For carpenters, hobbyists, or gardeners, a chainsaw is an essential tool for completing various domestic and professional projects, so it is essential that at the time of use, it is ready to do its job very well. To ensure that its performance is satisfactory, you should consider purchasing a chainsaw sharpener.
Chainsaw sharpeners are practical tools that you will often use because chainsaws do not stay sharp for long, and if they are used a lot, you need to resort to the sharpener several times. Before buying the best chainsaw sharpener, you should consider several factors.
Whether you’re buying your first chainsaw sharpener or replacing the one you have, this guide is for you. We will explain how to choose the chainsaw sharpener at affordable prices, and we will examine some models on the market, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
Why buy a chainsaw sharpener?
We all agree that sharp blades improve the performance of the chainsaw and reduce the risk of injury. After a while, they are used, they start to have problems slowing down the work. Some people sharpen the chain in hardware stores, others prefer to buy a new one every time, but for those who use it frequently, it is more practical to buy a chainsaw sharpener and have a tool always ready to use at hand.
The blades lose their cutting power after a few hours of use, but with a sharpener available, you will never have to worry about giving up your tasks. There are several varieties of chain sharpeners on the market. It is up to you to decide which one to buy.
Types of chain sharpener:
To make your chainsaw as effective as the day it was first purchased, it is essential to keep the chain blades sharp. This simple operation will ensure that cutting a piece of wood is not a sacrifice, as a sharp blade reduces application time, decreases the chance of the saw getting caught and causing kickback.
Furthermore, a sharp chain slows down its wear, and less battery is used to cut. There are four types of sharpeners: manual sharpeners, electric sharpeners, portable sharpeners, and bar-mounted sharpeners.
Manual sharpeners
The manual chainsaw sharpener is to be preferred if you opt to make sporadic use of the chainsaw. The manual sharpener works slower than an electric model, and the work is less precise, but it is more comfortable to carry with you. The price of the chain sharpener is quite affordable.
Electric sharpeners
Electric sharpeners are the fastest and preferred by professionals. They are easy to use and do not require any muscle strength during the sharpening operation. With these sharpeners, the chain is locked and held in position between a guide bar resulting in a correct sharpening angle.
Once you start sharpening, the wheel will move at a constant speed. This type of sharpening machine corrects the depth and angle of sharpening. It is expensive, and if you are inexperienced, the installation can be confusing.
Portable chainsaw sharpeners
It is the most common sharpener and also the easiest to use. It is a standard sharpening file available in different diameters to adapt to different chain sizes. It is simple to put into operation; slide it on the tip of the chain. However, this movement requires muscle strength and practice.
There are many precautions to follow, significantly not to damage the cutting angle of the chain. It is the right purchase for those who occasionally use chainsaws and rarely need to sharpen the chain. It is inexpensive and takes longer to sharpen.
Bar-mounted chainsaw sharpener
Bar mounted sharpeners are not electric, but this is not a defect as they offer an intensive sharpening process compared to manual sharpeners. To be used, you need a workbench or a flat surface to place it. The knobs are used to set the depth and angle of filing. The disadvantage of the bar-mounted sharpener is that the chain must be removed for sharpening.
Which chainsaw sharpener to buy?
If you use the chainsaw a lot, the electric sharpener is the best buy, but the manual sharpener is the cheapest if you use it occasionally. Before making the purchase, let’s see which elements you will need to take into consideration.
Compatibility of the chain
The market offers a variety of sharpeners that do not fit all chains. Before choosing the sharpener, you must be sure that it is compatible with the chain you use in size and material.
The problem shouldn’t arise if you buy an electric sharpener as it is adjustable and compatible with many chains; the problem could arise if the choice falls on a manual sharpener.
Consider your needs
If you will use the chainsaw frequently or on wooden surfaces that frequently blunt the chain, you will probably want to buy a professional and long-lasting product that makes your work easier and makes you waste little energy and time.
In this case, the choice will fall on an electric sharpener, but if you will use the chainsaw sporadically, it is not worth spending a lot of money but opts for the manual or even portable model.
Materials
When buying a chainsaw sharpener, it is essential to evaluate the construction material to avoid unnecessary investment. Sharpening machines made from metal are best as sharpening involves metal on metal.
Also, the more professional models have built-in safety mechanisms. The cheap models have a plastic structure, and if used frequently, they risk breaking easily.
Power
The power is to be considered if you opt for an electric sharpener; the more influential the sharpener is, the better the sharpening will be. The size of the motor varies from 75 to 300 Watts.
It would help if you kept in mind that the more influential the motor, the higher the sharpener’s cost. Still, concerning the motor, it is necessary to check the RPM, i.e., the rotations per minute that the motor can generate since the higher the value and the faster the sharpener turns the chain.
Frequency of use
The frequency of use is an essential element to take into consideration. If you use the chainsaw many times, you need to grind the chains, so the best choice is an electric chain sharpener because it accelerates the sharpening in a precise way. But if you use the chainsaw occasionally, it is sufficient to opt for a portable file.
The five best chainsaw sharpeners
To perform a fast and efficient cut, you need a well-sharpened chainsaw; to get good results with little energy waste, you need a good sharpener. We offer you the five best chainsaw sharpeners on the market to help you quickly find the model that suits your needs.
1. Oregon 410-230 – Professional chain sharpener
The Oregon chainsaw sharpener is an excellent choice for those occasionally using the chainsaw on a semi-professional level. It is powered by the current, has a power of 1.2 Amp, without hydraulic clamping, weighs just over 8 kilograms. It is available in three color variants: red, black, and gray. It is mounted on a table, bench, or wall.
It is a very high-level instrument; it has a built-in light that allows you to see what you are doing and uses a one-way motor. The sharpener is supplied with three different wheels to sharpen different types of chainsaws. Once the configuration is set, the machine makes the chains razor sharp.
Advantages: it has a unidirectional motor, a built-in light for more excellent safety, less energy, and quick work.
Disadvantages: the price is a bit expensive, the weight of six kilograms begins to be bulky for possible movements.
Oregon Scientific
Oregon Scientific is an easy-to-use professional sharpener with excellent results. It is powered by electricity, has three different wheels, a quick rotation, and sets the top plate and the angle downwards.
For greater comfort and safety, the position of the handle can be customized. Also, the machine is equipped with a unidirectional motor and a light source to carry out work with precision.
Oregon is a reputable brand, and this chain sharpener has a variety of settings that allow you to customize the equipment to suit your needs. This product is recommended for consumers who regularly use the chainsaw and frequently need to sharpen the chain.
Advantages: it has three wheels, it is versatile and suitable for use with blades of different sizes, it has customizable settings, it is powerful.
Disadvantages: the price may not be affordable for everyone. It is suitable for professional rather than occasional use. Users consider the machine to be robust, and it fully met their expectations. Someone suggested replacing the bulb with a Led for more brightness.
2. Granberg G-106B – Manual chain sharpener
It is a bar-mounted manual chainsaw sharpener. It is suitable for users who have little experience in sharpening chainsaws but looking for a sharpener that gives results as satisfactory as an electric model.
The sharpener is made of die-cast aluminum combined with galvanized steel. It is resistant despite weighing less than a kilogram. The sharpener can be adapted to any saw and works with any file size.
Also, it has calibrated rotation marks to allow fixing and maintain the correct sharpening angle. Integrated functions allow users to set tool length and file height for even more precise sharpening.
Advantages: fast sharpening, durable material, adjustable chain, compatible with different chainsaws, affordable price.
Disadvantages: It doesn’t come with files.
3. Lanceasy – Portable chain sharpener
Lanceasy chain sharpener is battery-powered and economical and makes sharpening easy. It has a power of 12 V and weighs just over a kilogram. If you have a car or anything else with a battery, this handy sharpener can be used. The sharpener is equipped with three sizes of the grinding wheel; to use it on different chains, it is light and portable.
It is made with a shockproof and wear-resistant cover that helps the instrument not only to last a long time but also not to overheat during use. Also, the sharpener is equipped with a spindle lock that makes changing the grinding wheel quick and easy.
Benefits: Three wheels are included; it is portable, does not overheat, and has an anti-aging and shockproof cover.
Disadvantages: It has a short cable.
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