File life

[Tree Machine]

Be like Mike!

I tried the file in the straw idea and it seemed to work ok, until...I had a soda! Did you ever have a 3/16" file stuck in the back of your throat???

Hmmmm. Cola drinks are acidic because of the phosphoric acid, and to a lesser degree citric. Drop a tarnished penny in soda overnight and you get a shiny penny in the morning. Don't know how it would work on a file, but I'll give it a try for fun.

Mebbe the vinegar trick will work with Vanilla Pepsi. Just don't try it like Mike Maas or you might gargle and get soda down the front of you.

 

[woodshop]

That is known as filing you files,so to speak.Good idea,I wish I could be as organized .

Thanks Al, but I am organized out of pure nececity. If I was not, my little house of cards starts to fall apart quickly. I'm the kind of guy that forgets how many ounces of mix oil to add from one gallon to the next unless I paint the number on the gas jug. In my woodshop when it comes to setups for my tools and jigs, I write down everything and keep it handy or I reinvent the wheel every time. Just the way I am.
Dave

 

[Crofter]

Treemachine, you are risking being sued by the Maas man giving advice like that. He is apt to choke on one of them shiny new pennies. Justlike telling a kid not to stick beans in their noses!

 

[Tree Machine]

He's not able to reply because he's got his tongue stuck to a frozen pole.

 

[Al Smith]

Oranization,a good thing

I have seen some very interesting ideas on this thread.One thing,is the fact that everybody is more organized than myself .Lack of same,is one of my many faults.In my shop.I have 15,triple stacked tool boxes,literally thousands of drill bits,lathe tools,milling cutters,and the list goes on and on.I am constantly looking for something,and can't find it,because I didn't put it away.I have attempted to devise a plan for better organization,but have not been successful,in the long run.I think I need to hire an inventory type person,or have a sale and start over.

 

[woodshop]

I have seen some very interesting ideas on this thread.One thing,is the fact that everybody is more organized than myself .Lack of same,is one of my many faults.In my shop.I have 15,triple stacked tool boxes,literally thousands of drill bits,lathe tools,milling cutters,and the list goes on and on.I am constantly looking for something,and can't find it,because I didn't put it away.I have attempted to devise a plan for better organization,but have not been successful,in the long run.I think I need to hire an inventory type person,or have a sale and start over.

Al... let me come to work for you, but my pay would be letting me learn from your years of experience tinkering with stuff. This is what your drawer of bits would look like after I got through with them...

 

[Crofter]

Woodshop, that is sickening! Al I know what you mean. I dont be so disorganized when I am working for someone else, but I would be ashamed lots of times at the shambles I have around me when I am working at home. I think in kids nowadays they call it ADD-----attention deficit disorder; maybe I need a shot of Ritalin!

 

[Tree Machine]

Woodshop, you rock ! I suffer much the same as Mr Smith and Crofter, an accumulator and keeper of tools and hardware of all sorts, an avid user of the stuff, but organizationally challenged.

My tree care system is fabulously organized, as that's how I make my living. The garage/workshop, though, I think I need counselling, or a self-help therapy group or something.

 

[Grateful11]

I've been working as a Machinist/CNC Programmer for over 20 years and one thing some of the older guys used to do to prolong a files life was to put blackboard chalk on a file. Seems it kept it from loading up. I've tried it on flat files and it seems to help but I've never tried it on a chainsaw file. I usually get better than 20 sharpenings with a Pferd file but I will use it until it quits cutting. Stihl chain has always seems to be harder than anyone elses for some reason. Actually had a few that a file wouldn't even cut.
Grateful11

BTW: If you have a flat file that is really loaded up with filings that a file card/brush won't remove, you can take a piece of 1/2"x1/2"x6" keystock and force a corner of it into a file sliding it back and forth on the same angle as the teeth until you have the profile of the file teeth in the keystock. Then just move over a little each time and it will push almost any filings out of a file, even aluminum which is nearly impossible to remove with a file card.

 

[Al Smith]

Strange as it seems,I am not a slob in the house.I guess it's just a matter of priorities.Would you believe it took me several attempts to find my vacuum pump,to work on a heat pump.Now how could I have lost that,I asked myself?Oh yea,the files.I had heard of the acid thing,but have used a soft power brush,to renew,or clean them out.This works,also.Do you have any idea how many different types of files there are?The last bunch of saw files,I got from Jeff S.,in Indiana,and they are dandy Swedish made ones.I do have 3 dozen 1/4" files,and only one saw with 1/2" chain.They should last a while.I must have about 100 other types and sizes.This happens when you hold your hand up too long at an auction sale.

 

[Stumper]

Butch, You can successfully file a chain for its entire life with one size file. On my climbing saw that is what happens-5/32 all the way through. On standard 3/8ths most people use a 7/32nds-Which works well for the first half of the tooth but 3/16ths will work better after the halfway point-esp. the last third. Stihl sells a 13/64ths file for 3/8ths which splits the difference and works nicely-but a 3/16ths still works best for the last few filings. Set a 7/32nds file in an almost used up tooth-- Even if the gullets have been cleaned out nicely all the way to the bottom the file still sits high on the tooth and, while it will get it sharp, the angle will be blunter than optimum.

 

[Mange]

Mike, use the ones that bend, then I think you will be fine

 

[gunrac]

Well guys, it's like everything else. There are files, and there are quality files. I found what I would consider a good quality file. A German company called KETTENSAGEFEILEN makes a quality file. They seem to go a lot longer then most files. My local saw shop guy carries them. If you come across this, give it a try. There is nothing worse then hitting a rock or concrete with a 32" bar. [ I do mostly residential work ] I have hit about anything you can imagine in the heart of a tree. Myself, I'm getting to the point of disliking just about anything with a handle. I try an keep several extra chains in the truck, file at home with my grinder. I'd sure like to have a nickle for every tooth I've filed in the field.


My neighbors call me the TREE DUDE

OPPS GUESSED THIS ONE WAS MENTIONED

 

[Blowdown1]

12-step program

Woodshop, you rock ! I suffer much the same as Mr Smith and Crofter, an accumulator and keeper of tools and hardware of all sorts, an avid user of the stuff, but organizationally challenged.

My tree care system is fabulously organized, as that's how I make my living. The garage/workshop, though, I think I need counselling, or a self-help therapy group or something.
__________________
-TM-

Maybe we need a 12-step program. Hi, my name is Jake and my workshop is so disorganized I can't find the tape measure I just had 5 minutes ago.

 

[Tree Machine]

(everybody) Hello Jake !

 

[belgian]

Well guys, it's like everything else. There are files, and there are quality files. I found what I would consider a good quality file. A German company called KETTENSAGEFEILEN makes a quality file. They seem to go a lot longer then most files.


Since I've joined this forum a few weeks ago, I learned a lot from you guys. Same with this thread.

Treedude, "Kettensägefeilen" is german for 'Chainsaw files'. It is not a brand as such, I believe. You should check for 'Pferd' , Stihl, ...or other brand.

 

[Tree Machine]

Pferd are my favorites. I don't really go out of my way to source them, but when I use them i feel like they're a better file.

Hi Belgian. Welcome to the forum. Very glad to have you here.

 

[belgian]

Treemachine,

thanks for your comment. Like I said, joined a few weeks ago and I've become a chainsaw addict since.

Proud owner of Stihl MS 361, Husky 136, and since last week Stihl ms 200.

By the way, Pferd is a reputed manufacturer of all kind of professional abrasives and tools in Europe, and stands for excellent quality. No surprises with these guys.

 

[woodshop]

Maybe we need a 12-step program. Hi, my name is Jake and my workshop is so disorganized I can't find the tape measure I just had 5 minutes ago.

blowdown I'm cracking up here... I would be the first one to join the group... lest anybody get the idea that I'm a neat freak that carefully folds his toilet paper before wiping... here is the other side of the coin. This is SUPPOSED to be where I crosscut wood with a radial arm saw... but after I rape my shop by grabbing and using tools and not putting things away this is how it looks. In fact, I usually don't clean up after myself in the shop till it gets critical... I am either stumbling over wood cuttoffs and scraps on the floor or am spending much more time finding a tool than actually using it. Then I bite the bullet and attempt to clean up, if only so I can get something done.

btw, I have a few files in Muriatic acid now... can't wait to see this work.

Dave

 

[tawilson]

While I was throwing some files away a couple of days ago I was wondering whether the files were plugged up or worn down, then came this thread. For a scientifical experiment, I dug the files out of the waste can and stuck them in some lacquer thinner just cause that's what I had sitting there. I ran a brush up and down them and stuck a magnet in the bottom and sure enough, a nice little pile of metal shavings stuck to it. To complete my experiment, I then commenced to sharpening some blades with these files and yes they worked again. Not as good as new but not ready for the garbage either. I guess I'll keep a can of some solvent around to keep my files clean. Be careful with muriatic acid, that stuff is potent.
And concerning my shop, I don't have time to be organized.