The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Timber Framing/Log construction => Topic started by: LOGDOG on February 27, 2010, 09:56:16 PM

Title: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: LOGDOG on February 27, 2010, 09:56:16 PM
Can any of you guys that have either a Makita or Mafell chain mortiser tell me if the chains can be sharpened? And if so, is it a bear of a task? Considering a purchase and noticed that the chains were quite an expensive item. Thought I'd ask a few questions before dropping some cash.

Thanks as always.  :)
Title: Re: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: Jim_Rogers on February 28, 2010, 08:48:36 AM
Yes they can be sharpened.

But they are not sharpened like you would a regular chain saw tooth.

The chain is different and it needs to be sharpened straight across:

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10095/DSCF3275_s.JPG)

I have not sharpened mine since I got it. And there are shops that others have told me about who can do these for you. You'd remove the chain, ship it out to them, they'd sharpen them for you, and send them back. I think the most reasonable costs I heard about a place in Maine was $60 per chain. I don't know if that includes the shipping back or not.

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: LOGDOG on February 28, 2010, 09:41:54 AM
Thank you Jim. I hadn't been able to see the chain close up like that and it helps. How long have you been running yours without a sharpening? I suppose for the most part you're in clean, pre-scanned wood so the chain should keep an edge a good while. Is yours carbide tipped or no?

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: Jim_Rogers on February 28, 2010, 10:03:22 AM
Well, I don't use it all the time, so I don't know for sure how many hours one it.

Maybe three small shed frames and one barn worth of mortises.....

Mine is not tipped in any way, and I don't think many are, but I could be 100% wrong on that.

Yes and don't plunge into any timber with bared wire in it for sure... that can really ruin your day, and chain..... and if you don't have a back up chain really set you back time wise for getting your job done.

And I don't have a back up chain, but they supplied some type of file holder that you're suppose to be able to use to hold your file at the correct spot or angle so that you can file your own chains, but I have never tried it.

Lots of times we just use boring machines instead. We have them on hand most of the time and they are fun and quite to use. And don't require electricity ....
Title: Re: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: maineframer on March 05, 2010, 05:59:43 PM
I think we pay $14.00 plus shipping. Depending on how large the frame is we can get pretty good mileage between sharpenings. Two small frames or one large frame and your chain will be pretty ripe. The shipping is fairly reasonable we save up our bits and blades and send them all in at once.
Title: Re: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: shad on March 06, 2010, 11:43:53 PM
Maineframer, where do you send yours to have it sharpened?
Title: Re: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: maineframer on March 27, 2010, 06:05:50 PM
Superior carbide in Lewiston, Maine is where we send ours.
They do a good job.
Title: Re: Sharpening a Chain Mortiser chain?
Post by: Jim_Rogers on March 27, 2010, 06:14:40 PM
I found this listing for them:

Superior Carbide Sharpening
60 Taylor Hill Road
Lewiston, ME 04240-2609
(207) 782-3793‎

And:
Superior Carbide Sharpening Sales & Service
105 Winter Street
Lewiston, ME‎ -
(800) 498-9997‎

Which one is correct?

You may have to call to find out.....