another chain saw sharpening question

[GregHarrison]

In cutting some unsplittable pieces of firewood I came across a problem I have seen mentioned here but could not find the complete answer in such a way that I could understand it, so here it is.
In "splitting" the wood with my 260, it only cut small little bits of wood.. I tried it with my MS 200 with a new chain and it cut like crazy, larger chips and faster cutting. Looking at the well used chain on the 260 I could see that the hook was much less pronounced on its chain, and I assume that the larger angle makes it cut slower but the edge is more durable. Do I use a smaller file once the cutter is reduced in heighth from lots of sharpening?
Hope I made the problem clear. Thanks again for help with this issue also!
Greg Harrison

 

[Crofter]

Ripping end grain the tooth penetrates easier if you drop your file to give more hook. To get more hook, especially on a worn back chain, you may have to drop a file size to keep from cutting too deep into the tie strap over the rear rivet.

 

[skwerl]

Are you cutting the log from the top down, across the grain? Or are you laying the log down and cutting it with the grain? Cutting with the grain will produce 'curly fries'.

Oh, and in 20 years I've never needed to drop a file size to properly sharpen a chain. I know many do, but IMO it's not necessary to get a chain sharp and cutting properly.

 

[GregHarrison]

Are you cutting the log from the top down, across the grain? Or are you laying the log down and cutting it with the grain? Cutting with the grain will produce 'curly fries'.

Oh, and in 20 years I've never needed to drop a file size to properly sharpen a chain. I know many do, but IMO it's not necessary to get a chain sharp and cutting properly.

I am cutting from the top down. After doing another search I think I found some of the answers. You basically try to match the factory profile as the cutter wears down! Sounds simple. I think I have ended up with the file too high in the cutter. Therefore it has taken a lot of the hook out and not filed to the bottom of the gullet?
Thanks for the info and patience
Greg

 

[SawTroll]

Are you cutting the log from the top down, across the grain? Or are you laying the log down and cutting it with the grain? Cutting with the grain will produce 'curly fries'. ....

I recommend cutting from the side, with the grain, when splitting "unsplittable" firewood pieces with a saw.
The "curly fries" tend to build up under the clutch cover, but it helps to angle the bar slightly downwords, and also to keep some distance between the saw body and the wood.
My MS361 works much better for this sort of cutting than my other saws, because of the "clean" inside of the clutch cover.

 

[GregHarrison]

I recommend cutting from the side, with the grain, when splitting "unsplittable" firewood pieces with a saw.
The "curly fries" tend to build up under the clutch cover, but it helps to angle the bar slightly downwords, and also to keep some distance between the saw body and the wood.
My MS361 works much better for this sort of cutting than my other saws, because of the "clean" inside of the clutch cover.

Thanks for the advice, I can see where cutting from the side would be an advantage!
Greg

 

[West Texas]

Frequently when the chips become smaller, its time to bring the rakers down a little too.

 

[GregHarrison]

Frequently when the chips become smaller, its time to bring the rakers down a little too.

Thanks, I did lower them to .025. I have found the problem. I let the file ride too high and have created a large angle where the top plate is sharpened. ALso there is a large place near the tie strap that is left sticking up. When compared to a new chain and listening to all the good advice I can see where I have not done a very good job at sharpening. Will attempt to fix that tonight. Thanks again
Greg

 

[tony marks]

not to hijack u post ,but how low should the rakers be dropped on a chain with say 1/3 cutter left.

 

[West Texas]

The little flat metal gauge that sits on top of the chain has a drop down of .025 and you file off that part of the raker that is sticking up above the gauge with a flat metal file. Then round off the leading edge of the raker.

 

[turnkey4099]

I am cutting from the top down. After doing another search I think I found some of the answers. You basically try to match the factory profile as the cutter wears down! Sounds simple. I think I have ended up with the file too high in the cutter. Therefore it has taken a lot of the hook out and not filed to the bottom of the gullet?
Thanks for the info and patience
Greg

Now there is a new one to me. All the other (me included) beginning filers always filed way too low getting too much hook.

Harry K

 

[GregHarrison]

Now there is a new one to me. All the other (me included) beginning filers always filed way too low getting too much hook.

Harry K

The only reason I made this mistake was reading something that stated you should keep pressure on the saw to keep it up against the top cutter. I guess I went overboard, but it's not the first time I've done that!