File guides - measurements

[precaud]

Along with increasing the saw population in my household, this site has gotten me into the habit of looking at chainsaw-related stuff to see it it really is what it claims.

So... file guides, the ones with the indent to place the file on the tooth so that the recommended 10-20% of the file is above the top plate, to give the correct cutting angle. I have two of them, one Stihl, one Oregon, here's what they measure in at.

Stihl guide for 5/32" file:
indent .035" divided by .156" file dia. = 22.4%

Oregon guide for 7/32" file:
indent .059" divided by .218" file dia. = 27%

Neither of these guides are going to give the proper cutting angle. Examining the chains I've sharpened with them, I see that the angle is definitely less than spec.

What do you have, and what does it measure?

 

[Lakeside53]

I use the stihl and never have a problem...

 

[precaud]

Yes, but that wasn't the question.... what do you have, and what are it's measurements?

 

[jhellwig]

I use the stihl guide and it always seam to give me the right angle whenever I check it. Close enough for me anyways.

Maybe your rakers are not where they should be. That has lots to do with file hight.

 

[precaud]

No, rakers have nothing to do with file height on a guide that references off the top plate.

 

[scottr]

Are you talking about the file guide that one side rests on top of the tooth and the other side rests on top of the raker ?

 

[Lakeside53]

Yes, but that wasn't the question.... what do you have, and what are it's measurements?

I have no idea what the measurements are, but it's the Stihl guide, and I have 4 of them with for the different size chains/files etc... Use them everyday..

 

[precaud]

Are you talking about the file guide that one side rests on top of the tooth and the other side rests on top of the raker ?

No, like this one:
http://www.amickssuperstore.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=Oregon+31686

 

[scottr]

No, like this one:
http://www.amickssuperstore.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=Oregon+31686

I have two file guides like that and one side rides on top of the tooth and the other side rides on top of the raker . You need to read the instructions .

 

[precaud]

Hmmm... the one I bought years ago didn't have instructions, I've been riding it on the top plate, perpendicular to the chain. Tipping one side down to the raker would ride the file lower.. I'll give it a shot.

And here I thought my hand filing jobs worked so well...

 

[Bowtie]

Ok, what do you all think of the file jigs with degree angles? I just bought a cheapy Oregon to try out, and I love it. Now that I have grown accustomed to it, Im thinking about buying a Granberg or a Stihl jig of presumably better quality.

 

[scottr]

Hmmm... the one I bought years ago didn't have instructions, I've been riding it on the top plate, perpendicular to the chain. Tipping one side down to the raker would ride the file lower.. I'll give it a shot.

And here I thought my hand filing jobs worked so well...

They will be getting better with a little more hook .

 

[Lakeside53]

Ok, what do you all think of the file jigs with degree angles? I just bought a cheapy Oregon to try out, and I love it. Now that I have grown accustomed to it, Im thinking about buying a Granberg or a Stihl jig of presumably better quality.

I like the Stihl better - the Oregon always get loose and fly apart under pressure. I assume we're talking about the $9 file guide?

 

[tawilson]

Hmmm... the one I bought years ago didn't have instructions, I've been riding it on the top plate, perpendicular to the chain. Tipping one side down to the raker would ride the file lower.. I'll give it a shot.

And here I thought my hand filing jobs worked so well...

I only use the guide you're talking about every 3rd or 4th filing. And I can't imagine how to do it without riding on the depth gauge and tooth. And I believe, depending on chain, come in at a -10% angle instead of perpendicular. And if your hand filing jobs work so well, why do you want to change?

 

[SawTroll]

I use the Husky etc roller guides, when I use guides, and think they are great at getting the file at the correct hight.

They are made for different types of Oregon chain, and you have to modify them slightly to get the best result on Stihl chain.
I have never tried them on Carlton chain, so I don't know how well they work on those.

 

[precaud]

And if your hand filing jobs work so well, why do you want to change?

There's always room for improvement, eh?

 

[scottr]

Instructions

Precaud , I tried to find the instructions on the back of the file holder package but it's not stated to place the holder on the tooth and the raker . Then I went to oregons website and couldn't find it there . I finally found it on page 16 of the old 1989 poulan chainsaw operators manual and it shows a sideview of the tooth with the file holder on the tooth and the raker .

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

It's a curious system because the raker gage sits on the tops of two cutters, and the file gage sits on the cutter and the raker. Which ever you do first will be off when you do the other.

If the rakers are too high, it gives the round file too high a setting, but if you do the rakers first they sit on the cutters so then they will be too high. It's a viscous circle.

If you do them both twice, you get real close.

 

[scottr]

Mike , could this be a conspiracy to sell more chain ?

 

[tawilson]

It's a curious system because the raker gage sits on the tops of two cutters, and the file gage sits on the cutter and the raker. Which ever you do first will be off when you do the other.

If the rakers are too high, it gives the round file too high a setting, but if you do the rakers first they sit on the cutters so then they will be too high. It's a viscous circle.

If you do them both twice, you get real close.

Sounds like a conundrum to me.