Bar mounted filing guide

[woodsjunkie]

Hello all, After reading most of your posts I have desided that I am doing WAY to much damage to my chains grinding them with my 511 grinder.So sence I have never learnt to file a chain properly I though i might buy a bar mounted filing guide.Maybe i can learn to file freehand to proper angles etc. Hoping someone can guide me in the rite direction as to what one to get and maybe best place to buy? Thanks Eric

 

[the tree guy]

husqvarna dealers have guide that will set on your bar and chain and hold the file at the proper angle.They are about 5to 6 dollars,all you need to know is the chain size,(.325,.375,or .404) and file need for your chain.What size chain you using?I might have a few extra ones sitting around,I know I have a bunch for .325 chain,and one spare for 3/8.I really need to learn how to use the scanner my sons got for Christmas. Dan

 

[woodsjunkie]

Dan, I run 72 lg chain, The type your talking about dose it clamp on the bar or is it a fee hand type

 

[jokers]

Hi Eric, find the post "Carleton File-O-Plate For Raker Maintenance", it`s on pg 2 right now, and as you scroll through it you will see where I(jokers) posted pics of the Husky tools for rakers and tooth filing. Right below my post is a reply from Kevin with a pic of the file-o-plate. I`ve used and still own one of the Oregon bar mounted guides and although it is precise if you set it up and use it properly, I find it slow and cumbersome. I do use it somewhat regularly on a saw that runs 91vs because I have a tendency to overflex those 5/32 files. The point is, if you don`t understand the angles and relationships of proper freehand filing, the guide is no good either, it only sort of holds you to the way you set it up. Try one of the freehand guides that give you a little crutch and soon you will have it mastered to the point where you don`t want a guide at all. Russ

 

[Kevin]

I have an Oregon bar mount file and it works real well.
The numbers must be read with magnification because they were stamped in the metal then painted black.
That reminds me, I have to write and tell them I`m disatisfied with the way they did that.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Practice on some junk chains and compare them to some new ones. Everything you need to know is on this site, it has been a hot topic for the last month

 

[Walt Galer]

Howdy,

Personally, I do not recommend any of the file frame type file guides. (The one that clamps on the bar especially). These devices look like a great idea, with all the angle numbers on there and all. In reality, they sure don't work for me. They flex far too much.

The Carlton File-o-plate is a much simpler and cheaper tool that works great on the model chains that each is intended for.

The Oregon flat type file guides are cheap, and work as well as anything. I strongly recomend them for beginners.

There are all manner of others on the market, most at rather steep prices. The above are the most reliable and the cheapest.

Regards,
Walt Galer

 

[Kevin]

Walt,
That Oregon bar mount I`m using is slick as a ?????.
I can just tease the cutter with two strokes and catch the working corner with a bit of the top plate.
I take a long time sharpening my chains but they tend to stay sharp longer.
Each cutter has the same amount of metal missing from the sharpening, I can`t see it getting much more exact than that.

 

[woodsjunkie]

Thanks a lot guys you guys seem to be the masters. I will pickup a Carleton File-O-Plate and see what happens. Eric

 

[Walt Galer]

Howdy Kevin,

Sounds like you have the secret figured out. Indeed, if you are very gentle, and take your time setting up exactly, those things will go a great job. Problem is, I'm much too high strung to get along with the device. It cuts into too much time that could better be utilized out fishing.

Regards,
Walt Galer

 

[Kevin]

I hear you Walt.

I found that if I sit off center to the file so my arm is in direct line with the file it will remove most of that side play you speak of.

 

[Walt Galer]

Howdy Kevin,

You have discovered one of the important secrets to great filing. If you position your hand and forearm in a straight line with the file and with the work at a height where you can stand up straight, your hand and arm and file will stroke in a neat straight line. (kind of like the swing of a pendulum). If you do not, your hand and arm will "wiggle" the file during the stroke. The resulting cutting edge will be no sharper angle than the most blunt angle of the wiggle!

This costs most folks a considerable amount of the cutting performance of a filed chain.

Regards,
Walt Galer

 

[Toneman]

I also use the bar mount type file system,and like Kevin have had great results. I have found that if you take the extra time to set up the unit on the bar,and during filing it does a great job. Just one of those tools that a little extra time taken produces great results!

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi There, Walt is right about the angle deviation that results from an unsteady hand. Filing must be visualized as one would playing the violin. No two musicians make the same note, but the sound is sweet none the less. Filing is an art, so make your own music, with a steady hand.
Music in the Bush

 

[Gypo Logger]

Here it is Ohio.
John