Hello
I own three Carbide chains:
- an affordable AM loop, that I have yet to try
- a Stihl Picco Duro 3 ( 3/8" LowProfile Semi Chisel), still sharp, cuts great
- a Stihl Rapid Duro 3 ( 3/8" Semi Chisel), ran it for many tanks full of fuel, cut great while factory ground sharp
I bucked dozens of cubik meters of firewood logs for an entire year with the Stihl Rapid Duro 3 before it got dull to a point where I considered it truly dull.
I could have taken the loop to my local Stihl dealer, but I wanted to be able to sharpen it myself.
I considered filing the chain, but that would have been a lengthy endeavor with a truly dull carbide chain.
I purchased a dremel type straight shaft grinder off eBay, and separately a set of diamond burs. With this setup I managed to get my carbide chain to "working condition" a couple times, but the cutters didn't keep their edge for long as the factory grind did.
Me liking self feeding sharp chains I shelved the chain for years untill I purchased a dedicated chain grinder this year. I also purchased an AM diamond grinding wheel and finaly ground my Stihl Rapid Duro 3 chain and the curters look good - although I have yet to give the freshly ground chain a try.
I may manage to try the chain this week, I will report back if I do.
The dremel type grinder, it was about 25$ off eBay.
My recently purchased chain grinder, AMA MAXX (take note, not a diamond wheel on it in the picture)
At 20$ per loop and 7 loops at hand I would look into finding a way to sharpen my own carbide chains!
Also, please take note that although a carbide chain will resist wear against dirt and sand, it will chip and deteriorate excessively hitting stones and other foreign objects (nails, wire, screws, bolts,...).
In general I find it easier to sharpen a severely damaged "steel" chain than a carbide tipped one.
If Your carbide chains are Stihl Rapid/Picco Duro 3 ones they are worth bringing back to working condition!
Cheers