http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-chain-saw-sharpener-68221-8346.html

add some washers and it's supposedly a decent machine, especially for the money (add a 20% off coupon and it's a throwaway price).
There are videos all over on how to make this machine as good as the Oregon for about 1/3rd the cost.

 

I've never had much luck with machines for sharpening. They're ok but I get much better results by hand.

 

I use a dremel tool with the chain saw sharpening bit. Works great, takes less than five minutes. You still need to keep the files around.

 

I have the 12V Oregon dremel tool sharpener. Works OK but I still keep the files around.

I like the idea of the HF one, I'll need to look at it next time I'm there.

 

A lot of pro's use the Oregon 511AX grinder. Here is a link to several that Bailey's sells:

http://www.baileysonline.com/shop.axd/Search?keywords=Chain+Grinders&page_no=1

 

Used to sharpen by hand, then used the Dremel stones, now use a cheap dedicated "orange" colored machine sharpener. I would never go back to sharpening any other way, you won't regret it.

 

My wife's grandfather usually just buys a new saw. I only wish that was a joke he had a yard sale a few weeks ago and 5 chain saws he sold.

 

Make no mistake, I'm not getting rid of my hand files.

But, I've been fortunate enough for the past two or three years to benefit from a deal where a contractor buddy of mine was able to purchase the chains for my small Stihl for less than $6 per chain. So I've been buying in lots of ten and just swapping them out when they get real dull. I've used the files a time or two during this period, but now I have over 40 chains piled up just for that one saw as an example. A bit extravagant, but now I probably have enough chains to last the greater part of my lifetime.

I could do them a few at a time with the files, but honestly I just don't have a lot of time to devote to them right now. Plus, the friends who want me to sharpen their chains were benefiting from the same deal I was, so we are potentially talking about a couple of hundred chains that could benefit from a machine.

I certainly appreciate the input.

 

Have an Oregon hand held that works fine. Have used the Dremel also. You get stone grindings down in the chain so I extra oil before sharpening. That way soon as it fires up the oil washes out the grit.

 

I have a Harbor Freight and have good service from it.

 

Since you've got the chains off, the Harbor Freight sharpener works pretty good, but it and any other device that uses stones/discs to sharpen will wear out over time. If you've already got 40 chains laying around...... I'd get an extra set of discs when you buy the machine.

The dremel tool kit is awesome for when the chain is on the bar.

 

If they have one at the Raleigh store today, I will pick it up.....