? 5 Best Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Review To Buy [2021]

Review By Taylor / December, 22, 2024

Whether you cut trees for livelihood or cut lumbers for pleasure, you know that a chainsaw sharpener is an indispensable tool. Long use of blades for cutting and extracting the bark of trees may affect the sharpness of the blades and render the machine redundant.

Electric chainsaw sharpeners have reduced the workload of professionals engaged in cutting down the trees. These machines are safe, easy, and fast for use, both for the novice and the experts. But constant use over routine drudgery can make the blades bland and prolong the work which can otherwise be finished in a few minutes.

So, have you purchased your chainsaw sharpener? There are a number of robust options available in the market which will enable you to use the machine consistently without any breakdown. Not only will you have a durable machine that sticks on for years but you will also save a lot of money. So, let us take a look at a few options in the market for electric chainsaw sharpeners.

Best Value For Money Electric Chainsaw Sharpener

Although there is a wide array of options available in the market for the buyers, experts recommend the timberline model. Timberline serves the workers who have to go to remote locations to work as a result of its small, light, and compact design. It is easy to carry when you have to travel a great distance.

It is an easy model and so people can sharpen the chainsaw cutters irrespective of their experience in handling such devices. The handles of Timberline turn quickly and sharpen your tools to perfection in a matter of minutes.

But there are various other electric chainsaw sharpeners too in the market that are equally competent. So, let’s have a look at some of the best with there top-notch specifications, and also the factors which you need to consider while purchasing.

Last update on 2022-01-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Oregon 520-120 Bench Chain Grinder (Winner)

Oregon-520-120-Bench-Chain-Grinder

Oregon 520-120 is one of the best electric sharpeners available today. The reason that it reigns on the list is that it is designed primarily by keeping in the mind the users having multiple chainsaws. It is a solid machine that enables quick and even grinding of the chains. 

The sharpener has simple adjustment knobs as well as an improved self-centering chain vise. The design of the machine is quite bulky and users would have to mount it on a working bench. Thus, those who have a lot of sharpening to do on their plate, this is your magic wand!

The model runs on a 0.4 horsepower motor, which is coupled with a 5-3/4” grinding wheel. The model offers a maximum speed of 3,400 rpm. Another advantage is that the machine is available with a warranty of three years.

PROS

  • Durable
  • Comes with a three-year warranty
  • Matches nearly all the chain sizes

CONS

  • The model is a bit expensive

Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener (Budget Pick)

Those who have a shoestring budget and do not indulge in chainsaw sharpening very often, then Buffalo Tools is a great option for them. It is touted as one of the easiest electric sharpeners available in the market. 

You just need to spend a chickenfeed sum on it and you make a decent short-term investment. The lesser price of the model is mostly because of its plastic stops and exterior. Different users have addressed plasticity differently. Some experience easy breakdown of the plastic stops and others recollected that careful use will not break its plastic stops. 

When you clamp it to any work table, wall, or stable flat surface, the sharpeners can be powered on a 120-volt wall outlet and then used to separately sharpen each blade. The 60 Hz, 85-watt ECSS model has a 4200 RPM grinding speed. It uses a 4-1/4 Inch x 1/8-Inch grinding wheel with a 7/8-inch arbor. Since it has a ⅛” disk width, it is not tailored to using different sized chain blades.

PROS

  • A model is an affordable option
  • It can work with any chain design

CONS

  • The machine is a little slow

Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener (Best For Regular Work)

As the name suggests, the chainsaw grinder is the best choice for those who have regular work of felling trees or performing the on-site job. This may not be a perfect option for garage or in-house grinding errands. The machine is very handy by the dent of its weight (1.2 pounds) and also comes with a soft travel case.

Thus, it makes a wonderful choice for those who have to carry it over a distance from their home. The sharpener is available in different sizes and is made of machined aluminum, ensuring a great combination of durability and portability. The model comes with a lifetime warranty. These great features, of course, come at a hefty price. 

It gets easily retrofitted on the chainsaw bar with the chain on and therefore, is user-friendly for professionals. However, new users may take a little time to adjust to the drill of the machine.

The users have registered that during the sharpening process, the carbide sharpening cutter only scraps off a small shaving of the tooth material. Thus, it ensures the longevity of the life of the chain as well as of the carbide cutter.

PROS

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Light in weight
  • Sharp teeth

CONS

  • It is a little expensive


Oregon 30846 12-Volt Sure Sharp Chain Saw Sharpener

This Oregon 30846 12-Volt Sure Sharp Chain Saw Sharpener is a convenient option for its impressive sharpening power that runs on a 12-volt battery. With amazing sharpening power, the model can easily grind a worn chain. 

The model comes with another great feature. The chainsaw sharpener comes with three different sharpening stones: 3/16-inch, 5/32 inch, and 7/32 inch. This enables you to have a hassle-free and quick sharpening job.

The Oregon Chainsaw Sharpeners are packed with sharpening guides for assisting the users in pulling off ground cutters.

PROS

  • The machine is quite economical
  • It is convenient to use
  • Has three different sharpening stones

CONS

  • Users may take some time to get used to the machine

STIHL 2 In 1 Easy File Chainsaw Chain Sharpener (Best Multipurpose Sharpener)

Users who don’t want to haul a big chainsaw machine while going for work and those who don’t want the model to eat a large chunk of the space at home can rely on this manual sharpener. 

Stihl 2 in 1 is known for grinding the chains to a bare minimum. Thus, it is the favorite of those who are tasked with chainsaw sharpening once in a while. Its small size makes it handy for those who have to carry it to the field every day. The vice of the Stihl keeps the chainsaw in place and makes it easy and safe to use. 

You must be wondering that, why is it called 2 in 1? The reason is that it allows the sharpening of chain teeth and reduction of depth gauge in a single motion. Users have commented that the sharpener was fast and easy to use, making it helpful for both the new users and professionals.

The model comes with a filing guide to making exact and even teeth of the chain. Since it is a manual sharpener, you can fit only selected chain sizes and styles. Though you can fit 1/4’’, 3/8’’, and 0.325’’ chains, whenever in doubt, call Stihl’s customer service to make it done for you.

PROS

  • It is not expensive
  • Does not take large space
  • Easy to use

CONS

  • It does not fit all chain sizes
  • Manual is slow for sharpening multiple chains

Editor Note

When you have perused the features of few best electric chainsaw sharpeners, you can understand what will make an apt choice for your work. Whether you work in your own field or you go to woods to fell logs, you cannot dispense with a chainsaw machine. 

All of the above models make more than a suitable choice for you irrespective of your experience. 

Buying Guide and Checklist

Why you Need a Best Chainsaw Sharpener

Chainsaws are a very potent tool for cutting woods or lumber. If you use a chainsaw as a part of your job or even at home to work up small furniture, you very well know about the utility of the tool. But frequent use of chainsaw turns the blade dull and gives rise to a number of issues. 

Firstly, a dull blade will not be able to cut the wood easily and up the ante of blade binding and may also kickback. Secondly, a sharp blade enables you to cut even large logs of wood quickly and increase your efficiency.

Lastly, if you sharpen your blade frequently, you reduce the wear down of the blades to a great extent. In other words, if you rein in the deterioration of the blades, you will save a lot of time and money and will also augment your productivity.

Instead of throwing away the tool, you can use an electric chainsaw cutter to prune the blades as and when required and get rid of sluggish output.

How Do You Sharpen A Chainsaw

Sharpening saw chains is not an uphill task. Most of the people throw away their chainsaw when the blades become bland and treat it as trash and go into buying a new one. This mistake will cost a lot more money and time than just simply sharpening the blades.  

To begin with, you must have a thick pair of gloves to protect your hands during the process of sharpening. Next, mount the chain on the brake so that it stays stable while you work and clip the bar nose securely so that you can make use of both the hands and easily use the machine.

The next step depends on the type of kit you have. If you have a manual kit, then keep the guide down the rivets of the chain. It should be placed in a way that the arrows of the guide point downwards to the nose of the bar. Now, grab the file from the kit and fix it at the angle instructed in the guide and you need a few strokes to sharpen that metal before you take on the next cutter. 

If you are using a bench sharpener, you will have to fit the chainsaw below the device and then turn the motor on. After you have filed the cutter sufficiently, you can turn the motor off and adjust the chain and place the device again. You will repeat the process until you have sharpened all the blades of the cutter. 

If you are using a handheld electric sharpener, take the help from the guide and set up the right angle on the cutters. Since you hold it by your hands, it would be a little difficult to keep the angle consistent. Once you have sharpened the blade, you will have to place your tool back, dismount the chain brake, move it forward and start the process again. Once you have completed both the sides of the chainsaw, you have completely prepared it. 

Next, you need to find a depth gauge that is available in the kit. You can use it to adjust the height of the cutters. Hold the depth gauge up to your cutters to make sure they are at the correct height. If the cutter hovers above the gauge, use the tool to file it back to a proper height. Cutters that are too high won’t be able to reach the wood and you’ll have an inefficient tool.

Dos and Don’ts

1. Study your Chainsaw

You need to familiarize yourself with the components of the chainsaw before you can use it to sharpen the blades. Study the guide given with the tool and diagrams given in the manual so that you get the basic hang of the machine.

In addition to links and straps, there is a number of cutters that are the focus of the sharpening process. Each cutter has two sharp areas, one on the edge of the top plate and the other on an outside plate. The middle of the cutter is known as a “gullet”

2. Stabilize your Chainsaw

You should hold the chainsaw steady on a mounted vice so that you can sharpen the blades without any hindrance. 

3. Use the Correct Diameter

Chainsaw sharpens the cutters using a round file. The ideal diameter of these files used for this purpose range from 4mm to 6mm. Check your guide in the kit and know about the standard diameter needed.

4. File in One Direction

Chainsaws have right and left cutters. In order to get the sharpest blades, you should start with the inside edge of the cutter and then move onto the outside edge.

5. Don’t Wait for the Dust

It was often said that the ideal time to sharpen the blades is when it produces more wood dust than wood chips while working.

If you do a routine sharpening of the blades, then every second or third time, you do it, it will scale down the need of effort and time in sharpening and you will get rid of dull blades forever.

6. Don’t forget to Wear Protective Gear

Sharpening of blades is a risky job as you work with cutters and therefore run the risk of scratching or cutting bare skin. Make sure you wear work gloves before you start.

7. Don’t Leave your File Behind

Timber cutting is done in the woods which are remotely located. So, remember to bring your sharpening tools with you.

8. Don’t Forget the Depth Gauge

Do measure the height of your blades with the depth gauge after you have sharpened them. If the cutters are above the gauge, they cab block the cutters and make the tool ineffective.

Benefits of Using a Chainsaw Sharpener

1. Convenience

When you use a chainsaw sharpener yourself, you do away with the need of running to repair shop and fix the blades. Electric chainsaw sharpeners have simplified the process of sharpening the blades and you can conveniently use to work on the lumber. 

2. Save Time

The moment your blades have sharpened, you will see that cutting through wood happens in just a few minutes. Not only these chainsaw sharpeners save time in sharpening the blades at great speed, but they also reduce your time wasted at the workplace with the use of bland cutters. 

3. Save Money

With a sharp blade, you put in less effort to complete your job. These chainsaw sharpeners will save you fuel and chain oil needed for increased cutting efficiency.

4. Safer Cutting

With dull chains, you will be prone to accidents more than ever. While trying to force the blade down a log of wood may lead to unforeseen injuries. Whereas, a sharp blade will cut the wood flawlessly without inviting any perils.

Important Features for Buying Decision

1. Portable or Mounted

If you travel from one workplace to another for working on lumbers, then portable manual sharpeners can prove very handy. However, manual sharpeners need much effort to grind the chainsaw. On the other hand, mounted or benchtop sharpeners are very powerful as they operate on the electric motor and thus less effort goes in during the sharpening process. 

2. Settings

Often, people tend to ignore the settings offered by the chainsaw sharpeners. However, the top-class sharpeners come with preset settings and templates so that you can efficiently sharpen your chainsaw blades.

3. Attachments

Attachments accrued with these machines play a very important role in effectuating easy sharpening of blades. Chainsaw sharpeners that come with more than one-wheel size enable sharpening blades of different sizes and also get the best possible sharpness.

4. Setup and Assembly

It is better to select those options which come with a setup guide so that beginners can easily mount the chain in various areas.  Once you arrange the set-up, sharpening will happen seamlessly on a stable surface. 

5. Price

This is probably the last thing you would look for. If you are a beginner or you don’t use chainsaw very frequently, a budget option should not be ruled out from perspective.

Conclusion

Sharpening chainsaws have been reduced to an easy job as a result of these machines and their guides. You can take a glance at the essential features before buying one for yourself.

All the important nuances related to chainsaw sharpeners have been explained above so that you make a wise decision. Once you get best electric chainsaw sharpener, follow the above dos and don’ts to make blade sharpening a cakewalk.