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#Post#: 19513--------------------------------------------------
Oregon PowerSharp
By: HMLT360Pro Date: April 27, 2013, 6:22 am
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Hi. Anybody own or have used an Oregon PowerSharp? Thanks!
HMLT360Pro
#Post#: 19516--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: Chainsawrepair Date: April 27, 2013, 8:55 am
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I tested 2 of their chains. 1 on the powernow system and 1 I put
on the PP260.
HTML http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/chainsaws-not-listed/oregon-powernow-battery-powered-trim-chainsaw/msg5358/#msg5358
#Post#: 19545--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: HMLT360Pro Date: April 28, 2013, 11:20 am
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This seems like a good thing to have while wood cutting... The
video looked good... Every time when you tank-up sharpen with
it! I will have to try one out! Thanks!
#Post#: 24588--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: Philbert Date: October 4, 2013, 10:21 pm
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I have tried it on a number of saws: STIHL 021, Dolmar 45(?),
Makita UC4000 (electric), and Oregon 40V (battery). I tried it
side-by-side with a new STIHL chain on the 021, and with a
couple of other, new Oregon chains on the battery saw. Have
been using it for almost 3 years now on some saws, and cut
several cords of wood with it.
Bottom line: it works. It is actually a fairly aggressive
chisel chain, eventhough the bevel is on the top of the tooth.
It is currently available only in 3/8 low profile pitch, and you
have to buy the starter kit (bar, chain, stone, cassette) to
start out, so that scares some guys off. But I have seen these
kits on sale for as little as $35, and typically selling for
under $60.
After that, replacing the chain and the stone (comes as a kit)
is around $26 (assuming that a 'regular' chain costs you $20).
But compare that to the cost of paying someone to sharpen your
chain ($7 for one sharpening and you are 'even'). And, as
Oregon promotes, the time it takes to take the chain to the
dealer, wait, then go pick it up.
So, it you are someone who sharpens your own chains, or if you
are really fussy about how they are filed exactly, this system
is not for you. If you (or someone you know) is not really good
about filing their chain every couple of tanks, or 'just wants
to cut' firewood, storm clean up, etc. It is worth considering.
Philbert
#Post#: 47431--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: Philbert Date: October 3, 2014, 1:34 pm
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PowerSharp Bump (and Opportunity)
I like the PowerSharp system. I understand that it is not for
everybody, but I think that a lot of folks who would really
benefit from having it on their saws are not aware of it or
'don't get it'. That's a marketing issue for Oregon. Anyway, I
have been able to score several PowerSharp starter kits (guide
bar/sharpening cassette/chain/stone) and replacement chain/stone
kits on clearance for under $20 at several 'big box' retailers.
I have seen similar deals on eBay. In Minnesota, we call this 'a
heckuva deal'!
So, if you have been curious about PS, or know someone who would
benefit from a low maintenance cutting/sharpening solution, this
might be a good thing to look for (even to squirrel away for a
holiday gift). As some others have noted, even if you decide
after trying it that you prefer conventional chain, you still
get a guide bar in the deal!
I'm still waiting for the .325 version to come out . . .
Philbert
#Post#: 47440--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: aclarke Date: October 3, 2014, 5:01 pm
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Does this system sharpen from the outside of the cutter?
#Post#: 47443--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: Philbert Date: October 3, 2014, 6:21 pm
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[quote author=aclarke link=topic=1861.msg47440#msg47440
date=1412373673]Does this system sharpen from the outside of the
cutter?[/quote]
Special cutters. Sharpens the bevel off of the top. And the
top plate is angled, so there is no side bevel - only the top
and the corner. I have used it for several years now on a few
saws, and find that it is actually pretty aggressive chain, even
when compared side-by-side with similar (3/8, low profile, low
kickback) chains.
Philbert
Can't find the good illustrations right now, but if you skip
through some of the sales stuff in these videos, there is also
some detail information on how they work:
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HonJ4aMGBiA
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmrhJbEyvuY
#Post#: 47444--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: Chainsawrepair Date: October 3, 2014, 6:29 pm
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Adam I got some close pics of the chain somewhere. Still
digging.
HTML http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/cordless-battery-ope-corded-electric/oregon-powernow-battery-powered-trim-chainsaw/msg33343/#msg33343
Yep in above thread were pics. Sharpens from on top.
[img width=600
height=450]
HTML http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g289/doemaster789/Clinton268272xp/powernow014.jpg[/img]
[img width=600
height=450]
HTML http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g289/doemaster789/Clinton268272xp/powernow011.jpg[/img]
[img width=600
height=450]
HTML http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g289/doemaster789/Clinton268272xp/powernow002.jpg[/img]
[img width=600
height=450]
HTML http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g289/doemaster789/Clinton268272xp/powernow006.jpg[/img]
#Post#: 47456--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: aclarke Date: October 3, 2014, 8:31 pm
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Kevin, than you. Was trying to visualize standard chain getting
ground from the outside and didn't get it! That chain looks
quite interesting. Lots of futile attempt at "autosharp" over
the years, looks like Oregon got it right...
#Post#: 47458--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon PowerSharp
By: Philbert Date: October 3, 2014, 9:00 pm
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I had an earlier version in the late 80's - also known as
'barracuda chain'. It came built into a Sears electric saw. It
worked for a while. Then I learned about 'real chain' from the
local STIHL dealer, who could barely control his contempt for
the self-sharpening stuff.
Fast forward a bunch of years and Oregon released this updated
version - same concept (sharpen a bevel on the top of the top
plate), but totally different tooth shape/design. The 2 systems
are not compatible. I was skeptical, but open minded enough to
give it a try, and was impressed. Have cut more than 2 full
cords of mixed oak, maple, ash, and misc. wood with it.
Downsides include: you can only use the default angles (only a
problem if you want to customize); the chain is more expensive
to buy, compared to conventional chain; the odd cutter shape
makes it harder to break/spin using conventional tools and
anvils (only sold in loops - not by the roll) so repairs or
re-sizing is tricky; you have to start with a 'starter kit'
(guide bar, sharpening cassette, chain, stone).
Upsides include: it cuts really well; sharpening is really fast
(less than a minute, total, including mounting and removing the
sharpening cassette); no down time for swapping chains, setting
up a stump vise, walking back to your truck, etc.); the extra
cost is more than covered if you pay to have your chains
sharpened; etc.
If you intentionally drive the chain into concrete just 'to test
it' (very hard to resist!), it will not last as long as
conventional chain. If you treat it like conventional chain,
and try to keep it out of the dirt, away from stones, etc., it
will last as long.
So guys who are really fussy about hand filing their chains, and
driving manual transmissions, probably won't like it. Guys who
just want their saws to cut, and especially those who are not
satisfied with their own sharpening ability, or who pay others
to sharpen their chains, probably will like it.
I think that it is a good option to have. I especially like it
on my corded electric saw that I use mostly at home: it is my
'low maintenance combination'. It comes standard on the Oregon
40 volt battery saw, that has a built in sharpener for it (but
you can still run conventional chain if you want).
I really expected to see this offered on Craftsman saws, because
Sears is always into features. But Efco was the only company I
saw offering it as an OEM option (cheaper because you don't have
to buy the new guide bar).
Philbert
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