File-O-Plate

[Elmore]

I recently got a Carlton File-O-Plate #37509. Item # 65986. It is to be used on an Oregon 72LP chain. The specs on that chain call for a 25 degree top-plate filing angle but the File-O-Plate shows a 30 degree angle. What the hey. Any recommendations?
<img src="http://onlinestore.forestindustry.com/ic/4.61/baileys/images/items/891.jpg">

 

[jp hallman]

Use the "File-O-Plate" at whatever degree it is. The steeper the angle the faster the cut. Less, is longer lasting sharpness. Unless you're felling trees, 5 degrees won't make that big of difference. File-O-Plate's is the standard by which things is done in the woods. How did Carlton ever come up with such a nifty tool?

 

[16gauge]

I recently got a Carlton File-O-Plate #37509. Item # 65986. It is to be used on an Oregon 72LP chain. The specs on that chain call for a 25 degree top-plate filing angle but the File-O-Plate shows a 30 degree angle. What the hey. Any recommendations?
<img src="http://onlinestore.forestindustry.com/ic/4.61/baileys/images/items/891.jpg">

Nice picture! Let us all know how it works as is. Can you really follow the guide? How many hands does this take?

 

[trimmmed]

Elmore, that is the correct plate and the angle should match the hash marks on that chain, regardless or what angle they have printed on there. Happy filing!

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

JP is right, you can file any angle you want. Sharper angles will cut slightly faster but loose some staysharp. A sharper topplate angle will also cause the cutter to pull slightly to the outside as it works, imparting slightly more wear to the chain and bar. Blunter angles will last slightly longer in dirty wood. I would be surprised if you could tell the difference in the wood from a 5 degree top plate angle change.

 

[Chainsaw Master]

I've always set the angle and hook to the wood I am cutting, the softer the wood the more angle, and hook, the harder the wood, less angle and less hook. For example..... Cutting cedar I set the angle @ 35-45 deg, with a good cresent of hook, while cutting oak or maple, I set it at 30-35 deg, with hardly any hook. Frozen or dry hardwood the angle can be set @ 25 deg.

 

[Elmore]

Oregon 72LP & File-O-Plate...

don't seem to work well together. Not enough file depth in the cutter. The plate causes the file to ride too high. I had to go back to free hand to get the chain to cut.

 

[Elmore]

Elmore you file like a grafter!

That tooth looks hopelessly wrong. (it could be my eyes)

Watch it there...actually using the plate I feel that I was filing like a Hosta divider, heh heh. Yes that tooth is wrong. The plate keeps the file riding up too high. 7/32 file...rides too high.
I took the file to it without the guide and it throws chips. I still need to hit it a lick to get the cutters back the way that they should be. Heck, this chain has witness marks what do I need a file guide for? To control depth of the file...right?

 

[trimmmed]

don't seem to work well together. Not enough file depth in the cutter. The plate causes the file to ride too high. I had to go back to free hand to get the chain to cut.

You either have the wrong plate or are setting it up wrong, it works real good for me on 72LP, lemme find mine and check the #

 

[trimmmed]

The pic looks right #37509 :bang:

 

[hydro2]

I bought one for a .325 chain and can't get it to fit over the rakers on some of my Carlton chain. It will fit on the Woodsman Pro NK without the bumpers. I noticed on the package that there are two models listed for .325, but Bailey's only has one and it says "fits all .325 chain"

 

[bwalker]

For Oregon chain you really cant beat their roller file guides.
FWIW I recently bought a file-o-plate and and a loop of woodsman pro chain. The woodsman pro chain out of the box cut slower than Oregon LG and the fil-o-plate was slower to use than the roller guide.

 

[hydro2]

For Oregon chain you really cant beat their roller file guides.
FWIW I recently bought a file-o-plate and and a loop of woodsman pro chain. The woodsman pro chain out of the box cut slower than Oregon LG and the fil-o-plate was slower to use than the roller guide.

Yea I have a roller guide by Husky and a Speed Sharp Tecomec grinder, but always trying out new things. Not real thrilled with the File-plate yet. Thought it would be nice for doing the rakers. I suppose it would be, if it fit them.

 

[Elmore]

Yeah, #37509. Looking at it now there looks like a faint 1, 7 or some mark right after the period behind "NO" but after that it is clearly stamped 37509. Maybe the plate is a reject...it was a freebie. I'll see about posting a picture or two. Perhaps I am filing at more than a 10 degree angle but even if at closer to a 90 degree angle it seems like the file is riding too high on the cutter. Using this guide, I feel like a girlish old man dividing Hosta clumps...heh heh

<img src="http://www.homefrontmagazine.com/images/farmchick.jpg">

 

[Elmore]

Here are a couple of pics (not so good). Can you see a slight mark, like a 1 or a 7, after the "NO." Maybe it's a conspiracy to eat up my Oregon chain. They want me to buy a Carlton...maybe.

 

[WadePatton]

"File O" Came with my Carlton Chain. My two "local" Jonny dealers prefer Carlton, so I use it. Toward the end of the chains life I learned (here) to use a smaller file to get some hook.

My complaint with the FOP is that it's not easy to hold onto with an ungloved hand. I rarely wear gloves. (OH GOSH --now we'll have the "Who don't wear gloves while working on a chain?" thread)

Wait a minute, is your File Plate flat? Mine has two 90-degree bends in it. Wait another minute. (I went and got it.) This thing is and "E-Z FILE" maybe that's different. Dang. It's #325-030-30-TFP, which I think translates to pitch/TPangle/raker depth all for 3/16 file.

Would like to try the roller type, but Lowe's had it all packaged up with a bunch of crap I don't need. Who sells a roller guide by its lonesome?

Just got a Granberg clamp-on sharpener. That's pretty sweet- gullets and cutters and hooks OH MY!

 

[WadePatton]

Here are a couple of pics (not so good).

There should be a setting on you camera for close-ups. It's usually a symbol of a flower. The mountain symbol is the other position--for regular photography. The "flower" position should let the camera focus on stuff right up to the lens.

OR shoot it at regular distance, focused and on maximum resolution, then crop and enlarge.

HTH

 

[Elmore]

For Oregon chain you really cant beat their roller file guides.
FWIW I recently bought a file-o-plate and and a loop of woodsman pro chain. The woodsman pro chain out of the box cut slower than Oregon LG and the fil-o-plate was slower to use than the roller guide.

Thanks Ben but Oregon says that they don't make one. Just the asembled jig type and a clamp on guide. I'm about to go buy a Stihl chain to augment my Super 70. What set up do you recommend to hand file both the Stihl RAPID™ Super (RS) and the Oregon SUPER 70?

 

[rb_in_va]

Here are a couple of pics (not so good).

Brad,
You take pics like a grafter too!

 

[a_lopa]

there great for setting the rakers perfect