Cutter Lengths.

[Bowtie]

How picky and what methods do you all use to check cutter length on your chains? I took 2 abused Stihl chains that were 66 drive link count and broke them and spun them up for my 28" bar for my 064. I used the grinder at work to take the rocked out part off the cutter, knowing i was going to hand file them later to my liking.

Today I was goofing off in the shop after stacking a bunch of wood for next year, so I put that chain back on the 064 and got out my digital caliper and started checking cutter lengths. The longest was 8.51mm. The shortest was 7.36mm. I filed the shortest to 7.30, and continued on around until I had all within .03mm. I dont usually get near that picky,but I wasnt in any hurry to do ANYTHING today, lol. I usually count strokes, or eyeball it if the chain is in good shape. It took me damn near an hour to get the one 28" chain as near perfect as I could get it.

 

[Gologit]

How picky and what methods do you all use to check cutter length on your chains? I took 2 abused Stihl chains that were 66 drive link count and broke them and spun them up for my 28" bar for my 064. I used the grinder at work to take the rocked out part off the cutter, knowing i was going to hand file them later to my liking.

Today I was goofing off in the shop after stacking a bunch of wood for next year, so I put that chain back on the 064 and got out my digital caliper and started checking cutter lengths. The longest was 8.51mm. The shortest was 7.36mm. I filed the shortest to 7.30, and continued on around until I had all within .03mm. I dont usually get near that picky,but I wasnt in any hurry to do ANYTHING today, lol. I usually count strokes, or eyeball it if the chain is in good shape. It took me damn near an hour to get the one 28" chain as near perfect as I could get it.

Go cut something with it and let us know if it's any smoother. Unless I've really rocked a chain I usually just eyeball it for cutter length. Your method might get a lot of us out of the recliner on rainy days.

 

[volks-man]

is it really that big a deal? a bud rocked a brand new chain for me on the 026 last winter. i just filed till each was sharp. some were longer than others. after i filed the rakers with the oregon gauge. i figured if the rakers are set to each pair of teeth then they should take the same size bite, right?

 

[Bowtie]

Im going to try it out tomorrow. I was going to today, but its 10 degrees, -19 windchill. I spent enough time outside today, and will be outside all week. It was time to come in and feed the fireplace, enjoy the fruits of the labor, lol.

I am going to start checking new chains for cutter length just to know. I have noticed visual differences in some brands of new chains, but never thought about measuring.

 

[PA Plumber]

I have found I can get away with a lot on a hand filed chain.

With the grinder, I'm a lot more careful.

 

[Signoflife]

Different strokes for different folks!

I have found that different people will tell you different stories based on what they are used to or think they know or know no better. Does that make sense?

I used to not worry at all about keeping the cutters all the same length, I did keep them sharp, correct angles, drag heights matched at each cutter regularily, and the chains cut OK, but not quite as good or smooth as new chains.

Then I got back to cutting wood with my old man who takes great care in keeping them the same length, and all the other stuff as well. Well I could pick up one of his saws with his sharpend chains and they seem to cut a little better, smoother and even seem to stay sharp a little longer, as good or maybe even a little better than a new chain.

So in my experience I found when I took a little more care, not mic'ing them, but making them all very close to the same length, my chains seemed to be closer in the cut to the old mans.

 

[Modifiedmark]

I try to keep em close to the same length, it's better that way, but if there off a little no biggie.

I have hand filed for longer than I want to think about so I can useally do a good job, but now its getting harder to see up close, so it's a new challange.

If I get a really screwed up one I just put it on my Tecomec Jolly Star grinder and put the set back in it.

I still give em a stroke with the file when I'm done grinding them.

 

[Dok]

When I put the saws away for the winter I run all the chains through the grinder and I do mic the cutter lengths when I flip the chain and set the stop. It is sometimes surprising how off some of the cutters are. Hard to say how much it helps because I don't use the saws for a about three months afterwards. I just consider this part of maintaining my saws. The rest of the year I hand file unless I rock a chain.
Dok

 

[Gologit]

Bowtie...you are a trouble maker.

:hmm3grin2orange: All because of your post I just spent an hour out in the shop...mic'ing a chain.

I have two Oregon chains for the 660-36". They're both the same age and have about the same amount of wear and have always been hand filed.

Tomorrow morning I have to clear a road of some big fir that blew down today. I'll run the old chain for half the job then switch to the mic'd one.

I'll let you know if one is really different from the other but I don't think I'll be making a habit of mic'ing chains. What a PITA.

 

[Bowtie]

:hmm3grin2orange: All because of your post I just spent an hour out in the shop...mic'ing a chain.

I have two Oregon chains for the 660-36". They're both the same age and have about the same amount of wear and have always been hand filed.

Tomorrow morning I have to clear a road of some big fir that blew down today. I'll run the old chain for half the job then switch to the mic'd one.

I'll let you know if one is really different from the other but I don't think I'll be making a habit of mic'ing chains. What a PITA.

LOLOL, it is damn time consuming! The only reason I did it was it was a hybrid chain from two near new Stihl chains that were spun for a Husqvarna saw, then rocked out and given to me. I agree, Im not mic'ing every chain!

 

[Metals406]

How picky and what methods do you all use to check cutter length on your chains? I took 2 abused Stihl chains that were 66 drive link count and broke them and spun them up for my 28" bar for my 064. I used the grinder at work to take the rocked out part off the cutter, knowing i was going to hand file them later to my liking.

Today I was goofing off in the shop after stacking a bunch of wood for next year, so I put that chain back on the 064 and got out my digital caliper and started checking cutter lengths. The longest was 8.51mm. The shortest was 7.36mm. I filed the shortest to 7.30, and continued on around until I had all within .03mm. I dont usually get near that picky,but I wasnt in any hurry to do ANYTHING today, lol. I usually count strokes, or eyeball it if the chain is in good shape. It took me damn near an hour to get the one 28" chain as near perfect as I could get it.

An hour is about par for me on my 28", if it got rocked out, or it's a brand new chain. I use an adjustable pocket wrench to keep my cutters within a few thousandths...

If I'm just touching up, it's a lot faster than a new rough in.

 

[Gologit]

An hour is about par for me on my 28", if it got rocked out, or it's a brand new chain. I use an adjustable pocket wrench to keep my cutters within a few thousandths...



If I'm just touching up, it's a lot faster than a new rough in.

Good idea.

 

[Metals406]

Good idea.

Thanks, but some ole timer showed me that trick... My dad.

 

[Bowtie]

Thats a good idea Metals, but my cheap little adj wrench that size dont ever hold adjustment, lol. I like that idea!

 

[Metals406]

Thats a good idea Metals, but my cheap little adj wrench that size dont ever hold adjustment, lol. I like that idea!

Well I'd say you need to buy a better wrench.

Look at the first two wrenches...

http://www.harryepstein.com/usaadjustables.htm

I need to order a new one too, the one I have now is old, and getting a bit loose.

 

[sawinredneck]

If you EVER use mm in another post I will drive back up there and kick your butt!!!!
I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!!!! It's America man!!!!!!

 

[Tree Sling'r]

:hmm3grin2orange: All because of your post I just spent an hour out in the shop...mic'ing a chain.

I have two Oregon chains for the 660-36". They're both the same age and have about the same amount of wear and have always been hand filed.

Tomorrow morning I have to clear a road of some big fir that blew down today. I'll run the old chain for half the job then switch to the mic'd one.

I'll let you know if one is really different from the other but I don't think I'll be making a habit of mic'ing chains. What a PITA.

You need to mail me a chain Bob, I will put it on the raker machine and the Pro-Sharp.

 

[Bowtie]

If you EVER use mm in another post I will drive back up there and kick your butt!!!!

LOL, sorry, I went to school when they were forcing the metric system down our throats, so I am ok with either. Plus, in bridge construction, we did survey work using metric, standard, and english...what a PITA!

This is the chain I showed you on my 064 Andy, (please dont tell everyone how terrible I am with a grinder...LOL). It looks great now, damn well better cut well for the time I spent trying to be a perfectionist.

 

[Gologit]

You need to mail me a chain Bob, I will put it on the raker machine and the Pro-Sharp.

No way!!!!!!! You'd send me back a perfectly sharpened, totally balanced, razor sharp chain. And I'd run it. And I'd like it. And my hand-filed chains would suddenly seem totally useless by comparison. And I'd start looking for the catalog, the one with all the grinders in it, and I'd buy one. And since I was getting a grinder I'd probably talk myself into a raker machine too. And some extra wheels. Nope, no thanks. That one little chain could wind up costing me a bundle.

I sold my last grinder a couple of years ago when I was trying to kick the logging addiction. I was going to just flat get out of the business. Oh well. I really don't do enough cutting anymore to justify buying another one...and if I keep telling myself that I'll have a little more money to spend on that new 660.

Got any snow up there?

 

[guff]

is it really that big a deal? a bud rocked a brand new chain for me on the 026 last winter. i just filed till each was sharp. some were longer than others. after i filed the rakers with the oregon gauge. i figured if the rakers are set to each pair of teeth then they should take the same size bite, right?

right on bro....with the work and time, oil, gas, involved in firewood....u really don't make nothing selling it.....why would u sharpen every tooth down to the lowest tooth and take that much more life off of a chain that we all pay good money for.....run ur chain and sharpen like usual to catch up with that lowest tooth.....thats what i do....i'll let someone else in town have the sexiest straightest woodpile i figured if the rakers are set to each pair of teeth then they should take the same size bite, right? [/QUOTE] i figured on a snug chain.....is the lowest tooth, really doing all that much cutting?depth gauges are set per tooth, so if u have the lowest tooth?....is it really cutting at all?..........something like that.....who's our resident chain expert?