Razor sharp: the best machines for sharpening chainsaw chains

Operating principle and classification

The design is similar to a mounting saw with a grinding disc in a hanging head mounted on a support frame instead of a cutting disc.

A rotary vice fixes the saw part, and each tooth is sequentially processed with a supplied sharpener. The required angle is independently set by the operator according to the step between the links. As a rule, the thickness of the circle is 3.5 – 4.0 mm.

Safety is achieved by securely securing the tool to the workbench.

In order to process each link as sharply as possible, the disk must be positioned perpendicular to the chain. You can extend the service life by individually editing each tooth.

It should be remembered that the machine also levels the chainsaw blade. For this purpose, the smallest tooth is selected, to which all the others are adjusted. With the same dimensions, the load on the internal mechanism is reduced. In addition, alignment prevents the links from falling apart.

Homemade device for sharpening chainsaw chains with your own hands

It is recommended to make homemade devices for sharpening chainsaw chains in cases where you have to sharpen the chain on the tool every day. This homemade device is an electric motor with an abrasive disc attached to the shaft. It is necessary to use an abrasive disc, since it is impossible to perform this procedure with a grinding wheel.

The principle of making a homemade machine is that the engine should be of low power and fixed to the base. A special template is made on which the cutting element of the tool is fixed. A rotating disk together with a motor is manually brought to each tooth, and they are sharpened. It is important that the engine is movable and the chain is fixed in a stationary state.

Such a device (from a low-power electric motor) is the best option for those who are engaged in professional sharpening. Additionally, you can also make a special template for securing the device. This will reduce the need to manually adjust the angle.

This is interesting! Practice shows that Chinese teeth sharpening machines are popular due to their efficiency. Their main disadvantage is the cost, but if you have such a device at home, you can earn extra money from it.

As a conclusion, it should be noted that the chain is an important device in every chainsaw. It needs regular sharpening, and the longer you do not sharpen the teeth, the sooner the time will come to replace the device. It is important to understand that working with a tool with blunt teeth puts a lot of stress on the engine.

Which is better to choose, manual or automatic?

Owners of chain saws often ask the question of which machine to choose, manual or automatic. It is impossible to answer this unequivocally, because they are completely different, although they are intended to perform the same task.

Alternatively, you can have both machines. Install the electric one permanently in the garage and use it to sharpen chains with serious damage to the cutting edge, for example, those that occur when the chain hits a nail. The manual machine can be taken into the plot, which will make it possible to correct the chain in the field.

Rating of sharpening machines 2022

Patriot MG 220

Inexpensive sharpening machine for occasional sharpening of chainsaw chains. Its power is low - only 85 W, but this is enough to sharpen a couple of chains from time to time. A grinding wheel with a diameter of 105 mm and a thickness of 4.8 mm is used here. You can also use circles with a thickness of 3.2 and 4.2 mm (original ones are sold from Patriot). The diameter of the mounting socket here is 22.2 mm. The disk rotation speed is 4800 rpm, so the device can be safely classified as a high-speed one.

The device is capable of sharpening at an angle from 0° to 40° (rotation of the chain mount). Users note that the machine has good casting and does not rattle during operation. True, the manufacturer did not provide a stopper for the motor shaft, so when replacing the disk it will have to be additionally secured with a key.

Whirlwind SZTs-200

Machine for chains of domestic production with a power of 200 W. The engine accelerates the working attachment to 6000 rpm, so sharpening chains is done quite quickly. The diameter of the grinding wheel is 100 mm, the thickness is 3.2 mm, and its seat is 10 mm. Depending on the type of chain, you can select a sharpening angle from 0° to 30°. There is a sharpening depth limiter on the body of the device - it is necessary so that during operation you do not accidentally cut the chain with excessive pressure.

The working disk is covered on top with a plastic protection and a transparent shield that protects the eyes from sparks. The device comes with a special metal rod that locks the disk if it needs to be unscrewed and replaced. By the way, if this rod is lost, then instead of it you can use a piece of ordinary 6-piece wire rod. The entire device weighs only 2 kg.

DIOLD M3-0.13

The machine is a Russian brand, but of Chinese origin. This device is not for felling trees, but at home it will be a real salvation. The motor power is 130 W. At the same time, it accelerates the disc to 2500 rpm - it is not suitable for serial sharpening, but restoring the chain teeth 1 - 2 times a day is quite enough. There is a good cast sole that will firmly (without play) hold the chain when the device is correctly and securely fastened to the table. By the way, fasteners for the sole to the table are also included in the kit.

The device comes with an original sharpening disc with a diameter of 100 mm, a seat of 10 mm and a thickness of 3.5 mm. The quality of the disc is good (no need to change it immediately after purchase). If you need a device for the garage to sharpen the chain of your gas or electric saw from time to time, the inexpensive DIOLD M3-0.13 will be a good purchase.

Rezer EG235-CN

This is a good, powerful, heavy machine for regularly sharpening saw chains. It can sharpen chains at 0.325, 0.375 and 0.404 inch pitches. Pitch adjustment is done using a side screw. The chain is fastened not by an automatic system, but by eccentric tensioners. The machine has good casting, all elements are made of metal. Note that there is a large disk with a diameter of 145 mm and a thickness of 4.5 mm. Its mounting socket is 22.2 mm. The 235 W motor accelerates the saw blade to 3000 rpm.

This model is equipped with a backlight, which is located near the disk. It starts when the device is turned on. True, the backlight is not an LED bulb, but an incandescent lamp. A nice feature is the presence of a second sharpening disc, which is included in the kit. Its thickness is 3.2 mm. The sharpening machine weighs 5.8 kg. There is a detailed video review of this device online.

Champion C2001

The model from Champion is equipped with a 230 W motor that rotates the saw attachment at a speed of 3000 rpm. This machine for sharpening chainsaw chains, like the previous device, works with discs with a diameter of 145 mm and a thickness of 4.5 mm. Mounting socket 22.2 mm. In principle, the disks of these two machines are interchangeable. Note that here the sharpening angle of the chain can be made in the range from 0° to 40°. At the same time, the rotating platform itself has a ratchet, and when switching you will hear a characteristic sound. Below the platform there is a tightening screw for securely fixing the chain.

The base itself with the motor and sharpening disk can change the angle of inclination in the horizontal and vertical planes in the range from 40° to 90°. Thanks to this, you can adjust the device as accurately as possible for perfect sharpening of the chainsaw chain. There is a backlight that gives a good overview of the work area. Additionally, the kit includes an abrasive stone. Overall this is a great model for the money.

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Automatic

An automatic chain sharpening machine is quite expensive. For this reason, they are used mainly by large service centers or enterprises specializing in industrial logging, which have a large number of chain saws in service.

Already from the name of the machine it becomes clear that it works without the help of an operator, that is, it independently feeds the chain and sharpens the tooth edge.

There is no point in dwelling in more detail on the technical characteristics and operating principle of such a machine, since depending on the model, the operating principle may vary. For clarity, we invite you to watch a video review of an automatic sharpening machine.

How to tell if a chain is dull

A visual inspection is often not enough. Due to constant friction against the wood, the edges of the chain are always shiny. Only experienced “pilots” can determine the sharpness by eye.

The moment of need for sharpening is determined by characteristic changes in working with the device:

• During operation, the saw begins to tear from your hands, not cutting, but catching wood fibers.
• The passing blade does not produce large chips - fines and dust fall out.
• The cut is made very slowly, the saw gets stuck in the soft material and stops in place, does not want to go forward on oak or ash.
• After work, it feels like the chain is very hot.
• Fuel consumption increases.

A combination of several signs indicates that it is time for sharpening.

Summarizing

Thus, the best machine is a device that meets the stated requirements in all respects and has positive reviews from users. By comparing the parameters of most products, you can choose an excellent option, new items from universal models at an affordable price.

It is important not to make mistakes when choosing. It should be remembered that the Russian supply market is almost 20% filled with counterfeits from China, copying the external forms of instruments from recognized manufacturers. Therefore, buying a cheap machine made by unknown craftsmen may turn out to be a bad purchase. In this case, it will not meet the requirements and will not provide warranty obligations.

The question of which company’s product is best to buy can only be resolved by contacting stores or representative offices of trusted companies that have the necessary licenses. The best manufacturers value their reputation.

Enjoy the shopping!

Why not with a file?

The chainsaw chain can also be sharpened by hand. On forums you periodically come across advice on proper sharpening, as well as the opinion that “all these machines of yours” are complete nonsense.

A number of advantages that sharpening on a machine provides regularly refute this opinion.

1. Machine sharpening is much faster - it takes several minutes for one chain, while an experienced person will spend at least half an hour on a medium chain. Well, a beginner will spend half a day fiddling around. Well, time is still money.
2. The machine allows you to obtain precise sharpening geometry, the same on all links . Such a result can only be achieved manually by someone who has sharpened chains all his life.
3. Even an inexperienced user can use the machine . High-quality manual work requires a skill that takes years to develop.