I want to buy the Granberg file and joint and a dozen files, I think Pferd. Maybe a few Save Edge files too but I read they are a rough file that doesn't give a good final edge on a tooth.
The catch is that the Granberg is out of stock at Baileys. While they say coming soon they have been saying that for awhile. I want to get this package before the Christmas rush craziness gets too silly. The Not to be Named folks do have it in stock and even on sale but being contrary thataway and agreeing with the reasons for not buying there they are a last choice option. When I did a search looking for options Amazon came up, fulfilled through the not to be names folks!
I would like to pay only one shipping charge for everything so what are a couple fallbacks for Bailey's for this kind of stuff, board sponsors favored of course. Also I notice there is a similar Stihl/Oregon file guide. It is a little pricier but I'm assuming also of lesser quality since people seem to favor the Granberg. How does the quality compare between the two, or to cut to the chase should I just buy the Oregon from Baileys that they do have in stock.
Thanks,
Hu
Not sure if they have them or not but check with Cutters Choice. They are out of PA I believe. They have Canadian stores also and I have never had a problem with anything I've ordered from them. I have found that their online catalog is a little lacking but their sales staff are really good, and they usually have what I'm looking for.
FB
I have used both the Granberg file and joint and similar Stihl product. Both will work just fine. With that said, if you want the best. The Stihl guide is simply a better product. The tolerances are better, the metal used is stronger, it much more rigid, the angles are more accurate. I also find the chain clamp holds better as well. The bad part? well the Stihl guide is more expensive. ;)
Quote from: Andyshine77 on November 30, 2013, 03:20:51 AM
I have used both the Granberg file and joint and similar Stihl product. Both will work just fine. With that said, if you want the best. The Stihl guide is simply a better product. The tolerances are better, the metal used is stronger, it much more rigid, the angles are more accurate. I also find the chain clamp holds better as well. The bad part? well the Stihl guide is more expensive. ;)
Andre,
There seems to be some confusion to put it mildly! When I check one place the Stihl is just a rebadged Oregon which has plastic in critical areas including the main frame. When I go to the Stihl USA site they don't seem to offer either Granberg type guide, just the handheld two in one file guide. I do see a picture of a nice looking unit of the same general design as the Granberg that looks like it bolts on the bench and you sharpen the chain off the bar but it isn't listed anywhere I can find at the Stihl site. I would be interested in one of those. Can you give me the proper name, possibly a model number so I can see if I can chase one down old stock somewhere maybe? There is a small picture of the unit I am talking about on this page if the link works.
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/accessories/saw-chain-maintenance/
I am going check out Cutters Choice also. Thanks for that lead FB!
Hu
That's the guide I was referring to, It's called the, FG2 Bench mount filing guide. You can order it from any Stihl dealer. Here is the pdf. https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=70865.0;attach=5343
Forgot the Granberg was a bar mount guide, sorry for the confusion.
Not sure if they have it, but give Casey a call at Left Coast Supply.
I gave up on baileys long ago and shop elsewhere now. If cutterchoice dont have it try treestuff.
$26.95
A sleepless night last night, well until nearly five AM, so I had plenty of time for homework. Stihl did market that bench mount and a similar bar mount. Both seem to be out of production now. Must be pretty good or pretty rare, I only found one for sale new or used. It is in Germany, can be had for $205 US plus another seventy shipping, not sure about any duties or other fees but when we are talking ten times the price of the Granberg I have to admit I'm more interested in one of the high quality grinders that show up occasionally in that general price range used.
Cutters Choice sells two of the bar mount units, good prices but the better offering seems to be the Oregon plastic framed unit which I don't want.
Looking around last night I found there were far more different versions of this file guide made than I ever realized. There is an older version of the Oregon which seems to be heavy all metal construction with the possible exception of the piece that swivels for horizontal adjustment. It is readily available on fleabay as a yellow unit or with red paint as a Craftsman branded guide. Anyone know anything about these? Can they sharpen Square ground chain? Is that black Swivel metal or plastic?
I'm not going to square file immediately for the work I'm doing but it is in the plan in the future for one specialty job I do pretty often. I want a bar just for that job too. Might be handy to have a separate saw to not have to change bars back and forth too. The CAD affliction seems to be creeping in!
I will check out what TreeStuff and Left Coast Supply has to offer. Aside from these items I am adding all of the leads to my list of suppliers for future reference so all suggestions are a big help regardless.
Thanks to everyone! The search continues. Currently seems like I'm back to the Granberg for new production, maybe the old style Oregon used. Would be a little pricey but maybe possible to build a frankenstien monster from the two then use the left over pieces to build something just for filing rakers. Looks like I could do that for under $60 plus shipping on the Granberg so still well in the feasible range.
Hu
Quote from: shootingarts on November 30, 2013, 11:55:47 AM
Cutters Choice sells two of the bar mount units, good prices but the better offering seems to be the Oregon plastic framed unit which I don't want.
Looking around last night I found there were far more different versions of this file guide made than I ever realized. There is an older version of the Oregon which seems to be heavy all metal construction with the possible exception of the piece that swivels for horizontal adjustment. It is readily available on fleabay as a yellow unit or with red paint as a Craftsman branded guide. Anyone know anything about these? Can they sharpen Square ground chain? Is that black Swivel metal or plastic?
Hu
I have one of the Oregon all metal units [picked up at a garage sale for a few dollars], the only thing plastic on it is the adjusting screw covers,the part with the reference numbers on them. Used it a few times, but I could sharpen a chain using the Oregon file holder style guides in the same amount of time it takes to set up and adjust the bar mount unit, so don't use it much. Oregon used to sell two versions; standard and pro, don't know if they still do. Don't have any idea about using it for square ground chain.
Did you call or go to any Stihl dealers? The guide was still available less than a year ago.
Quote from: Andyshine77 on November 30, 2013, 01:49:33 PM
Did you call or go to any Stihl dealers? The guide was still available less than a year ago.
Andre,
Holiday weekend. I'll touch base with my local guy Tuesday or Wednesday. I don't know if he opened at all today and when they are open a few hours on Saturday they don't have time to do much digging for something. Mondays are bad too, probably a lot worse after a holiday. If the Stihl unit, fg-1 or fg-2 are availably and are under a hundred dollars or around that price they are in the running. If the normal price on those is $200 plus tax locally they are still more than I am willing to pay.
Hu
Quote from: Caloren on November 30, 2013, 01:33:43 PM
I have one of the Oregon all metal units [picked up at a garage sale for a few dollars], the only thing plastic on it is the adjusting screw covers,the part with the reference numbers on them. Used it a few times, but I could sharpen a chain using the Oregon file holder style guides in the same amount of time it takes to set up and adjust the bar mount unit, so don't use it much. Oregon used to sell two versions; standard and pro, don't know if they still do. Don't have any idea about using it for square ground chain.
Thanks, sounds like the old Oregon is certainly worth a look too. I'll try to do my homework concerning old information on them. Probably overthinking this thing but that is pretty standard for me!
Hu
Hu
Are you interested in the older all metal filing guide? Like this one?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/100_1301.JPG)
Quote from: shootingarts on November 30, 2013, 02:31:38 PM
Quote from: Andyshine77 on November 30, 2013, 01:49:33 PM
Did you call or go to any Stihl dealers? The guide was still available less than a year ago.
Andre,
Holiday weekend. I'll touch base with my local guy Tuesday or Wednesday. I don't know if he opened at all today and when they are open a few hours on Saturday they don't have time to do much digging for something. Mondays are bad too, probably a lot worse after a holiday. If the Stihl unit, fg-1 or fg-2 are availably and are under a hundred dollars or around that price they are in the running. If the normal price on those is $200 plus tax locally they are still more than I am willing to pay.
Hu
sorry to say, but the fg 2 is in fact around 200 bucks. It is by far the best unit on the market, unfortunately the best doesn't come cheap.
Andre,
My issue is while I like manual things when I start paying hundreds of dollars for a file guide there is a fair chance of running across a very nice grinder for the same dollars or a little more. Another issue, unless one of the three or four Stihl dealers I occasionally get in the same town as has one in stock I'd be buying a pig in a poke. Might not like it after I get it for one reason or another. That reduces what I am willing to pay for something long distance too.
Beenthere,
Yes, I'm very interested in such a unit. Something solid can usually be tuned and tweaked if it isn't perfect, may be perfect to begin with. Nothing in the world short of remaking major parts is gonna help some of the units I have stumbled across since last night. What do you have in mind? Shoot me an e-mail at husa-at-live+com if you prefer talking thataway. Got to go sweep an acre or two with the unit behind a lawn tractor in a few minutes but I'll check messages as soon as I come back inside.
Hu
Quote from: shootingarts on November 30, 2013, 03:10:06 PM
Beenthere,
Yes, I'm very interested in such a unit. Something solid can usually be tuned and tweaked if it isn't perfect, may be perfect to begin with. Nothing in the world short of remaking major parts is gonna help some of the units I have stumbled across since last night. What do you have in mind? Shoot me an e-mail at husa-at-live+com if you prefer talking thataway. Got to go sweep an acre or two with the unit behind a lawn tractor in a few minutes but I'll check messages as soon as I come back inside.
Hu
Hu
Let's make a deal.
Estimate what you think it is worth to you (essentially never used) and gift that to the Forestry Forum. Then PM me your address and I will box it up and send it to you.
It then won't take up any more space on my bench and you can give it a good trial run.
I thought it was better made and better for adjusting than a Granberg that we used at work, but then I just continued hand filing. Just kept this guide around in case I thought my hand filing was going astray and I'd use this to get back on track. Hasn't happened the several years I've had it.
beenthere
beenthere,that is very nice of you. Merry Christmas beenthere.The heart of the forestry forum has stuck again. :)
Beenthere,
Obviously can't beat that deal with a stick! I'll scout what is a fair price and let you know. Blessed sweeper broke on me so I had to come inside for some measuring tools. Can't complain, I had little faith in it to begin with and it has held up to three or four years of very heavy use. Just have a broken frame member on it now so I'll splice it and roll some more.
Is there a name or model number on that thing anywhere? The prices of the old ones built by Oregon are all over the place. This one looks like the Craftsman with the red paint on it but is branded Oregon so I don't know what to compare it to.
Got to get back outside, I see I'm losing daylight fast. Thanks a bunch for doing this, always happier to deal with a fellow forum member than a stranger and this is a very nice thing for me and the forum. Much appreciated!
Hu
I see newer model is 23736a, and this one is older p/n 23736, made in Italy for the Oregon Saw Chain Division, Omark Industries.
No indication Craftsman had anything to do with it.
This is all metal, but for the adjusting screw knobs.
Your call.
Curious to what a sweeper is that you are using. Sometimes called a broom?
Quote from: shootingarts on November 30, 2013, 03:10:06 PM
Andre,
My issue is while I like manual things when I start paying hundreds of dollars for a file guide there is a fair chance of running across a very nice grinder for the same dollars or a little more. Another issue, unless one of the three or four Stihl dealers I occasionally get in the same town as has one in stock I'd be buying a pig in a poke. Might not like it after I get it for one reason or another. That reduces what I am willing to pay for something long distance too.
Beenthere,
I completely understand, I wouldn't pay that much for a file guide either. A good friend of mind did, and it sure in a step above the rest, but again costly. The bar mount guides work, but they are a bit cumbersome to use. I've been filing freehand or with a plate guide for 30 years now, so it's hard to change my ways. I'm also interested in these new roller guides Stihl just put on the market. They're cheap to.http://youtu.be/PAou6sakrN4
I had an Oregon 511AX grinder. Took a bit of time to get use to setting it up and what not. I simply was never able to duplicate the results I can with a file. IMHO these grinders are simply not worth the money, unless you have dozens of chains to sharpen on a regular basis.
Quote from: beenthere on November 30, 2013, 05:33:01 PM
I see newer model is 23736a, and this one is older p/n 23736, made in Italy for the Oregon Saw Chain Division, Omark Industries.
No indication Craftsman had anything to do with it.
This is all metal, but for the adjusting screw knobs.
Your call.
Curious to what a sweeper is that you are using. Sometimes called a broom?
The sweeper has the rotary brushes reverse rotating like a street sweeper. The leaves and grass are directed over the top of the brushes and backwards into a dump bin. With a light rope tied to the top of the bin and running forward to whatever I am pulling it with I can cut laps and dump the load by the burn pile without ever climbing off of the tractor or lawn tractor I am pulling with. It's a bear but I have swept up seven acres of Bahia with it a few times making a house sized pile of grass. Not sure of the size of the yard here, a bit under two acres at a guess and the sweeper is the cat's pajamas to pick up leaves in the fall. Lots of oak and pecan in the yard so after last weeks storms I dumped eight or ten bins of leaves today and ran out of daylight. Probaby a half a dozen more tomorrow. These things always looked mickeymouse to me but this one has held up fairly well despite having sealed drive gearing and bearings.
I did send you a PM earlier about the file guide. I'm not concerned about overpaying a little, I would be embarrassed to take advantage of your offer and underpay. Best I remember the old Oregon guides I found on fleabay last night ran from ten dollars buy it now to almost seventy for different models.
I'm starting to get a gimp in my giddy-up after not going to sleep until almost daylight this morning but I'll check out your model number soon. I think I recognize the second number, the "improved" version. They improved the file guide about like the IRS improves our tax returns every year. The improved version is the one with the plastic frame that is reported to flex badly.
Hu
Quote from: Andyshine77 on November 30, 2013, 05:46:09 PM
I completely understand, I wouldn't pay that much for a file guide either. A good friend of mind did, and it sure in a step above the rest, but again costly. The bar mount guides work, but they are a bit cumbersome to use. I've been filing freehand or with a plate guide for 30 years now, so it's hard to change my ways. I'm also interested in these new roller guides Stihl just put on the market. They're cheap to.http://youtu.be/PAou6sakrN4
I had an Oregon 511AX grinder. Took a bit of time to get use to setting it up and what not. I simply was never able to duplicate the results I can with a file. IMHO these grinders are simply not worth the money, unless you have dozens of chains to sharpen on a regular basis.
I do live on a fairly busy two-lane highway. If I were to get a good grinder and be pleased with my results I would consider hanging out a shingle. A lot of ifs, not really worried about it but I know there are some grinders around people aren't using. Logging all in this area, within a half mile of me recently, all pine. Those guys use a mix of saws and harvesters usually. Sharpening for them or for an old arborist I knew years ago who dropped every chain that touched wood that day off at a sharpening shop that night would be nice.
I might hand file for a few friends, kinfolk, and myself, No interest in hand filing what the home guys bring in by the time they give up on sharpening the chain themselves!
Hu
Andre i remember a thread sometime ago saying that the FS2 was to be discontinued in the states. I passed up on a good one a year ago for $25. Dope.
Quote from: angelo c on November 30, 2013, 08:38:04 PM
Andre i remember a thread sometime ago saying that the FS2 was to be discontinued in the states. I passed up on a good one a year ago for $25. Dope.
That may be the case, I doubt Stihl sold many of them.
I just received an order I placed from Treestuuf.com.
Fast service, all items in stock, best of all, free shipping for most items with a $100 order.
On another note the Stihl FG2 is not a current item, may be available at some dealers though.
I picked one up a month ago, quality built sharpener throughout, worth the $$ if you can find one.
Quote from: sweetjetskier on December 01, 2013, 09:19:16 PM
I just received an order I placed from Treestuuf.com.
Fast service, all items in stock, best of all, free shipping for most items with a $100 order.
On another note the Stihl FG2 is not a current item, may be available at some dealers though.
I picked one up a month ago, quality built sharpener throughout, worth the $$ if you can find one.
Thanks, good to know about good service and free shipping over a hundred dollars at Treestuff!
I'm going to keep my nose to the ground trying to sniff out a used or dead stock FG-1 or FG-2. Not willing to part with $220 or so for a new one once tax is added in but if and when I stumble on one at a price I'm willing to pay I'll score it, seems to be the nicest of these units. Might sic my nephew on the local Stihl shop and get him to see what they can scare up. He has a lawn service and quite a few acres of woods at his home where he is always finding another tree or three to take down so he does a lot more business with them than I do and a lot more often. They might cut him a sweet deal now on dead stock.
Hu
I've been filing freehand or with a plate guide for 30 years now, so it's hard to change my ways.< quote Andy.
Now Andy either your age is wrong or you started filing chains at 6 years old .
Right around that age when I first started. I've had an interest in saws and cutting wood most of my life. I spent many hours watching dad and older brother clear land and cut firewood, and was better than them at filing chain by about 10 or so. They'd cut I'd sharpen the chains. First new saw I bought myself was a 610 at HQ warehouse, I was 15 YO. Didn't know much about the better brands at the time.
Say what a 610 Mac? Well if you come right down to it as a firewooder it was just about as good as it got that long ago .
I don't know much ado about filing a chain .Some spend a kings ransome just to file the things.It's not rocket science just a learned method .
The old standby which I must admit is the old stamped steel Oregon file guide,still about 8-9 dollars .I seldom use them but on occasion it comes out .
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12054/saw_chain_001.jpg)
Quote from: Al_Smith on December 02, 2013, 07:13:07 AM
Say what a 610 Mac? Well if you come right down to it as a firewooder it was just about as good as it got that long ago .
I don't know much ado about filing a chain .Some spend a kings ransome just to file the things.It's not rocket science just a learned method .
The old standby which I must admit is the old stamped steel Oregon file guide,still about 8-9 dollars .I seldom use them but on occasion it comes out .
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12054/saw_chain_001.jpg)
I have always sharpened free hand, just a bare file. The eyes ain't what they used to be and I have to admit that I can't see a hair thin air gap between a file and tooth anymore. Last chain I sharpened free hand I thought I was doing beautimus until I went and got a set of reading glasses I use as magnifiers. Got to poke my nose within a few inches of whatever I am looking at for those things to focus then I saw that there were a handful of teeth that weren't sharpened all the way to the top. Not only didn't sharpen the chain but now I have cut a spot the file falls into lower than it should be.
My hearing has annoyed others for years, I've had a gimp in my giddy-up for decades, all minor annoyances but I sure miss my eyes!
I did buy one of the Oregon stamped steel guides. Found the blessed thing was bent when I got home and went to use it. Seven dollars worth of gas to return an eight dollar guide! I do tend to go a bit overboard about things so if I'm going to buy a set-up to sharpen, I want to be able to sharpen very well, not just good enough. It won't be too surprising if I build something for myself or vastly modify what I get once I have a basis to work from. Time sharpening isn't an issue for me, I can sharpen when I can't do other things so a manual set-up that does a better job than most grinders will suit me fine. Of course if I run into the right deal on the right grinder I'll score that. Got a coupon in the mail from harbor fright yesterday, their sharpener is on sale for thirty dollars. Not quite what I have in mind!
Hu
The Oregon guides used to be a tad more stout than they are today .I took that picture to show a young lady on another forum what it looked like .She was having a hard time keeping the angle right .
I'm with you on that eyesight thing .I about have to be in natural sunlight to do a good job with a file although my long range is still 20/20 .The close up stuff my arms are too short .Far sighted .I can almost count the hairs on a flys behind at 100 yards but if it were on my nose I couldn't tell it from an eagle .
Quote from: Al_Smith on December 02, 2013, 07:13:07 AM
Say what a 610 Mac? Well if you come right down to it as a firewooder it was just about as good as it got that long ago .
I don't know much ado about filing a chain .Some spend a kings ransome just to file the things.It's not rocket science just a learned method .
The old standby which I must admit is the old stamped steel Oregon file guide,still about 8-9 dollars .I seldom use them but on occasion it comes out .
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12054/saw_chain_001.jpg)
AL I use those guides most of the time now. That way you always get the proper hook, but you can change top plate angle as you please. Most down the Mac-610, but I cut more wood with that thing than any other saw I now have, and it never gave me any trouble. Wish I still had it, but I traded it for a Miller MIG welder, so I came out OK on that deal..
Hi Guys,
Just remember on a chisel chain the corner does the work. When its gone the chain stops cutting. Did you look at the ATOP?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN_rzTVkpss
Quote from: sharkey on December 03, 2013, 05:04:57 PM
Hi Guys,
Just remember on a chisel chain the corner does the work. When its gone the chain stops cutting. Did you look at the ATOP?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN_rzTVkpss
I did look at the ATOP. Same issue as some other things, I have a hard time parting with $200 for a guide fixture. Might be worth it but more than I want to pay, most particularly for something I haven't held in my hand, maybe used before.
Hu
:) Chain filing has as many opinions of how to do it as my favorite debate subject of mix oils and ratios there of .
I only use a variation of square filed for my version of a race chain and that doesn't happen that often. That's PNW soft wood stuff in my opinion .Maybe some of those Mich. pines .
I take the gullet( round chisel ) clear down to the tie strap so it will hold a larger chip before it rocks out and whatever angle it's factory ground at just use it .I can't see changing the angle every time the wood changes .Lawdy all you would get done is filing and no cutting .
Al,
I do a lot of fairly rough work, deadfalls, fencerows and what not. I also do a good bit of noodling to cut bowl and hollow vessel blanks from logs. I'm thinking I will run one chain and profile for all clean work and one chain and profile for the rough work. I think semi chisel is a given for the rough work. I want to run full chisel in the should be cleaner wood and I want to at least try square filing.
Taking my own thread off topic but have you got any thoughts about a chain and tooth profile for noodling only? Usually broadleaf trees but we have a very long growing season down here and I think that and the amount of rainfall tends to make our trees down here in Louisiana a bit softer than they might be in a place with shorter growing seasons and less rainfall. Assume all noodling will be in freshly felled log sections that were from healthy trees just as a working assumption when considering what chain profile and whether to run skip, semi skip, or full comp.
No longer a question of not Bailey's anyway, they were supposed to get more Granberg's in today.
Hu
I really don't change anything except as I said file the gullets deeper .
As far as semi chisel I suppose it might be best for dirty wood but I seldom use it .Most of it the last few years has been EAB killed ash which is hard as a rock .Just suck it up and file the chisel chain more often .You might run a tank full of fuel between filings and you might not .It doesn't do any good to try for two tanks all that does is over work the saw .
Quote from: beenthere on November 30, 2013, 02:38:38 PM
Hu
Are you interested in the older all metal filing guide? Like this one?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/100_1301.JPG)
The older Oregon branded chain sharpening tools [ grinders & the tool pictured] were manufactured in Italy by Tecomec
Quote from: beenthere on November 30, 2013, 05:33:01 PM
I see newer model is 23736a, and this one is older p/n 23736, made in Italy for the Oregon Saw Chain Division, Omark Industries.
No indication Craftsman had anything to do with it.
This is all metal, but for the adjusting screw knobs.
Your call.
There are some things about the Oregon I'm not comfortable with. I think I'm going to chase the older Granberg's. I did much appreciate your offer though and I just donated ten dollars to the forestryforum in your name just to say thanks for the offer.
Hu