Review: Best Chain Saw Sharpeners
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Oregon 541662 PowerSharp Bar-Mount Chainsaw Chain Sharpener -
Chicago Electric Power Tools Electric Chain Saw Sharpener -
Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener -
Dremel 1453 Attachment Chain Saw Sharpener -
Oregon 30846 12-Volt Sure Sharp Chain Saw Sharpener -
Buyer's Guide
Traditionally, sharpening a chainsaw is long and tedious. It involves using a sharpening file and moving from tooth to tooth. It’s a great skill to have because it makes your chainsaw razor sharp, but only those with years of experience are able to have the patience to pull off such a task. If you’re not an expert technician at sharpening by hand, you could potentially ruin your saw. To successfully sharpen your chainsaw, you need to get the pitch and depth right on every single tooth. If you don’t do this, it makes your saw unsafe to use because it could possibly pull to the left or right during use, may become dull far too quickly or even not cut at all. Thankfully, there are a wealth of more modernized devices that help everyone get that razor sharp chain sharpening without the expert skill that comes from using a file. These devices save you tons of time, and most importantly, money (unless you don't mind paying someone to do it for you). First off, every chainsaw sharpener I have included below are not manual in some way, shape or form (whether you plug it in, use a battery, or otherwise). This is to ensure that every chain you sharpen gets done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Furthermore, price is a big issue when it comes to buying chainsaw sharpeners. There are models out there can be bought for upwards of $500. For fewer than $50, you can get a very long lasting, top quality best chain saw sharpeners in 2022 that doesn't break the bank. So, for the sake of this list, every sharpener can be bought for fewer than $50.
What is the best chain saw sharpener of 2022?
Oregon 541662 PowerSharp Bar-Mount Chainsaw Chain Sharpener - Best Chain Saw Sharpener Overall
The Oregon 541223 PowerSharp Starter Kit For 18-Inch Craftsman, Homelite, Poulan, And Poulan Pro Chain Saws is the top chainsaw sharpener because it works super quick, sharpening chains in as little as three seconds. This makes it convenient to use because of the extremely little amount of time it takes to use (making it perfect for professionals). Furthermore, it comes with everything you need to sharpen perfectly: a chain, bar mount sharpener, sharpening stone and a guide bar. I also like this sharpener because the only power you need to make it work is the power of the actual chainsaw itself. You just mount the sharpener to the end of the blade, turn the chainsaw on and press the treaded foot against a hard surface. The spinning action of the chainsaw sharpens it for you! Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty. You cannot get better.
Chicago Electric Power Tools Electric Chain Saw Sharpener - Runner Up
The Chicago Electric Power Tools Electric Chain Saw Sharpener (a Harbor Freight brand) is one of the top sharpeners because it’s easy to use thanks to its ability to be mounted on a bench, wall or vise. This makes it a lot safer to use because it increases the sharpener’s stability. It also has a side safety guard, which contributes to how safe the tool is to use as well. Furthermore, this sharpener has a 4200 RPM grinding speed, which means it can sharpen your chainsaw quite quickly. Finally, it comes with a 90 day warranty. It’s not the longest, but some warranty is better than no warranty.
Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener - Honorable Mention
The Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener is another great sharpener to consider because like the Chicago Electric Power Tools sharpener before it, it can be mounted upon a bench, wall or vise. Furthermore, this sharpener is very versatile because it can be adjusted to fit most chain designs. This makes it a great tool to buy if you’re a professional that might work with a variety if different chains. Also like the Chicago Electric sharpener, it has a speed of 4200 RPM, which is good for reasons I explained above. I also love how convenient this is to use because it can be plugged into a standard 120 volt outlet. It even comes with a warranty.
Dremel 1453 Attachment Chain Saw Sharpener - Consider
The Dremel 1453 Chain Saw Sharpening Attachment is one of my favorite chainsaw sharpeners I have come across because for one, it’s convenient! Odds are if you use tools on a frequent basis, you have a Dremel. It’s also highly convenient because it comes with three sharpening stones. This increases the amount of chains you’ll be able to work on. Dremels are also rechargeable, which means they operate on a battery. This means that you can use the sharpener while on the field in the middle of a job. Plus, this sharpener is way easy to use because it’s handheld and weighs only three ounces. That makes this sharpener great for anyone.
Oregon 30846 12-Volt Sure Sharp Chain Saw Sharpener - Best Chain Saw Sharpener
The Oregon 30846 12-Volt Sure Sharp Chain Saw Sharpener is the final chainsaw sharpener on this list because like the Dremel attachment sharpener, it operates via a battery (in this case 12 volt), which means you can use it on the field, in the middle of a job. Furthermore, I love the fact that this sharpener comes with a quick adjusting sharpening guide. This gives you the ability to get uniformly ground cutters, which saves you money in the long run. It also come with two sharpening stones, which like I mentioned above, increases the number of chains you can sharpen.
Buyer's Guide
We’ll give you two options right here. Do you want to buy a new chain saw every time its teeth start to lose their strength? Or would you like to invest in a chain saw sharpener? If you’re reading your cards correctly, you should go for a chain saw sharpener. The advantages of buying one are endless. Unfortunately, so are the factors that you need to keep in mind before purchasing one. But you don't have to fear for a thing because our helpful buying guide will assist you in making the right purchase. So make sure you read till the end. Because by the time you’re done reading this guide, you will know everything there is about chain saw sharpeners.
What To Look Out For
When it comes to factors that you need to look out for, the list is endless. But we’ll narrow it down to the most important factors that a buyer needs to know before they settle on a chain saw sharpener.
Chain Saw
We’re getting straight down to business here. Take a look at your chain saw first. Is it manual? Or perhaps it is electrical? This is the most important factor that you need to consider. Why is that so?
Well, chain saw sharpeners typically have a range of power. While electrical chain saw sharpeners are heavy-duty, they’ll cost more. Whereas manual chain saw sharpeners will leave you with a happy bank balance, the same cannot be said for your chain saw. So what do you compromise here? Quality or Cost?
Types of Chainsaw Sharpeners
When it comes to the types of chainsaw sharpeners buyers often look baffled. To ease your troubles, let’s talk a little about the types of chainsaw sharpeners you can find in the market.
First, you have the traditional handheld chainsaw sharpener. This is the most basic one you’ll find out there and also the most common. If you haven’t guessed already then this one’s manual. While it goes light on your wallet, you’ll need some effort to sharpen the teeth to perfection. But be careful, make sure you angle it correctly otherwise you can hurt the chainsaw. Not that it would feel a thing but it’d hurt your heart to throw the damaged one in the trash.
Second, you have bar-mounted chainsaw sharpeners. For this one you’ll need a steady table otherwise you won’t be able to sharpen the chainsaw effectively. People rely on bar-mounted chainsaw sharpeners for precision and accuracy, but it asks you to remove the chain from the chainsaw. Are you willing to make that much effort? If not then the next one would suit you best.
Third, we have electric chainsaw sharpeners. They’re fast, effective, and grant commendable accuracy. Most professionals rely on these to sharpen their chainsaws. If you don’t want to tire yourself every time your chainsaw needs a little downtime then think no more. Even though electric chainsaw sharpeners are simple and easy to use, this convenience comes at a price tag that may not be affordable by everyone out there.
Your Use
The next most important factor that needs to be taken into consideration is your use. Why do you use a chainsaw in the first place? Is cutting trees and wood your hobby? Or are you frequently cutting up logs for firewood? Perhaps your job involves the use of a chain saw?
Whatever the circumstance is, it will decide the type of chain saw sharpener you will purchase. If you use a chain saw every other day, investing in an electrical chain saw sharpener should be your go-to option. Because electrical chainsaw sharpeners are fast, almost like Flash. But if you’re using your chain saw once in a blue moon then we don’t recommend you to go all out to buy a heavy-duty chain saw sharpener. You’ll rarely need to sharpen your chain saw so even a basic one would be work fine.
Size Of The Chain
Chainsaws come in different sizes. From small ones to gigantic chainsaws that people purchase if zombies decide to invade their hometown someday. Jokes apart, the chainsaw’s size will determine the chain saw sharpener. Ideally, you should select the chainsaw sharpener that can support your chain size. Don’t worry, if the measurements confuse you then just ask the seller about it. Let them know about your chain saw and they’ll recommend the ideal chainsaw sharpener for you.
How Much Do They Cost?
Well, there is no set price range that we can put in front of you. But we can determine a ballpark figure in which you can find a decent chainsaw sharpener.
In the market, you can easily find luxury chainsaw sharpeners that can cost anywhere from $150 to $500 but if you want to look at cheaper options we suggest buying one that’s in the range of $15 to $50. Just remember that the higher the price, the more convenient it will be to sharpen your chainsaw. But we’re positive about our price range.
If you go too low, the chainsaw sharpener might not sharpen your chainsaw that well. What’s worse is that it could spoil your chainsaw’s efficiency permanently. So is it worth risking your saw with a low-quality sharpener? We will leave that up to you.
Chainsaw Sharpeners FAQs
Q. How do I know my chainsaw needs to be sharpened?
Ans. By the looks of your chainsaw, you can easily tell whether it's time to sharpen or not. If you can’t tell from the appearance, then observe its performance. If it’s finding a hard time cutting through stuff then you have your answer.
Q. Are electric chainsaw sharpeners worth it?
Ans. The short answer is yes, they are worth it. Especially for professionals, since they need to sharpen their chainsaws frequently.
Q. What happens if I don’t sharpen my chainsaw?
Ans. If your chainsaw is left unsharpened, then it will produce ineffective results. It’ll take more effort to cut through anything and you may damage the chainsaw as well. If it gets worse you may need to contact a professional to fix your chainsaw. And that may cost more than a chainsaw sharpener.
