A saw filing question

[Bigsnowdog]

From all that I read it seems that the hardcore chain filers file a new chain, and do not seem much in favor of sharpening by grinding.

For those in the group who are essentially just filing, do you stay with one chain until you have exhausted its useful life and then move on to the next chain? What circumstances cause you to change chains? If you only file, do you keep very few chains?

Is the metallurgy of some brands of chain such that they are not so easy to file, or are they all the same?

Thanks....

 

[a_lopa]

files are the go,you cant take a grinder in the scrub,easy sharp(electric)can be ok in the right hands.and a vice comes in handy.saws only as good as the chain.some people like to sharpen from new,most to suit there personal preference.

 

[Crofter]

I like to keep some old chains around for jobs where I know I am going to hit dirt or nails. Normal dulling of a chain or even hitting some sandy loam of the forest floor type of dulling I can file on the saw much less hassle than taking the chain off.

 

[Stumper]

Usually, a new chain stays on my saw until it is used up. I have a grinder but I usually just keep on filing. Lots of guys will pull a chain about halfway through its useful life and have it trued up on a grinder. Frankly, a lot of shops don't do good enough work to true anything. Chainswapping is usually practiced by machine sharpening addicts. Using 2 or 3 chains in rotation works okay but I can file-sharpen about as fast as most guys can swap a chain. So why swap chains?

 

[NeTree]

I hand sharpen during the course of the day, then toss in on the grinder every so often to even them up. I use the same chain until it's done; whether that means used up or I hit metal/rock/etc.

I keep a few "fresh" chains (sharpened or new) in the truck, in case of concrete carnage.

If you're really good at cutting, you won't need to sharpen that often. I get a few days out of a filing; the saw sinks right in under less than it's own weight. If you have to start applying pressure, it's dull. the few minutes spent sharpening it will be more than outweighed by the decreased cutting time you get with a sharp chain. Your wrists will like it, too.

As for the metal, it seems like Oregon is softer than the Stihl chains I used to get when I ran Stihls. I've heard this from other people, too.

Grinding is alright, but filing is faster and easier than yanking the chain off.

if the chain gets wiped out by rock/nail/etc, I don't bother grinding it. The time it takes to get it usable isn't worth it. I get my 72LG72's for $11.40. Why waste an hour grinding?

 

[a_lopa]

i like rockys point i used to save chains,what a waste of time last chain that really pissed me i hit concrete and had to put a new one on with a bad sprocket(sproket was on order)only got a day out of it before drive links were history.its hanging on the chipper thinking it might come in handy having a vice on the chipper makes sharpening too easy.since i brought a stumpgrinder my chains/sharpening have increased saws,its going to take a while before ill be satisfied with the whole $$$ situation on stumpgrinding.

 

[Derek]

chainandrocks

I'm sure this is not origional,but
In my firewwod days I would place an old plastic (like where plates) kitchen cutting board (pick em up at garage sales) under any thing I thought might take my saw to ground..Man you should see some of them now...Saved a lot of chain carnage... Derek...

ne tree I carnt do the quote thingy yet but....

"IF YOU ARE REALLY GOOD AT CUTTING, YOU WONT NEED TO SHARPIN THAT OFTEN..."
In the dry timber its whats INSIDE the tree... years of dust build up can blunten them no matter whoes using it...

Green trees ..I've had, wire,stubby bottels that were in a fork and grew over..Same thing with "star pickets" where used to put a little fence when tree was planted, Man that can through you..
Balls,cans of beer and a whole pot plant once. Oh dont forget the horseshoes.. All killers on a chain...Derek...

 

[NeTree]

Derek, I was referring to those people who stick their bar in the dirt on every cut... like your typical homeowner does. I wasn't referring to stuff you can't see or control, like the nail stuck in a tree 50 years ago.

 

[Derek]

oh yer I forget about the nails....
Typical homeowner...Huh my crew is suposed to be pro...you want to see the damage they can do to a chain..Brings a whloe new meaning to the term "Ground cutting" For cring out loud lads we have an excervator for that...Stop cutting the *&^%$% ground! If it was easy everybody would be doing it take care Derek..

 

[Gypo Logger]

What I like more than the operators who rockout constantly as in using the saw for openpit mining, are the ones who are constantly pinching and pulling on the saw. Usually their last thought is any bar and chain mantainance, since most of them think that forcing and overpowering the apperatus is much more productive. If a saw was meant to be rode it would come with a saddle.
John

 

[Derek]

morerocksandchain

When i cut through those roots "my first time at milling" I kept some rocks that i cut in half...10 chains later...One still has timber all round it .. polisihed up the timber - it looks great...Thought about selling it to the chairman of sthil ...some thing for his desk..There is a little defect in the rock you could put a clock in
With a slogan something like "Nothing stops STHIL",

"Ow mutch fer zee littel clock"

Keep cutting ...next time you find one it might be worth a fortune on ebay... Derek...


Mabey I should swap it for a dig camera?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Re: morerocksandchain

Originally posted by Derek



Mabey I should swap it for a dig camera?

Most of the photo developing places have the option to put regular film pictures on CD when you get the picture developed. Then you just pop the CD into the computer and you have digital pictures!

 

[Bigsnowdog]

Probably the worst thing I do with regard to the possibility of getting into some dirt is trimming stumps. No, I don't deliberately go into the grade, but the bottom of the tree is dirty, typically.

 

[Derek]

instantgratifician

Thanx mike Thats what we do,except by mailorder..Then I''M away so much Its like looking at old photos by the time i see them...Just sometimes it would be nice to ....Turn around and capture the wood/rock/clock thing above and send it out..

 

[a_lopa]

whats happening with the chipper build up snowdog???

 

[trimmmed]

like the nail stuck in a tree 50 years ago

Them bullets from days gone by can be a surprise too!

 

[Derek]

imkeepinghim

cut it out, polish it up and put it above the word "MAG" if ya lucky enough to own one...

 

[Bigsnowdog]

Originally posted by aussie_lopa
whats happening with the chipper build up snowdog???

Nothing yet....

 

[trimmmed]

cut it out, polish it up

Too late, sold it on Ebay for $30 or so, LMAO!!!!!!!!!

 

[Derek]

how much fer the chain though?? see ebay is fine but you dont get to "sell" it to anyone...That could of been the bullit that killed Ned Kelly...