Hand filing square

Zombiechopper · Jan 24, 2013

This is something I would like to learn.

Does anyone have a video or could take a pic of how to hold a file on a cutter? I'm not new to freehand round filing and I am not interested in jigs. I want to learn to do it freehand before everyone who knows how is too old to spell their own names. I file round inside to outer edge but when I have tried doing it this way with a goofy file it doesn't seem to work too well. Should I do outside to in? And is a goofy file a bad way to get started?

Trx250r180 · Jan 24, 2013

outside in on square opposite of round ,the top wide part of the file touches the top plate of the cutter ,i think mdavle posted video a while back

w8ye · Jan 24, 2013

Go to Madsen's chainsaw web site.

There is a tutorial on there that explains it.

Square filing takes a lot of practice for the corner of the file must stay at the outside corner of the cutter tooth while maintaining the exterior and interior angles. Half of this is taken care of automatically due to the way the file is cut. The rest is up to you and your consistency.

A beak on the top plate will not cut for toot.

Gullets have to be cleaned out with a round file.

Zombiechopper · Jan 24, 2013

Bingo. This is what I needed to see
[video=youtube;JZMuqKxwc60]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JZMuqKxwc60[/video]

Now, It looks like the first corner of the file should line up with the corner of the cutter? Yes?

With a goofy file, same idea? The corner where it goes from Flat to the rounded edge should line up with the corner of the cutter?

And, am I shooting myself in the foot by starting with a goofy file?

Zombiechopper · Jan 24, 2013

w8ye said:
Go to Madsen's chainsaw web site.

There is a tutorial on there that explains it.

Square filing takes a lot of practice for the corner of the file must stay at the outside corner of the cutter tooth while maintaining the exterior and interior angles. Half of this is taken care of automatically due to the way the file is cut. The rest is up to you and your consistency.

A beak on the top plate will not cut for toot.

Gullets have to be cleaned out with a round file.

so, 'beak' happens if the corner of the file cuts into the top plate?

Dennis Cahoon · Jan 24, 2013

Below the top plate.......but what has been said about a beak isn't true.....the tooth will cut good with beak, just won't last as long.

w8ye · Jan 24, 2013

CORRECT

If the corner of the file gets into the top plate there will be a notch there and the chain will cut like it is dull but to feel of it the chain is sharp.

If the corner of the file gets into the side plate, the chain will cut pretty good until this beak breaks off and then the cutter will have a dull corner.

So you can have a beak in either the top or the side plate.

Beaks are not good. A top plate beak is terrible - A side plate beak is not so bad, especially a small one.

The point is, you must have good light to sharpen a square chain to absolutely try to keep the corner of the file at the corner of the cutter.

If you are to error slightly, error towards a beak on the side plate.

A degree finder is essential to good square chain sharpening. Use the angles recommended in the Madsen's links. I think so of the Madsen's info is actually from Oregon chain.

I have used the single bevel, double bevel and six sided files. They all work. The corner goes out first.

Chris-PA · Jan 24, 2013

I'm a noob on hand filing square, but I've had fun learning what little I have so far. Absolutely file outside in, the difference is amazing. And I second the light thing - it just ain't happening if the light isn't good.

w8ye · Jan 24, 2013

A used square grinder could turn out some beautiful square ground chain even from a round ground chain.

They sharpen a chain just as fast as a round grinder

Termite · Jan 24, 2013

I can freehand square but the prices of files ! Ouch ! Makes me question is it worth it?

Chris-PA · Jan 24, 2013

Termite said:
I can freehand square but the prices of files ! Ouch ! Makes me question is it worth it?

My conclusion so far is no, but it is something I wanted to learn. Maybe if I get good enough the improvement in performance will be worth it, but for a home firewood cutter it is hard to see how.

Tzed250 · Jan 24, 2013

Hand filed square:

SQ1 by zweitakt250, on Flickr

4x4American · Jan 24, 2013

here is the madsens link if you havent found it: How To File Square Chisel Chain

Ax-man · Jan 25, 2013

This might be useful once you have mastered the basics. In our area we have mostly hardwood and medium hardwood and square filing chisel chain didn't make that big of a difference in how much wood got cut verses the regular way of filing chain. It is a good technique to master.

Tzed250 · Jan 25, 2013

Nice. That chain will cut..

Zombiechopper · Jan 25, 2013

mdavlee said:
Here's a few pictures of a full skip oregon chain I've got here that I've filed the last 3 times it needed sharpened. Best I could get on the angles is 35° down on the underside of the top plate and a 25° top plate.

Do you clean the gullets out like that on new chain?

Dennis Cahoon · Jan 25, 2013

One hot day at Saw Camp.....they made me file my own racechain.:msp_biggrin:

Philbert · Jan 25, 2013

I have never filed (or ground) square ground chain, but have read through some of the stuff, trying to understand it.

I get the need to clear out the gullet. Can anyone explain why the Oregon instructions say to 'Always leave an 1/8" shelf behind the gullet'? Does this support the file?

Thanks.

philbert

Philbert · Jan 25, 2013

Dennis Cahoon said:
One hot day at Saw Camp.....they made me file my own racechain

Dennis,

Do you have any more photos/details of your chain holding vise/fixture? I am working on one that looks similar, and would like to see what you have there.

Thanks

mdavlee said:
I don't know what oregon is referring to leaving an 1/8" somewhere on the gullet. I would like to see the literature you're talking about.

This is from the 'Square Filing' section (pages 42 - 43) of their 'Maintenance and Safety Manual':

- OREGON Maintenance and Safety Manual

Philbert

Itsme7 · Jan 25, 2013

Have a question. Whats the different between round chisel and semi chisel?

Hand filing square

Help Support Arborist Forum:

Addicted to ArboristSite

Saw polisher

Addicted to ArboristSite

Addicted to ArboristSite

Addicted to ArboristSite

Addicted to ArboristSite

Addicted to ArboristSite

Where the Wild Things Are

Addicted to ArboristSite

Time To Launch

Where the Wild Things Are

Addicted to ArboristSite

Got Sawdust?

Addicted to ArboristSite

Addicted to ArboristSite

Addicted to ArboristSite

Addicted to ArboristSite

Chainsaw Enthusiast

Chainsaw Enthusiast

ArboristSite Operative

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!