I've been waffling around unsuccessfully for years, finally broke down and bought it. Some learning curve, and slow. But, went from sawdust to long curls on the first try. GREAT PRODUCT!
Sharpening chain- finally found my answer- Granberg file-n-joint
- Thread starter Easy Livin’ 3000
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Nice when you get 'em right. Stihl 2 in 1 easy file for me these days.
redktmrider
Burning Hunk
I just bought one myself, made sharpening easy. I have yet to try out the chain I sharpened, so we will see if it works well.
jetsam
Minister of Fire
The Granberg has a bit of a learning curve to get right, but it does a great job once you figure it out.
I compromise on the speed by hand sharpening a couple times, then fixing my mistakes with the Granberg.
I compromise on the speed by hand sharpening a couple times, then fixing my mistakes with the Granberg.
Catfish Hunter
Burning Hunk
I think the file n joint is awesome. I used the one page instructions and had it rocking in no time. I sharpened a chain that I had touched up by hand probably 10 times and i couldn't believe how well the granberg did. The one issue is the sliding shaft and bushings so I am going to "upgrade" the bushings and maybe swap out the shaft to reduce binding and friction. I will post an update when done.
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Have a close look at the chain after you have it sharp with the file an joint.Notice the angles on the cutting edges and how deep the gullet is.Then try to duplicate it by hand.
Sharpening chain to cut wood is fairly simple once you know where the cutting edges are and how the tooth should look.Once you get the hang of it hand filing,it is way faster than using any sharpening tools other than the dremel type.
And don't forget the rakers i don't think the file and joint addresses them
jetsam
Minister of Fire
It does but you have to reconfigure the jig and go all the way around the chain again. That's one reason it's so slow!
It's also easy to get wrong until you figure out some of the personality features of the jig (file cut depth is the same way).
One tip off the top of my head: when doing rakers, if you're using a triangular file as suggested in the manual, note that triangular files taper in depth across the whole length of the file, and the Granberg does not account for this. I put the biggest end of the file on top of the tooth, set the cut depth to .025, and just file with the very end of the file. (You can do this at any point on the file if you use the part you set the cut depth to).
I almost bought one years ago, as they've always been well respected. I passed because of how they look a little fussy and tedious on setup, etc..
I can't tell you how nice the Stihl (Pferd) 2 in 1 file is for my needs, and hits the rakers all at the same time. I've never used anything better, and it's fast.
I can't tell you how nice the Stihl (Pferd) 2 in 1 file is for my needs, and hits the rakers all at the same time. I've never used anything better, and it's fast.
WoodyIsGoody
Minister of Fire
Jazzberry
Minister of Fire
I bought one based on everyones reviews. Tried it one time and went back to my Dremel with a diamond bit. For me its an easy choice for the Dremel with a good diamond bit.
I eagerly await your post! I love it when creative, ambitious types like yourself make incremental improvements on already good products. Maybe you can sell an aftermarket kit once you figure it out...
Catfish Hunter
Burning Hunk
Just touched up the stihl RS with the granberg and man is that impressively sharp! Love this little tool!
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I got some diamond bits last year for my dremel-tool, but was doubtful that I could get the angles right. I'll eventually figure out how to set it up so I can keep the angles consistent. I was not even close with the freehand filing. I do believe that will be a better, faster setup compared to the file-n-joint, but I might as well do it in the dark with how well I do it freehand!
redktmrider
Burning Hunk
Today I used one of my chains I sharpened with the Grandberg, it was a Stihl semi-chisel. I have never had a chain come back from a dealer sharpening cut as well as this did. Its a great investment in my opinion!
Catfish Hunter
Burning Hunk
WoodyIsGoody
Minister of Fire
I'm a big believer in the cutting edge left by a sliding file. I've noticed that even a brand new chain benefits from a couple light swipes per tooth. I would be more interested in the Granberg if it wasn't such a contraption or hand filing didn't work so well without all the setup.
I did recently get a Stihl 2-1. I like the built in handles that make it easy to maintain the 30 degree filing angle. It's extra confirmation that you're filing at the proper angle. I also like the way the two square guide bars run on top of adjacent teeth to maintain proper filing depth. But the "two in one" feature (filing depth rakers simultaneously with the cutting teeth) is not going to work for me because it's not possible to adjust the depth of the depth rakers. Since 90% of my wood is softwood, I run a deeper cutting depth on the majority of my chains and the 2 in 1 feature can't accommodate those. Unless there are depth adjustment shims not mentioned in the user instructions.
I do like the other features of the 2-1 so I'll just manually file the rakers as I've been doing for years. I only need to file the rakers about one time for every 4-8 sharpenings anyway. Additionally, I was always concerned that the extra friction of filing the depth rakers simultaneously would make it more difficult to get a good edge on the cutters. Maybe I'll try it on one of my chains for hardwood that run the standard cutting depth.
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