Madsen's Shop & Supply Inc.

Silvey Pro Sharp Square-Chisel Chain Grinder

The Pro Sharp Features: Patented design automatically adjusts for wheel wear Single carriage design eliminates switching when changing sides Patented adjustment mechanism for inner angle control Dual patented "faultless" chain stop pawls and multi-axis support for perfect indexing Lengthened feed-slide for smooth operation Patented angle adjustment for precision accuracy between left and right cutters Adjustable diamond tip dressers and slide adjustments for maximum control of wheel shape Special wedge designed into the carriage keeps the corner of the tooth in line with the grinding wheel  Standard socket flex-mounted work light Collapsible three-leg mounting stand included

Pro Sharp History

In the eighties, the Silvey  SDM-4 ruled the world of square-chisel sharpening.  Its patented design made it the choice of square-chisel users everywhere. In the late nineties, the Pro Sharp grinder evolved as a "clean sheet" upgrade to the #SDM-4. Its designers borrowed freely from the older  SDM-4 design, but every concept was reevaluated and refined. In the end, the Pro Sharp emerged with many proven features, but as a new and different square-chisel grinder. Even a casual glance reveals two visibly different machines.

Overview

The Pro Sharp offers a level of grinding precision never before available. Its revolutionary design eliminates common problems normally associated with grinding square-chisel chain. The Pro-Sharp is adjustable to give you the angles you want with absolute ease of operation. No other grinder consistently produces precision ground cutter teeth as easy as a Pro Sharp. 

The Pro Sharp is similar to the Silvey SDM-4 in many ways. Features, such as the chain indexing mechanism, the feed slide, and even the dresser assemblies are "improved" versions of what is found on the #SDM-4.  But there are many new features, too. One of the biggest is in the way the Pro Sharp compensates for grinding wheel wear. On the SDM-4, it is necessary to periodically reposition the head to compensate for the reduction in the diameter of the grinding wheel. Every grinding wheel shrinks as it is used, but on the Pro Sharp, this smaller wheel yields very similar grinding angles to those of a new wheel. This increases the grinder's overall accuracy and removes the need for periodic adjustments.

Another advantage the Pro Sharp offers is the ability of the operator to make easy adjustments to the way the grinder shapes a cutter tooth's inner-angle. On an SDM-4, it is necessary to remachine the base angle to change the way it grinds this inner-angle. On a Pro Sharp, simply loosen two bolts, reposition the carriage, and retighten. In a couple minutes, the job is done. Better yet, if the operator wants to restore the original setting, it is just as easy. This adjustment is calibrated, so it is easy to return or keep track of angle changes. These calibrations also correlate to wheel dressing angle indicators that guide the operator. This gives operators the confidence to try different angles with the knowledge an adjustment can be easily reversed. 

The patented faultless chain stops are another great feature not found on the SDM-4. These ingenious chain stops index to the back of the tooth. This works much better and is more accurate, especially on today's chain designs. 

The Pro Sharp's carriage is similar in design to the SDM-4, but has been improved. It is longer for smooth operation and has a built in wedge that slightly raises the carriage as it advances. This helps keep the corner of the grinding wheel aligned with the corner of a cutter's tooth. This wedge angle is similar to the relief angle formed in most cutter teeth - a neat and insightful improvement. 

One of the most obvious differences between the Pro Sharp and the SDM-4 is that it has just one carriage. A benefit of the single carriage design is that the length of both left and right cutters is set by the same depth stop. No outside measuring is necessary to sharpen all cutter teeth to the same length. 

Even the grinder stand was improved for better stability and portability.  The one-piece  SDM-4 stand was replaced with a collapsible three-leg version. This stand is easy to dismantle. More important, when working in remote locations, the components of this stand are small enough to fit in the cargo area of a float plane. 

With all these good features, an overview wouldn't be complete (or honest) without some mention of shortcomings. Every machine has them. One advantage the SDM-4 has is its ability accommodate both .404" and 3/8" pitch saw chain with minimal setup change. Some argue this is not really an advantage, because the Pro Sharp ultimately does a better job. Whatever camp you are in, the fact remains -- the  Pro Sharp requires more setup when switching chain sizes. This is not a big deal if you run the same chain on all your saws. But if you are grinding for a crew, or considering the Pro Sharp for use as a production grinder in a saw shop, this is something to think about.

Some Pro Sharp owners get around this problem by keeping a second square-chisel grinder around for sharpening chain sizes their Pro Sharp is not set up for. An example: Say you are a pro saw user who runs 3/8" chain most of the time, but occasionally use a big saw with a long bar fitted with .404" chain. You use the Pro Sharp most of the time to sharpen your 3/8", but you use the old machine to sharpen your .404". It is always nice to have a back-up grinder anyway. It's also good to have a second machine when a someone wants to "use" your grinder. When you have a second machine, they won't be ruining the setup you have on your Pro Sharp.

Our Advice

The Pro Sharp is a great machine for operators with any level of experience sharpening square-chisel saw chain.  Both experienced operators and those who are just learning will like the Pro Sharp. Unlike many top-grade tools, the Pro Sharp  is easy to operate with minimal experience. In fact, some believe it is easier to learn how to sharpen square-chisel chain on the Pro Sharp than on entry level machines. Silvey was careful to keep its operation simple so an operator with minimal experience can produce good cutting chains, while still having a machine that meets his needs as his experience grows.

It is also a good machine for production grinding in a saw shop or for maintaining square-chisel chains for a crew. Its motor runs cool and has plenty of power. Its switches are long wearing. Its wear parts are readily available and easy to change.  It's a machine that will serve an operator for years and years.

Experts agree - the ultimate square-chisel  grinder is a Silvey Pro Sharp.

Click here for an illustrated parts list of the Pro Sharp grinder.