cleaning files

[sdt7618]

Any ideas on getting chain files cleaned up, heard somewhere to soak in vinegar? what you all think?

 

[Scandy14]

There is a special brush to do this. It's called a file card, I believe.

 

[deye223]

opcorn:

 

[Tzed250]

Cleaning saw chain files can be done with a wire brush and contact cleaner. A file should have zero oil on it.

 

[user 64030]

Cleaning saw chain files can be done with a wire brush and contact cleaner. A file should have zero oil on it.

Off the subject, but I find when filing aluminum, using a light oil/spray lube like WD40 keeps the aluminum from clogging the file to begin with, but that is the only time I would use oil.


dw

 

[Majorpayne]

I use brake cleaner.

 

[Slamm]

I throw chain files at trees when they stop working. If you use Stihl files it takes awhile for them to quit working.

Sam

 

[Majorpayne]

I throw chain files at trees when they stop working. If you use Stihl files it takes awhile for them to quit working.

Sam

I use save edge.

 

[Slamm]

I use save edge.

Yes Save Edge are very good too. I get either of those two depending on price.

Stihl chain is harder than Oregon files. I think Oregon melts down little toy trains and molds that metal substance into a chain file looking object.

Sam

 

[Tzed250]

Oregon files are made for Oregon chain. They are both soft.

 

[T0RN4D0]

Aw and i just got a 3 pack of Oregon files to try out.

 

[D&B Mack]

If coated in oil, I use WD40 as well. If they are filled with metal, I use a new file.

 

[Stihl 041S]

Wire brush but not a wire wheel.

For a flat file, flatten the end of a 30-06 case and run it along the teeth. Gets the chunks out.

Aluminum, chalk it first.

There is an acid process. I'll go look.

 

[imagineero]

People use files way too long generally. They're a consumable item, but for some reason a lot of guys just can't bring themselves to replace them. I usually buy a few dozen at a time. As soon as I notice there's a difference between a new one and a used one, the used one is gone.

Consider that on a 20" chain there's 36 cutters, and you might put anywhere from 2 strokes per cutter to 10 if you've rocked it out. You're probably averaging 100 strokes per sharpen when you even it out. How many times will you sharpen the chain before replacing the file? For me, I guess a file gets a usable life of between 2,000~4,000 (depending on how much crap is on the chains) strokes before it gets binned. That's a couple days sharpening for me. A quality file (stihl or savedge) costs a buck. As soon as it takes me one extra stroke per cutter, I'm reaching for a new one. This brings the cost of sharpening 20" chain to between 2c~5c per sharpen. Grab a dozen and don't be shy to throw them.

The other thing to consider is that if you are an infrequent user, the file will lose its edge from rust in less 'strokes'. Also, a sharp file is a safe file. You only need light pressure on a good sharp file to get a good clean cut. When a file gets blunt, it will still cut... but you'll be pushing it harder, leaning on it harder... which is not only tiring and unpleasant, if the file slips off the cutter you'll open your finger up nicely. I've done it once, after hand sharpening many miles of chain. Went all the way to the bone (stitches) and seen plenty of other guys who have done it. I use sharp files, and welding gloves now.

Plenty of guys are happy to pay $5/chain or more to get a shop to do an awful job of sharpening their chain, but won't spend a buck on a new file.

Shaun

 

[sachsmo]

Heard vinegar will revive a file, never tried it though.

I have use Tap-Majic for years, seems to float out the offending dust/chips.


Guess I've been doing it wrong the whole time?

Dredging the file through the cutting fluid does seem to give an old file more "bite".

 

[benp]

There is a special brush to do this. It's called a file card, I believe.

Thanks!!!

I have been just using compressed air when in the shop. I'll have to pick one of these up today. Nice to have in the field.

Now dumb question, but which direction do you brush, with or against?

 

[Slamm]

Thanks!!!

I have been just using compressed air when in the shop. I'll have to pick one of these up today. Nice to have in the field.

Now dumb question, but which direction do you brush, with or against?

Look, you need to understand that in the beginning novices will buy all sorts of stuff that pro's will never use ......... then the novice will find out later that there is a reason pro's don't use them. This file card is one of those things.

You don't use a file card on a chain file and certainly not in the field, that is gentle.

As you sharpen your chain and the chain file gets chips on it or in it, you just tap it against the side of your bar and the chips will fall off and you file some more and then you are done.

If you pull out a file card and others are around to see you, they will either quietly snicker to themselves or if they are a little more vocal about their thoughts, they will say something like, "What the F-- are you doing?"

File cards are for sizeable and more costly files. The economics of using a file card on a chain file just don't justify the silliness of possibly having someone else see you with one.

This is coming from someone who was a machinist and tool and die maker for years and has filed more metal then he cares to ever have to do again, and knows the whens and whys of using both files and file cards...................... this is not one of them.

Sam

 

[benp]

Look, you need to understand that in the beginning novices will buy all sorts of stuff that pro's will never use ......... then the novice will find out later that there is a reason pro's don't use them. This file card is one of those things.

You don't use a file card on a chain file and certainly not in the field, that is gentle.

As you sharpen your chain and the chain file gets chips on it or in it, you just tap it against the side of your bar and the chips will fall off and you file some more and then you are done.

If you pull out a file card and others are around to see you, they will either quietly snicker to themselves or if they are a little more vocal about their thoughts, they will say something like, "What the F-- are you doing?"

File cards are for sizeable and more costly files. The economics of using a file card on a chain file just don't justify the silliness of possibly having someone else see you with one.

This is coming from someone who was a machinist and tool and die maker for years and has filed more metal then he cares to ever have to do again, and knows the whens and whys of using both files and file cards...................... this is not one of them.

Sam

Thanks for your input from the metal side of things.

I usually tap out the file when in the field anyways, so, I guess I am good to go.

I have never been one of the cool kids so I am accustomed to people snickering. Just another day.

 

[WKEND LUMBERJAK]

Thanks!!!

I have been just using compressed air when in the shop. I'll have to pick one of these up today. Nice to have in the field.

Now dumb question, but which direction do you brush, with or against?

I have used the file fard on flat files I will have to try one on round I brush across the file cutter on flat.

 

[Trx250r180]

get a grinder and you wont have to clean the files :msp_wink: