that come with it are poor quality. I can get it to run smoother usually by loosening the screw and giving the wheel a half turn or just adjusting it slightly. The center of the wheel is a bit bigger than the flange or collar that holds it on so it doesn't center itself properly. That's what I think anyway.

 

[avalancher]

I got the same grinder, and have found the same problem.The wheels are junk, and dont run true.One even blew up on me as it reached full RPM.
Do yourself a favor and get a decent wheel for the thing.Other than that,its a great little grinder, esecially when you compare the price to what a better one runs.

 

[Scootermsp]

I'm happy with mine

I bought this last Summer. First thing I did was go to BAILEY'S and get a high quality wheel for it. Eventually I will get an Oregon 511 off ebay and use this one for taking down the rakers only. Well worth the $99 I paid for it, even my 24" loops cut nice and straight after using this.

 

[dnf0929]

I just bought one also...waiting for it to arrive.

After reading the comments I might as well order a wheel from Baileys. What size wheel does it take? Does the 5 3/4 x 3/16" wheel work for 3/8" pitch?

I was also reading the product manual on the NT website and the table in the back says some 3/8 Stihl chains should be sharpened with a 10 degree tilt angle but I remember from other posts about this grinder that guys said they had no problems using it with no tilt.

 

[bore_pig]

I've sharpened 2 stihl 33rsc chains with it so far.(0 degrees tilt) Very happy with the way they turned out. Read the piece of paper that came in the box with your chain. It will tell you the angles.

 

[zipper1081]

I got one at harbor freight & I really like mine.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93213

 

[SDiver40]

I have the same sharpener and i'm not real pleased with the wheels either. Mine did run pretty true but you can look at them and see their NOT top quality wheels. For $100 the sharpener does a pretty fair job.
I did notice that it does a much better job on my larger chains than the small ones.

 

[dnf0929]

What is the diameter of the wheel for the NT grinder? 5 3/4"?

 

[Scootermsp]

Forget the NT Manual!!!!

I just bought one also...waiting for it to arrive.

After reading the comments I might as well order a wheel from Baileys. What size wheel does it take? Does the 5 3/4 x 3/16" wheel work for 3/8" pitch?

I was also reading the product manual on the NT website and the table in the back says some 3/8 Stihl chains should be sharpened with a 10 degree tilt angle but I remember from other posts about this grinder that guys said they had no problems using it with no tilt.

Go to the Oregon website and download their manual because the NT manual SUCKS! The set-up is pretty easy. Without going to measure, I can say it takes the same wheel as the Oregon (5 3/4" x 3/16). Asfar as 3/8 pitch chain goes...I do Stihl, Oregon, and Bailey's all the same 60 Deg, 25 Deg, 10 Deg tilt...you'll figure it out...enjoy!

http://www.oregonchain.com/pdf/accessories/511AManual_3Lang.pdf

 

[thejdman04]

My northern grinder wobbles left and right when standing infront of the grinder, and if you stand beside it and look at it it wobbles up and down. for the money its not too bad of a sharpener, but next time Id get an oregon with auto clamping.

 

[darren_nh]

I like mine. I don't sharpen chains for living though. It does what I need it to. I would buy it again even though the castings and adjustments are crude. It is a good value.

 

[blakey]

I sharpened a .325 chain last night and flipped the wheel over when I mounted it. Ran very smooth, not sure why that would make a difference but it did. My middle sized wheel is the worst for vibration, haven't got around to buying better wheels yet.

 

[Butch(OH)]

I bought one from Northern and spent a couple hours tuning up the vise and swivel and it works as well as the real deal. I wrote a piece about my mods over on the saw board about a year ago if you can find it. 2X on trashing the chinko stones too. I dont use it a lot as I have time to file most of my chains. Comes in real handy when I rock one of my 32"ers though

 

[coppermouse]

Got one, works great, much better than the Harbor Freight junk I threw away because the thing the sets the chain position has way too much slop, but the wheels do suck on the NT one

 

[bore_pig]

I'll have to look into getting a new wheel. I only see the wobble as the stone slows down when I turn it off. Appears to be no wobble while running at full speed, and I cannot see a problem with the motor shaft if there is no stone mounted. Hope that makes some sense!

Thanks for the input guys. I did a search that yielded so many results I couldn't find much pertinent information.

 

[mga]

most grinding wheels aren't going to run true when installed, and should be dressed before use.

look into a diamond wheel dresser and use that to true the wheel to your application.

one of many....

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11253

 

[coppermouse]

Mine came with a little square thing that looks like that dresser, that must be what it is, how do you use it??? I also checked the motor shaft etc.. That is not the problem. You just don't notice the wobble as much at high as much speed, but it is still there

 

[mga]

Mine came with a little square thing that looks like that dresser, that must be what it is, how do you use it??? I also checked the motor shaft etc.. That is not the problem. You just don't notice the wobble as much at high as much speed, but it is still there

grinding wheels are production made. the balance of them would depend on the quality. however, none can be made "true" to the application it's being used on unless you "true" the wheel to your machine.

at high speeds, you won't notice any run-out except for a slight vibration. when it slows down, your eyes can see the wobble.

the purpose of the diamond is to make the wheel true to the spindle it's mounted on. you use the diamond when the wheel is running at high speed and take light cuts across the face or the contour, if it has one. this makes the face of the wheel true to your spindle and gives you nice clean gind marks.

all grinding wheels should be faced off now and then, especially when they are first installed, but it also helps keep them clean.


these are great for regular grinders:

http://www.kutritemfg.com/dressers.php?gclid=COODntyTm5kCFQw9GgodaBU2DA

and, if you're really into it:

http://www.nolansupply.com/superabrasives.asp?supercategory=Grinding+Wheel+Dressers