I have sharpening questions after the story.
I have rocked 3 chains in 5 days!
*One of them was from a piece of rock that grew into a tree at the stump. The tree was 80 years old, and had been on what was once farmland/pastureland and a maple syrup grove. I'll never know how that piece of granite got into that tree.
*Two of chains that became dull were definitely my fault. I'm switching back and forth, using 16" and 20" bars in 3 different saws, and I have not been paying close enough attention to my tip when bucking and limbing on rough terrain. Both times it has happened after switching from the small slower saw I use for limbing to the bigger 400 that I have been using for felling, bucking and sometimes limbing (when the 170 is out of fuel and I don't want to fuel it up again for the day - getting little dull- whatever). The 400 with a 20" bar is an aggressive saw, and it is still a little new for me. It almost always surprises me as to how fast it goes through some logs/branches. I love using it as much as I can love anything that rips through beautiful forest habitat.
So, I sharpened 1/8th inch off of one chain - wearing through 1.5 files and causing arthritis to swell up in my thumb for 3 days. I hit the second rock (the one in the tree) and just switched out to my backup chain. Yesterday, I hit the 3rd rock and I am getting tired of filing!
Now the questions:
Does anyone use the diamond studded 7/32 bits that I see online for sharpeners/Dremels?
Does anyone use them in a drill?
If anyone is using them with good results, I would like to know what brand to buy so that I get good value for my dollar. I have an Amazon account.
I was a machinist before I became a carpenter/builder/firewood guy. I am very good at cutting wood and metal, holding drills true and straight. I admit that I have a drill acquisition disorder similar to how many people ArboristSite have C.A.D. If other people are using drills with good results, I am sure that I can do it too. I can had file a saw so that it cuts really nicely.
I don't want to get a saw sharpener (like the Oregon type - or whatever), because I don't have room for it till I complete setting up my new shop. I won't do that till I finish building a couple of houses that i am just starting on... and there is always next year's firewood to get.
Thanks for your help.