Chainsaw Repair

This is the first I have seen one.

Appears to be some reversion back to the 511A. Maybe the best of the 511AX and the 511A? Plus a little lipstick? And a price increase?

I'm perfectly happy with my 511A. But if I needed a new grinder the 520-120 might be it?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641887_200641887?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Logging-_-Chain%20Saw%20Chain%20Sharpeners%20%2B%20Maintenance-_-47084&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=47084&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=47084&gclid=CLzbjamAzMQCFZGIaQod0nsA0Q

Quote from: 660magnum on March 28, 2015, 05:25:34 pm

This is the first I have seen one.

Appears to be some reversion back to the 511A. Maybe the best of the 511AX and the 511A? Plus a little lipstick? And a price increase?

I'm perfectly happy with my 511A. But if I needed a new grinder the 520-120 might be it?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641887_200641887?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Logging-_-Chain%20Saw%20Chain%20Sharpeners%20%2B%20Maintenance-_-47084&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=47084&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=47084&gclid=CLzbjamAzMQCFZGIaQod0nsA0Q

That is how I found out about it, thumbing through a NT catalog yesterday. They say they improved the vise. I sent an email to Oregon 
today asking the difference between the 520 and a 511ax like I have.

This is the response

Technical Services and Sales
12:51 PM (5 hours ago)

to me
Hi Brad,
 
Thank you for your interest in the Oregon grinders,
 
The difference between the two is the vise, we have experienced some issues with the 511AX vise breaking so they changed the design, it will still have two pinch points but will look similar to the old 511A vise, using a cam lock design to open and close. This vise is designed to hold ¼, .325, 3/8 low profile, 3/8 standard and .404 chains. If you are sharpening ¾ pitch you will need vise # 571887
 
regards
 
Alison Heynderickx
Lead, Technical Support
Customer Service Representative
P: 503.653.4706
     800.223.5168
F: 503.353.6423
E: Alison.heynderickx@blount.com

Tried the Oregon 310 grinder side-by-side with a  similar looking mini-grinder, and a full sized 511A grinder, sharpening a bunch of .325 pitch, 67 drive link STIHL chains.  Obviously, the smaller grinders could not compete with the 511A in terms of power or speed.  The fixed head tilt angle also made it hard to match the existing angles on the chains, so I had to take off a little more metal - not an issue if someone only uses these grinders.

Light duty.  Simple to set up, easy to use, quiet (like a sewing machine motor), takes up very little space.  Could be OK for light touch ups on smaller gauge chains. Or by someone who sharpens infrequently, has a light touch, and a little patience.

Advantages of the Oregon 310 (right) over my 'Infinity' brand 'HF-style' grinder (left):
- cast aluminum base, instead of plastic;
- larger, more effective chain holding dog on the vise;
- accessible motor brushes;
- came with additional 3/16" grinding wheel, dressing brick, wheel template, extra motor brushes;
- better (but not perfect) owner's manual;
- Oregon support (if needed).

All things equal, I would choose the Oregon over the generic grinder, if I was picking a mini-grinder. But the generic HF grinders are often available for about half the price. Some of this difference can be attributed to the advantages noted. Maybe some of this difference will dampen out as more vendors and discounters start carrying the 310?

Will continue to play with these, and maybe try them for portable use,etc.

Philbert

What was the price comparisons between them?

The generic HF-type was under $40 shipped off eBay.
The Oregon was $85 ('sale' price from $90) from Northern Tool.

Philbert

I like  coarse with light touch.  My wheels from Madsen's I got for USG are super coarse