Bar maintenance

[RIX]

I have been using the factory provided stihl bar on an MS290 for nearly 3 years, I'm guessing 80-100 hours and have never filed the bar. Is this practice something that should be done each time the chain is sharpened? I always use a sharp chain and flip the bar but just never thought to file the bar until I read something about it here in one of the threads. How often should it be done? I assume my bar is now junk, maybe it can be filed and saved but what is the criteria, and process for doing this?

 

[blis]

i file the bar everytime i flip the bar, which is around every 30 tankfulls... just quick touch on edges...

 

[1wildthing]

I usually only file the bar when it starts getting a sharp edge on it. (or mushrooming) Then just flatten it off and keep cutting. I normally flip it every day or two.

 

[stihlatit]

Put the bar flat on the bench and file the bur of the edge all the way round on both sides. Thats all there is to it. It will make you quicker through the cut.

 

[thompson1600]

The only other thing I'd add is to use a bar rail closer occasionally to make sure there isn't any slop inside the groove.

 

[SawTroll]

I usually only file the bar when it starts getting a sharp edge on it. (or mushrooming) Then just flatten it off and keep cutting. I normally flip it every day or two.

About the same here, but I probably use the file more often (at the slightest sign of anything).

It is not critical how often you do it, ynless it is neglected for a long time, I believe.

 

[Ed*L]

After removing the burr from the edge of the bar I'll check squareness of the rails to the side of the bar with a machinists square. Then file or grind if required. You need to keep the rails the same height or the saw will want to cut on an angle.

Ed

 

[stihlatit]

After removing the burr from the edge of the bar I'll check squareness of the rails to the side of the bar with a machinists square. Then file or grind if required. You need to keep the rails the same height or the saw will want to cut on an angle.

Ed

Thx Ed was thinking of what I posted and was just going to add grind the rails when I read your post.

 

[RIX]

Thanks Guys, thats just what I needed. I will file this bar and see if it will be alright, sounds like it should be, then continue to file it when I see issues come up. Thanks Again.

 

[SawTroll]

Thanks Guys, thats just what I needed. I will file this bar and see if it will be alright, sounds like it should be, then continue to file it when I see issues come up. Thanks Again.

Correction, preferably before issues show up......:greenchainsaw:

 

[SteveH]

I don't dress the bar or anything unless it needs it. I do flip it at the end of every cutting session, when I am examining the chain and cleaning sawdust from under the sprocket cover. While I'm flipping the bar, I clean out the groove, if it needs it, and check the condition of the rails and etc.

The bar that came with my 036 lasted me four years and a fair amount of cutting [not professional, just many cords of wood for home]. In my earlier life, I was lazier about messin' with bars, didn't flip them very often [usually when the saw started cutting crooked and by that time I needed some real attention to the bar] and seldom checked their condition. I went thru more bars that way and ultimately spent more time fixing them.

 

[RIX]

Good point Troll, I know bars aren't the most expensive things around but its nice to make them last I guess.