Sharpener wheel

[SamT1]

what wheel do I need for my old stihl sharpener. It’s an early 80’s stihl sharpener. I bought it 15 years ago or so and have been using the few used wheels it had with it. The wheel is way past it’s prime.
I’ve worn my chains and bars down to junk and bought some new tsumura bars and stihl chains. I want the right wheel before I start using them.
3/8 chain stihl RS is what I prefer but I have a wide variety of chains.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

@Philbert

 

[Philbert]

STIHL grinders use different size wheels than the Oregon / Tecomec grinders. Madsen's sells a variety of wheels, and they have descriptions in their catalog:

http://www.madsens1.com/catalog.htm

Your local STIHL dealer may also offer some.

I prefer the basic, vitreous wheels, but others are available. If you have been happy with the wheels that you used, you can just buy replacements. Get the right wheel thicknesses for each of the chains you plan to sharpen, plus one for the depth gauges.

Philbert

 

[SamT1]

STIHL grinders use different size wheels than the Oregon / Tecomec grinders. Madsen's sells a variety of wheels, and they have descriptions in their catalog:

http://www.madsens1.com/catalog.htm

Your local STIHL dealer may also offer some.

I prefer the basic, vitreous wheels, but others are available. If you have been happy with the wheels that you used, you can just buy replacements. Get the right wheel thicknesses for each of the chains you plan to sharpen, plus one for the depth gauges.

Philbert

My local dealer doesn’t even carry rim sprokets. I was gonna bum a tach one day and they don’t even have one of those either, but they do have all those stihl master technician signs on the wall ‍

Hmm I have a funky wheel I’ve never known what was for I bet it’s the depth gauges!

 

[SamT1]

Here’s the funky wheel and the wheel that’s in it. Few legible numbers and I don’t know if it’s right anyway.

 

[Philbert]

Sounds like you need a better STIHL dealer! Call around, you may be surprised!

Looks like you also need to be dressing your wheels more frequently?

I was on my phone when I first replied, but now do not see wheels for the STIHL grinders listed in Madsen's catalog. They may not be able to ship them as a STIHL dealer.

*** USG User's Manual: https://m.stihlusa.com/WebContent/CMSFileLibrary/instructionmanuals/USG_Manual.pdf

Doing a Google search for 'STIHL chain grinder wheels' finds me these (no recommendation implied):
https://www.baileysonline.com/stihl-grinding-wheel-140-x-3-8-x-12-qs-5203-750-7010.html
https://www.baileysonline.com/stihl-grinding-wheel-140-x-4-5-x-12-qs-5202-750-7010.html
https://www.baileysonline.com/stihl-grinding-wheel-140-x-3-2-x-12-qs-5203-750-7013.html
https://www.baileysonline.com/stihl-grinding-wheel-120-x-8-0-x-12-qs-5203-750-7015.html

http://sharpchain.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_11

Plus a bunch of eBay listings.

There are also several threads here on A.S. about STIHL grinders; other members might have more info:
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/stihl-usg-users.307683/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/stihl-usg.328865/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/stihl-usg-mounting.302059/

Philbert

 

[HarleyT]

Put up a pic of the sharpener.

 

[DND 9000]

The grinding wheel on your picture with number 5202 750 7010 is normally for .404" and 1/2". Used on the HOS and USG.

For 3/8 chains, wheel 5203 750 7010 is used.

 

[rd35]

Another option would be to go with a cubic boron nitride wheel. I got mine from these folks: https://www.diamondwheelinc.com/chain-saw-wheels.html. I would not be happy if I had to go back to stone wheels. CBN wheels are expensive, but if you do a lot of chain work it's really worth the investment in my opinion.

 

[SamT1]

I called around and so far no one has even offered to order me one. I have one more dealer to call after they open.

 

[SamT1]

Found one at a shop an hour away. And for a real good price. I’ll be within 20 miles of there Friday so I’ll swing through. Maybe they will have a dresser? I’ve never had one.
I used to use this stuff called “cool grind” but haven’t been able to find any in years. What do y’all know about that?

 

[Philbert]

Make sure that you get the correct sized wheels for different pitch chains.

Kool Grind is basically a wax stick / crayon that fills in the spaces between the abrasive grit and helps to keep the grinding wheel clean. If you clean your chains before you grind, it is not necessary IMHO.

As a wheel wears, the abrasive particles get rounded over, and they start to rub rather than cut, heating up the metal. A dressing stone / brick exposes fresh abrasive for a cooler, cleaner cut. Similar to 'sharpening' the wheel. I touch mine up about once per loop. They are also used to profile the edge of the wheel.

Both are available for places like Baileys.

This thread is based on a different grinder, but the tips on grinding also apply to your STIHL grinder.
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/511a-grinder-improvements-tweaks.197073/

Philbert

 

[SamT1]

Thanks. Yea I never clean my chains. I bet I’ve sharpened 1000 or more chains on this one stone and it was used when I put it on. The one that I assume was right for 3/8 chain broke a chunk out of it on a cold morning long enough ago I’m shocked I remember.
I’ll see if the shop has a dressing stone while I’m there.
You can see on my wheel I’m running where it’s been hitting the rakers on the back side. I guess from being too thick when the chains are new. It’s really bad on .325 chain, but I only do those for some buddies and my dad.

 

[SamT1]

Well y’all recogn it was time for a new one?

Thanks for the help with the part numbers and the manual guys. Do you think this thing being so smal could throw off the geometry enough the chain would try to cut to one side some?