Alternative to sharpening your chain

[nstueve]

So far I am the only one with my perspective. I am anxious to see if anyone else shares my point of view.

There are plenty of people around here with your perspective... They are usually townies that cut till chain is dull and replace. They are usually the same ones that run dull chain and end up ruining the bar they are running it on too. Are you even still chipping at 4cord intervals or is it just dust by the time you swap chains????

If you are getting stihl chain for that price you should keep filing it! Or even better yet, (if you're talking 3/8 chain) you should sell them to me for $6/chain... LOL! Don't you love how 3 Iowa guys jump on the chance to buy his chain within 3 pages... LOL...

That being said...

Even if you start with square grind chain from stihl you can file it to make it round; it just takes a few more strokes. I can easily get 10-20 touch-up filings or more on a chain and I touch up my chain about 1 time per cord minimum. I like really sharp chain and don't want to force the cut. That being said there are plenty of little jigs (like the husky clam) you can get for $20 and it fits in your pocket!

If you want to look at the economics of it... Your chain price $15/chain, 15 touch up filings, at 4 cord intervals... 60cords total / $15chain and $20 sharpener. = $0.58 cord on chain! And the ability to sharpen if you need to in the field instead of going into town or keep 2-3 extra chains on hand. What happens if you hit a nail or metal after 1/2 a cord?

Also, Stihl square grind does cut about the best of anything strait from the box. However, I somehow doubt you'll see the cutting speed difference after about 1/2 a cord of wood over round file... most guys don't file b/c they don't know how, and shops won't teach you b/c they wouldn't get the grinder time money...

I'm not saying you're wrong to do it the way you are if that's how you like to do it. I will say that most on here would consider that a waste of good chain.

 

[THALL10326]

how about using a FG-2 and doing 3 chains in 15min (not counting set up)?

Hot dayumm if your stroking that fast thats putting out baby,hehehe Wait, I gave him the 5 minutes, wasn't arguing about that, its the it cuts better than one out the box that I'm really curious about. I tend to find new out the box very hard to beat but I'm all for seeing it done,

 

[CentaurG2]

I do the same thing with my Wusthof kitchen knives. Use em till their dull and ditch em.

Seriously, I get a lot of mileage out of a loop of chain. I touch up at every tank or more often as needed. Much easier to keep a chain sharp than to try to fixed a rocked out chain. It aint hard to round file. Hell if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[nstueve]

Hot dayumm if your stroking that fast thats putting out baby,hehehe Wait, I gave him the 5 minutes, wasn't arguing about that, its the it cuts better than one out the box that I'm really curious about. I tend to find new out the box very hard to beat but I'm all for seeing it done,

stihl square grind out of the box new is VERY hard to beat but not impossible... Actually Carlton/woodland pro and even Oregon isn't that hard to beat out of the box... The fastest race chain is always made from the junk that someone didn't want... Keep that in mind...

 

[Joe Kidd]

Doug, I think you're the first to actually admit it! It does allow you more cutting time but hey, it's your $$.

 

[ancy]

I was first! :msp_angry:

OK you can have them. He only uses one chain a year!

Looks like now you have to fight Nathan for it!!

 

[nstueve]

I do the same thing with my Wusthof kitchen knives. Use em till their dull and ditch em.

Seriously, I get a lot of mileage out of a loop of chain. I touch up at every tank or more often as needed. Much easier to keep a chain sharp than to try to fixed a rocked out chain. It aint hard to round file. Hell if I can do it, anyone can.

:msp_wub::msp_wub::msp_wub:Love my Wusthof's!:msp_wub::msp_wub::msp_wub:
I've only got a steel to sharpen then now but have some japanese honing stones on the way!

OK you can have them. He only uses one chain a year!

Don't let shaun have them! he'll just cut, splice, and grind them into milling chain! :tongue: wait he uses lo-pro for that NM...

 

[farmerdoug]

Challenge . . .

Okay. I have yet to see a video of someone trying to cut with a dull chain, stop their saw, sharpen it and go back to cutting, so that we can see how sharp one of these 5 minute sharpenings are.

Many people can talk about how they can sharpen a chain within 5-10 minutes, but no one can manage to do a video illustrating a dull chain that can't cut, and then a hand sharpened chain that can cut like new. It is possible that the people who remain on this earth with this skill do not know how to run a video camera and can't upload the video. This would be a very reasonable explanation. There is nothing wrong with not being up to date on technology.

Some people just like talking. When I see this, I think they are just talking. I could be wrong. I have yet to see it in the form of a video.

We can't talk about sources, so I can't discuss any details about where I get my chain. Obviously there are good deals on Stihl chain on the west coast. You do need to purchase an entire spool to get a good deal.

 

[SawTroll]

opcorn:opcorn:

 

[malk315]

So do you guys think I am totally insane? Chain cost per cord is right around $2.75.

I've been cutting on and off for 10 years w/ Husky 262XP and recently bought a new 372XP and have been cutting a lot more since I moved 3 years ago to an area with a lot more woods. My brother did tree work for a number of years and he would always put an edge on my chains when he visited.

I was just like you -- since my brother wasn't always around to sharpen I would always have a spare chain for both saws and would just switch if I hit a rock or other gem inside a yard tree etc. I could cut a lot of wood on a new chain and I'm just extra careful not to hit dirt, rocks etc. I tried sharpening freehand -- and it didn't work well for me at all, even w/ my brother's guidance. Got sick of having to change chains when a chain would get wrecked from stuff I kept hitting inside yard trees... so this site was my resource to get me an easy to use file guide. After some research on this site I ordered one of these from Baileys:

Bailey's - Husqvarna Filing Kit for 3/8" Pitch Chainsaw Chain

And watched the video in the description carefully.

On the second sharpening / light raker reduction w/ flatfile I couldn't get over how fast I was going through some big logs (trees victims of hurricane Sandy) and I knew I finally got it right. I'm pretty sure I was cutting faster with my sharpened chain (that was completely wrecked from hitting a huge metal pulley buried in a tree 2 days earlier :msp_scared.

The only other optimization I've done is to get some Oregon brand files that seem to have a better bite than the Husky ones that came with the kit. With the Oregon filed chain with Husky guide I can put a nice edge on all of the teeth of my 24" bar in minutes. My only caveat is I need a vice to sharpen, but that I'm willing to deal with -- much easier than changing chains and then tracking which chains off the saw are in good shape, and which chains are beat and trying to judge by feeling the teeth -- just put a chain on the saw and give all of the teeth a nice edge with a good pass with a good file and guide.

Give it a try -- I think once you can put an edge on your chain faster with a couple file swipes per tooth than you can with taking your clutch cover off and installing a new chain I think you'll find you time spent sharpening is worth it!

Good luck!

 

[Fish]

Man your getting that chain awful cheap there. I'm with you cept I don't bother with the dull chain, I pitch and go bout my business. I can't see myself doing much of anything for 4 bucks, especailly fooling with Craiglist selling a used saw chain. Hell 4 bucks won't even buy me a hamburger. I'm with you, give me a new chain anytime..

You never impressed me as a "Dollar Menu" type!!!!!

 

[Gologit]

Okay. I have yet to see a video of someone trying to cut with a dull chain, stop their saw, sharpen it and go back to cutting, so that we can see how sharp one of these 5 minute sharpenings are.

Many people can talk about how they can sharpen a chain within 5-10 minutes, but no one can manage to do a video illustrating a dull chain that can't cut, and then a hand sharpened chain that can cut like new. It is possible that the people who remain on this earth with this skill do not know how to run a video camera and can't upload the video. This would be a very reasonable explanation. There is nothing wrong with not being up to date on technology.

Some people just like talking. When I see this, I think they are just talking. I could be wrong. I have yet to see it in the form of a video.

We can't talk about sources, so I can't discuss any details about where I get my chain. Obviously there are good deals on Stihl chain on the west coast. You do need to purchase an entire spool to get a good deal.

This should be interesting.

 

[cedarshark]

You'll never get 4 cords to the chain around here cutting dead liveoak...4 chains to the cord is about the norm. As my grandfather said..."son, that dog won't hunt !":confident

 

[sunfish]

Video please, I'd like to see all that. I'll give ya the 5 minutes but better than new out the box, got my stopie watch here, roll the film,LOL

I don't do video man! :msp_rolleyes:

5 minutes might be a little stretch, but no more that 10. I don't cut with dull chain, so mine aren't that bad when I do sharpen... I'm also using 68 and 72 link chain, so a bit quicker than 84.

 

[Tree Feller]

Okay. I have yet to see a video of someone trying to cut with a dull chain, stop their saw, sharpen it and go back to cutting, so that we can see how sharp one of these 5 minute sharpenings are.

Many people can talk about how they can sharpen a chain within 5-10 minutes, but no one can manage to do a video illustrating a dull chain that can't cut, and then a hand sharpened chain that can cut like new. It is possible that the people who remain on this earth with this skill do not know how to run a video camera and can't upload the video. This would be a very reasonable explanation. There is nothing wrong with not being up to date on technology.

Some people just like talking. When I see this, I think they are just talking. I could be wrong. I have yet to see it in the form of a video.

We can't talk about sources, so I can't discuss any details about where I get my chain. Obviously there are good deals on Stihl chain on the west coast. You do need to purchase an entire spool to get a good deal.

I dont think anyone here is talking about hand sharpening a chain that is so dull it wont even cut!!
I never let my chains get that dull, If you touch one up when you re- fuel you can do it well under 10 min. If my chains get even close to as dull as you are saying they go to the grinder. if one of my chains does happen to get real dull or i hit somthing then i have another chain ready to go I just replace the one on the saw. And i'll tell you what i knew an old man that could sharpen a chan just as fast as you could replace the one on your saw unless he had hit somthing which he could not file out! I'm glad your system works for you but as for me i'll keep my half worn out chains!:msp_wink:

 

[THALL10326]

stihl square grind out of the box new is VERY hard to beat but not impossible... Actually Carlton/woodland pro and even Oregon isn't that hard to beat out of the box... The fastest race chain is always made from the junk that someone didn't want... Keep that in mind...

Welp it good to know it can be done. I only use Stihl chain, find the rest sorta soft and don't hold a edge quite as long as Stihl does. However I've yet to see a sharpened chain outcut a new one out the box. I've heard it for years but never seen it. I know many are real good sharpening by hand but sadly there are more than aren't. I get chains in here that you would have to see to believe, the very worst ones coming from arborists..

 

[srcarr52]

I've been cutting on and off for 10 years w/ Husky 262XP and recently bought a new 372XP and have been cutting a lot more since I moved 3 years ago to an area with a lot more woods. My brother did tree work for a number of years and he would always put an edge on my chains when he visited.

I was just like you -- since my brother wasn't always around to sharpen I would always have a spare chain for both saws and would just switch if I hit a rock or other gem inside a yard tree etc. I could cut a lot of wood on a new chain and I'm just extra careful not to hit dirt, rocks etc. I tried sharpening freehand -- and it didn't work well for me at all, even w/ my brother's guidance. Got sick of having to change chains when a chain would get wrecked from stuff I kept hitting inside yard trees... so this site was my resource to get me an easy to use file guide. After some research on this site I ordered one of these from Baileys:

Bailey's - Husqvarna Filing Kit for 3/8" Pitch Chainsaw Chain

And watched the video in the description carefully.

On the second sharpening / light raker reduction w/ flatfile I couldn't get over how fast I was going through some big logs (trees victims of hurricane Sandy) and I knew I finally got it right. I'm pretty sure I was cutting faster with my sharpened chain (that was completely wrecked from hitting a huge metal pulley buried in a tree 2 days earlier :msp_scared.

The only other optimization I've done is to get some Oregon brand files that seem to have a better bite than the Husky ones that came with the kit. With the Oregon filed chain with Husky guide I can put a nice edge on all of the teeth of my 24" bar in minutes. My only caveat is I need a vice to sharpen, but that I'm willing to deal with -- much easier than changing chains and then tracking which chains off the saw are in good shape, and which chains are beat and trying to judge by feeling the teeth -- just put a chain on the saw and give all of the teeth a nice edge with a good pass with a good file and guide.

Give it a try -- I think once you can put an edge on your chain faster with a couple file swipes per tooth than you can with taking your clutch cover off and installing a new chain I think you'll find you time spent sharpening is worth it!

As far as cheaper chain loops -- I found Oregon 73LGX084G chain loops at Baileys or the local shop to be typically $10 more than what they show on comstocklogging i.e. $14.00 from Comstock and more like $24.00 from Baileys or local Husky shop.

Comstock 73LGX084G for $14.00

I haven't yet ordered from Comstock, so I don't know how good they are to deal with.

Good luck!

We are talking about square ground chain which is much more of a PITA to sharpen than round ground.

 

[sunfish]

Okay. I have yet to see a video of someone trying to cut with a dull chain, stop their saw, sharpen it and go back to cutting, so that we can see how sharp one of these 5 minute sharpenings are.

Many people can talk about how they can sharpen a chain within 5-10 minutes, but no one can manage to do a video illustrating a dull chain that can't cut, and then a hand sharpened chain that can cut like new. It is possible that the people who remain on this earth with this skill do not know how to run a video camera and can't upload the video. This would be a very reasonable explanation. There is nothing wrong with not being up to date on technology.

Some people just like talking. When I see this, I think they are just talking. I could be wrong. I have yet to see it in the form of a video.

We can't talk about sources, so I can't discuss any details about where I get my chain. Obviously there are good deals on Stihl chain on the west coast. You do need to purchase an entire spool to get a good deal.

All you're doin is talking, Bubba... :msp_rolleyes:

 

[Fish]

Welp it good to know it can be done. I only use Stihl chain, find the rest sorta soft and don't hold a edge quite as long as Stihl does. However I've yet to see a sharpened chain outcut a new one out the box. I've heard it for years but never seen it. I know many are real good sharpening by hand but sadly there are more than aren't. I get chains in here that you would have to see to believe, the very worst ones coming from arborists..

No Arborist bashing now!!!!!!

In the arborist camp, I am considered a "Teddy Bear"!!!!!

 

[Metals406]

The entire time I have been part of this forum, I have only seen people discuss sharpening their chain or paying someone to sharpen it for them.

The question is to how many people out there are take my position on chainsaw chain. I do not like cutting with a dull chain. If the chain is not cutting up to par, then I take it off and put a brand new chain on. The chain is only used 1 time and is sold for $4 on craigslist in a batch to someone who enjoys sharpening chain.

I usually get 4 cord of cut firewood out of a single chain. I run with Stihl RSLK 84 drivers on a 25" bar.

The Stihl RSLK 84 drivers will run $12.24 + $2.50 to put the loop together. Total cost just under $15. You sell the used loop for $4 and your net cost is $11 per chain.

I don't do enough volume to own a silvey grinder set and my time is too valuable to sharpen myself. I have yet to find a chain that is better than one right out of the box. I have had my chains done on a Silvey grinder, (but not had the rakers set) and I still prefer the stuff right out of the box.

So do you guys think I am totally insane? Chain cost per cord is right around $2.75.

:dribble:

Okay. I have yet to see a video of someone trying to cut with a dull chain, stop their saw, sharpen it and go back to cutting, so that we can see how sharp one of these 5 minute sharpenings are.

Many people can talk about how they can sharpen a chain within 5-10 minutes, but no one can manage to do a video illustrating a dull chain that can't cut, and then a hand sharpened chain that can cut like new. It is possible that the people who remain on this earth with this skill do not know how to run a video camera and can't upload the video. This would be a very reasonable explanation. There is nothing wrong with not being up to date on technology.

Some people just like talking. When I see this, I think they are just talking. I could be wrong. I have yet to see it in the form of a video.

We can't talk about sources, so I can't discuss any details about where I get my chain. Obviously there are good deals on Stihl chain on the west coast. You do need to purchase an entire spool to get a good deal.

I accept your challenge, and also will accept five 93dl .050" 3/8" chains as payment for my time -- for winning said challenge. :msp_biggrin: