LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
…dull chain…
Bar discoloration normal
- Thread starter ErnieG
- Start date
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Doesn't matter how much fuel has been used. Chain can dull in just one cut
Chain is a little dull and not quite enough hook. If you have to push down or use the dogs to get it to cut, there’s room for improvement in the chain
You’re getting your hook back, but the underside of the top plate is still dull. Need to lift the file up into the plate
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
Sharp chains here mentioned a lot on this forum but can’t be emphasized enough. I’ve been improving my sharpening skills for 20 years. Lol never let a bar smoke and I routinely sharpen at the end of a job, 2to 3 tanks whether it seems sharp or not. Like said, one dirty cut can knock the edge right off a chain. I’ve got bars with nearly 50 real hours on them that still have paint against the rails. Some bars are repainted with apoxy based paint just to serve as another gauge after they are dressed.
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
I made this mistake for a while. Every time I filed it would cut better but still wasn’t properly sharp.
I think most get so used to running a dull chain that it becomes the new norm. And when the saw grabs and bites in on its own it becomes too aggressive for some. A new loop of RS is far more aggressive than how many guys run their chains
Hook looks good. Still need to get up under the working corner
That top corner should feel like a cats claw. Should stick into your skin when you touch it lightly.
If it doesn't do that, you're not sharp yet. If the chain is rocked, or that corner gets knocked off for whatever reason, it takes a while to get the corner back. Keep going until you see the file and the top corner come together.
If it doesn't do that, you're not sharp yet. If the chain is rocked, or that corner gets knocked off for whatever reason, it takes a while to get the corner back. Keep going until you see the file and the top corner come together.
You’re winning. Now look really closely at the top plate to see if it’s still rounded over. Hard to see it in the pics.
I use the zoom on my camera to look at the edge. Gotta get it in just the right light and angle to see it
Needs more gullet. This is a new chain? Never sharpened? How about some pics looking at the top and front of the cutters.
First pic is spot on
notice how the front edge of the cutter is rounded down.
That chain is dull, you need to file back past the rounded down bit to a fresh straight edge, post up some clearer closer images and we can go from there.
edited to add.
ah I see others have posted since, and commented on the cutter not being correctly sharpened.
You more recent pics show progress, yet you need to keep filing till you remove the damage or rounded edge on the cutter.
the pictures of looking down the chain still show damage to the edge of the cutter tooth that needs to be removed before the chain will cut correctly.
The amount of hook etc is all subjective to what your cutting and how you want it to cut, but the first priority is to remove the damage to the leading edge of your cutting tooth by filing till its been removed, then you can concentrate on amount of hook etc, for now, just use the file guide to suit your chain and sort the leading edge of your teeth, then go back over the chain and set the rakers correctly too.
Ok file to the red line to remove damage on the tooth cutting edges, as the cutting edge of the tooth is rounded over and damaged, only way to get the tooth cutting well is to remove that damage and have a nice sharp edge to it again.
I'm Learning alot in this thread thanks for all the valuable info shared guys.
SteveSr
Addicted to ArboristSite
I think that you are looking at a reflection off the top of the cutter. Yes, it still needs sharpened but not THAT much...
