Sharpener and Setter Choices
Sawyers consider their options in blade sharpening equipment. July 10, 2007
Question
I am upgrading my business and one of my first choices for helping improve efficiency was to get a sharpener and setter. My problem comes with reading literature on different brands (every company says their brand is the best) but I don't know which one is the best choice. To compare, what I am looking at is an automatic sharpener and double setter.
Forum Responses
(Sawing and Drying Forum)
From contributor R:
I've got a Dino grinder that I'm so-so happy with... It's just not built very heavy, and can be a little hard to set up if you change tooth profiles or blade manufacturers. I had a Dino setter, which I would not recommend under any circumstance. I replaced that with the dual setter from Suffolk Machinery, and have been extremely satisfied. I think they also make a quality grinder, which I plan to purchase when the Dino wears out.
From the original questioner:
I was considering the Suffolk machine sharpener and setter. Does the double setter do a good job setting the teeth equally on each side?
From contributor F:
I recently purchased a Dino automatic sharpener and setter. Goes through like a hot knife. Seemed to add 10-15 hours of life to my bands, so I'd say it's working for me. Suffolk didn't seem to want to come to Canada, but Western Woodlot is in Canada and they were great with support. Pretty steep learning curve. Probably better machines out there, but find them and at what price? Once set up, can do a 17ft. 7/8 pitch in maybe 10 minutes. I take my time and try to do it right.
From contributor R:
Each side is individually adjustable on the Suffolk setter. They provide a dial indicator setting gauge, so it's not too hard to get the machine dialed in. It gives a much more consistent set than the Dino machine I had.
From contributor V:
I don't have a setter yet, but a few weeks back, I called Suffolk, and they sent me two blades to check out, free, and along with it, they enclosed a DVD with their setter, sharpener and other equip! That setter looks really fast and really nice. After seeing the video, I see no other choice, but I haven't decided yet on the sharpener.
From contributor A:
I use a Wood-Mizer sharpener. It is the only model on the market that is water cooled. To me this is very important to keep the tips of the teeth cool when sharpening. All the other models can remove the temper from the tips when sharpened. A local sawyer has one of the Hudson sharpeners. He has yet to get it to operate properly. Cook's sells the best setter with the dual dial-indicators. I have their single model, from 5 years ago. It works well for me – slow, but it does the job. If I would ever replace it, I will buy the Cook's dual model. I personally believe that dial indicators are the best to know exactly what each tooth is, before and after the set. Wood-Mizer's sharpener eats the grinding wheel up, I think, too quickly. I will buy my new wheels from Cook's in the future. To me money is no object because this investment should last for many years to come. I bought used the Dino manual model in the beginning. It was a waste of my time. Took a long time to master the setup. Even after using it for years. Points to ponder.
From contributor T:
I too have a WM sharpener. I agree with the grinding wheel issue. You mentioned buying from Cook's their wheel. I talked to the Cook's people and they said their wheel is too big for a WM sharpener. Plus our machine doesn't operate at a high enough RPM. Do you have info Cook's doesn't?
From contributor A:
I have yet to call Cook's, but a while back someone else bought Cook's wheels and said they last almost forever. I still have a few wheels left. When I get down to the last one, I will make some calls. I can't understand why they would not work. So the grinder turns a little slower, that means the sharpening will be slower.
