chain grinder

1270d · January 01, 2014, 10:50:51 AM

I'm wondering if anyone has any info about the older Oregon 511's. Is there anyplace where they can still be purchased? I wore out my old one, then the frame cracked. Replaced it with one of the new 511ax, and I don't like it at all.

Are there other simple, decent quality units out there? I'm not against spending more money to get a decent unit. Not interested in something from tractor supply or harbor freight or some such junk.

I use it to grind harvester chain (404 80guage) and do quite a few loops a week.

Thanks
Mike

mad murdock · January 01, 2014, 11:17:11 AM

Any chance of searching for a used silvey? They made some top notch grinders.

1270d · January 01, 2014, 01:05:11 PM

Thanks it does look like the silvey 510 would be a good unit to get. Are there others similar to it that are still manufactured by another company?

Corley5 · January 01, 2014, 07:41:16 PM

I bought a MAXX grinder when I got my firewood machine. I've ground miles of 18H harvester chain with it with no complaints.

bandmiller2 · January 01, 2014, 08:29:22 PM

Mike,have a couple of stiff drinks and order a Silvey it will only smart for a little wile. Alot of harvestor chains in a week would tax a cheap grinder. I have a Silvey square grinder its one of those machines that you shut off and it spins for five minutes real pleasure to use. Frank C.

Philbert · January 01, 2014, 10:02:11 PM

You can still find the Oregon 510 for under $300. It is very similar to the 511A, except for the vise tilt feature (+/- 10 degrees).

If you still have your broken grinder, the parts probably fit as well.

Philbert

http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/accessories/510a-benchchaingrinder.htm

http://www.oregonproducts.com/pdfs/510A_A107101-AB_low-res.pdf

Beefie · January 01, 2014, 10:09:43 PM

Silvey no longer makes grinders or any thing else for that matter. They still have replacement parts. That is straight out of the guys over at Madseens. They are replaing them with simington grinders.

Beefie

bandmiller2 · January 02, 2014, 07:32:07 AM

That's a shame about Silvey, they have had a pattened battle with simington for a long time. Frank C.

snowstorm · January 02, 2014, 08:56:12 AM

i have the 511ax its ok but there has to be something better. what do you not like about it? i saw a silva at the woods equipment show.looked good but lots of $$. i think its made in quebec

ladylake · January 02, 2014, 09:00:11 AM

What's wrong with the 511ax, I've also run a 511 for 30+ years . Steve

Yatt · January 02, 2014, 02:28:54 PM

Sadly Silvey is no more. :(

I had a deal worked out with my dealer where he was going to sell me one of his Silvey 510's until he found out it could not be replaced. He called the two places he purchased from in the past and there are none to be had.

1270d · January 02, 2014, 05:21:31 PM

I don't like the vise on the ax. And the new frame has a ton of flex compared to the old style. We still have an old model at the shop and I've been driving over to use that one rather than the ax in my basement. The old style cam vise is quite a bit faster for me as well.

Beefie · January 02, 2014, 10:26:00 PM

The Oregon 511 is a good grinder. Not bad priced as well. I have a knock off of this grinder and am happy with it. If I were doing it for a living than I would buck up and find a used silvey or a new simington. Its all in what you spend. Buy something inexpensive and run the snot out of it and replace it every few years or spend a little more and get some life out of it.

Just my 2cents worth.

Beefie

Philbert · January 02, 2014, 11:19:09 PM

QuoteIf I were doing it for a living than I would buck up and find a used silvey or a new simington.

Does Simington make anything besides a square grind unit?

Philbert

Birchwood Logging · January 03, 2014, 11:49:34 AM

I got a good 511a not been used much still on its first stone I don't use it any I might be interested in selling

Philbert · January 03, 2014, 12:57:36 PM

Curious: What do you guys like better about the 511A vise over the 511AX?

(I have used a 511A for several years. I also bought a Tecomec grinder with the same self-centering vise as the 511AX, but have not used it yet).

Philbert

1270d · January 03, 2014, 07:36:42 PM

Maybe its just from old habits etc but the one size fits all vise on the ax doesn't really fit anything well. It is floppy and the chain doesn't move through it nicely. I don't like having to rotate the clamp to lock the chain in place, its a weird motion in relation to what your hands are doing otherwise. The older wedge lock I like better. Personal preference more than anything.

Birchwood, I'm looking into.a Silvey right now but might be interested.

Birchwood Logging · January 05, 2014, 05:40:51 PM

Here is a pic

huntindog1 · January 05, 2014, 05:50:28 PM

MasterMech knows alot about saws and grinders you might ask him. I think he is now over at firewoodhoarders.

SLawyer Dave · January 06, 2014, 02:28:16 AM

I've never used a grinder. I touch up my chains with a hand file, and when/if that doesn't work anymore, I take them in to my dealer to have them sharpened. It can be kind of pricey, but its always worked for me. Hearing about lots of people here on the Forum that do their own sharpening, I have been wondering whether I should look into trying this.

I was in my local hardware store yesterday, (my Stihl dealer was already closed and I needed to pick up some bar oil), and they had this small handheld electric chain sharpener/grinder, from Oregon. At its price, ($35.00), I figure it must be crap, but I know a lot of you on here love Oregon products, so was wondering if any of you knew anything about it, and if so, what you thought of it.

Thanks

Philbert · January 06, 2014, 03:34:35 AM

I believe that the Oregon and STIHL rotary grinders are made by, or are very similar to, the Granberg ones. They are similar to using a Dremel tool, except many (all?) are 12 volt, allowing you to run them off of your vehicle battery in the field.

In my mind they are more suitable for touch ups, although, I am sure that some guys use them as their primary means for sharpening chains. A lot of these have been sold and are in use.

The diameter of the stone changes as it wears, so it may be less precise than some other methods, but still can put an edge on cutters. They could be helpful in some milling applications, where removing a chain for sharpening takes additional steps.

Philbert

bandmiller2 · January 06, 2014, 07:46:47 AM

We all have our opinions but you get what you pay for, those small sharpeners are weekend homeowner stuff, I consider the 511 the minimum for serious grinding. I have a 511 I bought in 1976 when they just started showing up from Italy. Mine is still going strong and will probably outlast me. My other grinder is a Silvey Razor sharp 2 square grinder. Most of us would not buy a cheap saw, why buy a diddly grinder.?? Frank C.

Grandedog · January 06, 2014, 01:38:16 PM

Howdy,
The 511A has been discontinued, and replaced by the 510A. The biggest difference is that they don't have a tilting vise.
Regards
Gregg

H 2 H · January 06, 2014, 02:07:21 PM

Quote from: Grandedog on January 06, 2014, 01:38:16 PM
Howdy,
The 511A has been discontinued, and replaced by the 510A. The biggest difference is that they don't have a tilting vise.
Regards
Gregg

Greg; what has been the best selling chain grinder at Baileys ?

Grandedog · January 06, 2014, 02:41:56 PM

Howdy,
If you look at just 1 model, it's the Maxx. If you consider that they sell the Oregon Brand, and Tecomec (manufacturer of Oregon branded grinders), the 511AX / Speed Sharp Star would be the best seller by a little bit.
Regards
Gregg