Anyone using them non commercial? I'm thinking of getting one. The 20 minutes to sharpen a chain with a double bevel is getting a little aggrivating. I like the way square cuts and would like to keep using it instead of round. The files are way more expensive and I don't think it will take but a couple years to pay itself back considering I've bought $150 in files and only have one left now again.
Square grinders
- Thread starter mdavlee
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I have a loop of square ground 404 on one of my 1130g's and boy does it pull chips nice. I'll be damned if I know how to sharpen it though. I'm still messin with round.
I can file decent now. It's took a while to get where I don't leave a side beak and make the angles pretty good consistently. Like I said I've probably spent $150 on files this year so far and a lot of them will be chipped on the corner in 3-5 sharpenings.
I've been square filing for years, that said if I were cutting for a living again I would have a grinder simply because of the cost of files. I have a couple of saws I maintain square but most are round filed now.
I bought a new RSll in 88 and used it for my chains for the next twenty years in Alaska and here. In the first twelve years I had to replace the slide twice, but since then it has been changed (sealed better) and I have had no problems. Silver makes good grinders.
The last two years it has just seen occasional use, but I can't imagine not having it. I like to file, but just for fun. If I'm going to be serious about cutting wood there will be at least several extra ground chains in my pack. A wood dull chain can be ground in a short time once you are used to your grinder.
For myself the only way I would'nt have a sq. grinder is if all that I cut was dirty hickory.
The last two years it has just seen occasional use, but I can't imagine not having it. I like to file, but just for fun. If I'm going to be serious about cutting wood there will be at least several extra ground chains in my pack. A wood dull chain can be ground in a short time once you are used to your grinder.
For myself the only way I would'nt have a sq. grinder is if all that I cut was dirty hickory.
I cut mostly standing trees up and blowdowns so it's not skidded wood just maybe a little dirt on the bark on the bottom. I can get 2-3 tanks with square filed most of the time so the durability to me is fine. I will keep a couple loops of round for dirty work and if others are using the saw that like to hit the dirt.
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wigglesworth
Booned
devonhubb
ArboristSite Operative
I have two Simington grinders. 
As long as I have a chainsaw.........I will have a square grinder.
As long as I have a chainsaw.........I will have a square grinder.
You just have to get lucky. I picked up a Silvey SDM4 from a member here years ago for $400. Needed a couple small parts and a stand which I got from Madsens. Still haven't figured out all the adjustments. Only recently realized how to grind the big pitch 1/2" and 9/16" chisel. I would never try to buy one brand-new. Pricing an SDM4 today comes to around $1700!!
That said, I also just bought a round grinder. For what I really cut, square is a not at all practical.
Chris B.
That said, I also just bought a round grinder. For what I really cut, square is a not at all practical.
Chris B.
B_Turner
Addicted to ArboristSite
I bought a Pro Sharp maybe 7 yrs ago and am really glad.
Yeah I like the looks of the Pro Sharp but for double the price of the others it's out. I think I can even out on a $700-1000 in about 3 years the way I'm cutting now. If I start cutting more than it will be a shorter time. My grandpa is getting older now where he can't do hardly any cutting so I try to do it all for him when time allows. I can go through 5 gallons on his farm in a weekend sometimes.
devonhubb
ArboristSite Operative
That is a good deal on a SDM-4. I think they only have a limited number at that price.
devonhubb
ArboristSite Operative
Congrats!!
If it is not too much trouble, post some pics & a review after you get a chance to play with it a bit.
If it is not too much trouble, post some pics & a review after you get a chance to play with it a bit.
hammerlogging
Addicted to ArboristSite
Congratulatons on the grinder. I hand file square too. Burv swears the grinder will change my life, and I believe him, and I am looking forward to the day.
Its a real bummer when those corners go, especially when they go fast. But you're probably like me, a real junky, hooked on them big chips.
Its a real bummer when those corners go, especially when they go fast. But you're probably like me, a real junky, hooked on them big chips.
The best square grinder I've ever used is one that hasn't been available for going on 30 years...the Bell Industries "K-3". The very first logging outfit I worked for had one, and it's an amazing machine. It's the model that Ray Silvey modeled his "Pro Sharp" on. Bell Industries was a local company to me (Eugene, Or.) and they made a range of industrial forestry equipment.
Nielsen was another local company that made great grinder. They made a pond and deck grinder that's one of the best. If you can find a used Bell or Nielsen in good condition, buy 'em. I've owned the RS and currently have a Simington 450B, which are ok.
Nielsen was another local company that made great grinder. They made a pond and deck grinder that's one of the best. If you can find a used Bell or Nielsen in good condition, buy 'em. I've owned the RS and currently have a Simington 450B, which are ok.
