Timberline Chain Sharpener

[dirtydeed]

First time using this sharpener.

All I can say is WOW.

I've been using the Stihl 2 in 1 sharpener which has been pretty good. However, this timberline contraption seems to do a great job. Points are cat claw "sticky". Tomorrow, I'll do the larger saw chains.

The only downside I see is that it doesn't touch the depth gauges. The Stihl 2 in 1 can can take care of that maybe every other sharpening.

I did see a number of China knockoffs with less than stellar reviews. The Timberline is the real deal and made in USA.

 

[85Hokie]

I just had the company buy this one - a lot more expensive but I can sharpen a 18" chain in about 3 minutes.

Those that somehow place the saw in the "dirt" I can have them up and running again quickly.

 

[Flintknapper]

I have the Timberline also. Takes a little while to set it up..but does a good job. I don't use it to 'sharpen' my chains...as it simply takes too much material off. I found its best use is to 'reshape' the cutters from time to time...when file sharpening has gotten their profile off a bit.

Also if you happen to hit something hard and damage a tooth on the chain. It will quickly restore the cutter.

For me (over 50 years of using chainsaws and file sharpening chains) using a file to quickly 'dress' a chain is much faster and easier. BUT....if you are not adept at hand filing OR have a let a chain get really dull, the Timberline will bring it back to life.

 

[Yooper]

I use it to sharpen the teeth on my 36” saw. Just can’t get motivated to file that many teeth. Also, there is something very satisfying about feeling that carbide cutter doing its job.

 

[InTheWoods]

The timberline is an interesting design - I like that one setup lets you sharpen all the teeth, compared to my needing to flip the bar around to get the 'other' side. I also like that one tool accommodates different size chain teeth with just a different carbide cutter.

That said...

...I've been using the Stihl 2 in 1 sharpener which has been pretty good...

Me too. That 2 in 1 was a game changer for me. It's fast, simple, and makes the teeth as sharp as I need. I used to hand file by 'eye', and I just wasn't skilled enough - I'd get the geometry screwed up well before the chain reached the end of its useful life, necessitating a regrind by someone with a 'fixtured grinder' style of tool.

Not any more - my last chain got sharpened numerous times with the Stihl 2 in 1 and the geometry stayed near perfect until I'd whittled the teeth down to their limit.

 

[Geezer3d]

i use the chain sharpener attachment on my Dremel. It is inexpensive, simple to use, and just as fast as the expensive sharpeners.

 

[RCW]

Does look pretty slick.

I’ve always hand-filed. There’s times where they get out of whack and can be hard to get back filing by hand.

Something like that could restore them better than I can - like @Flintknapper says.

 

[MOOTS]

I’ve had great success with the Husqvarna doohickey at home. Helps with muscle memory for in the field.

All of the chains at work get tossed on the grinder as most of the guys stick them in the dirt.

@dirtydeed which way do you spin that thing? Into the top of the tooth or out of it? Does it create a burr like a grinder will?

 

[hodge]

I just had the company buy this one - a lot more expensive but I can sharpen a 18" chain in about 3 minutes.

Those that somehow place the saw in the "dirt" I can have them up and running again quickly.

View attachment 143730

That's what I use. I like it.

 

[Flintknapper]

Does look pretty slick.

I’ve always hand-filed. There’s times where they get out of whack and can be hard to get back filing by hand.

Something like that could restore them better than I can - like @Flintknapper says.

Agreed. It will quickly re-profile the teeth/cutters.

I also use it on my big saws which see less use but I run .404 chain on them. .404 is MUCH larger than 3/8" and its easier to use the Timberline on them than to file all the time.

.404 chain will hog out 'chips' as big as your fingernails and is durable, long lasting chain. But once dull....you'll spend a long time hand filing it, so the Timberline is handy there.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

That 2 in 1 was a game changer for me. It's fast, simple, and makes the teeth as sharp as I need.

Yep. I hit a few licks every other tank, and my chains stay sharp.

If I really blunt the chain by hitting a rock or some metal in the wood, I'll take it to the Oregon sharpener to repair it.

But I rarely need the Oregon anymore.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Get a carbide chain and you wonder why you never had one before.
They stay sharp no matter what you cut, they are designed as a wrecking saw blade.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I've tried a carbide impregnated chain. I was NOT impressed. I think it may be still laying around somewhere, unloved and unwanted. Or maybe I threw it out already....

I have not used the kind the firefighters use, with actual carbide teeth brazed on like a carbide circular saw blade, but I have heard they stay sharp but don't cut very fast.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

The timberline is an interesting design - I like that one setup lets you sharpen all the teeth, compared to my needing to flip the bar around to get the 'other' side. I also like that one tool accommodates different size chain teeth with just a different carbide cutter.

That said...



Me too. That 2 in 1 was a game changer for me. It's fast, simple, and makes the teeth as sharp as I need. I used to hand file by 'eye', and I just wasn't skilled enough - I'd get the geometry screwed up well before the chain reached the end of its useful life, necessitating a regrind by someone with a 'fixtured grinder' style of tool.

Not any more - my last chain got sharpened numerous times with the Stihl 2 in 1 and the geometry stayed near perfect until I'd whittled the teeth down to their limit.

View attachment 143745

+1 on this tool. I love this thing.

I am always amazed at how many "gadgets" there are out there for chainsaw sharpening.

I must admit that I have not tried any other method though, and I do not use my saw nearly as much as some of y'all.

I'm taking the , "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach on this.

 

[John T]

I guess I'm in the minority but I have always used JUST a round file.

that's it. no guide/no gadgets

follow the line on the top of the tooth.... 3 swipes and move on.
every tank of gas I give the chain a quick touch up.

Even in the rare case you hit something and bugger up a tooth, It's easily fix.
if you know what your doing.

new files and/or keeping them clean is also important.

 

[Flintknapper]

I've tried a carbide impregnated chain. I was NOT impressed. I think it may be still laying around somewhere, unloved and unwanted. Or maybe I threw it out already....

I have not used the kind the firefighters use, with actual carbide teeth brazed on like a carbide circular saw blade, but I have heard they stay sharp but don't cut very fast.

^^^^

Correct.

I keep a carbide chain on a small saw for cutting stumps close to the ground or other brush that I know will be dirty.

They DO stay sharp for a long time...but do NOT cut as fast as conventional teeth on a chain.

Be sure to buy only carbide 'tipped' chains, not anything coated or impregnated.

 

[dirtydeed]

I’ve had great success with the Husqvarna doohickey at home. Helps with muscle memory for in the field.

All of the chains at work get tossed on the grinder as most of the guys stick them in the dirt.

@dirtydeed which way do you spin that thing? Into the top of the tooth or out of it? Does it create a burr like a grinder will?

You have to always turn it clockwise... so, it's into the top of the tooth. I didn't see any burrs.

 

[Flintknapper]

You have to always turn it clockwise... so, it's into the top of the tooth. I didn't see any burrs.

I've never experienced any 'burrs'. It leaves the tooth VERY sharp and the carbide cutters remove the material effortlessly.