I finally assembled the necessaries to resurrect this "illustrated guide" to filing saw chain depth gauges with Granberg "File-N-Joint". Because it's so simple and so generally necessary. Again, kibitzing is welcome.
We assume that the file guide is set up to hold the common ~9" overall round files, with ~7" cutting length. Given that, an 8" overall fine flat file with ~5.5" cutting length will drop right in to the holder.
Using Granberg guide regularly to touch up cutters, and cutting clean wood only, depth gauges will need filing seldom, maybe every 6-10 filings. Each tooth filing can take 2 strokes.
1. Clamping guide to saw bar. Leave guide in place after filing cutters. Or rehashing clamping, clamp sheet-metal to pinch cutter on tops of rivets. Tighten body clamp high enough to allow cutters to pass through clamp.
2. Set up angles. Set all angles to zero deg.- so file is perpendicular to bar, and sits flat to bar. Set fore&aft flatness with knurled screw shown just above file in picture. Now to set ht and chain stop.
3. Set height of file. Position file above a tooth. Using screw at rear of guide marked "raise lower" raise file clear of tooth. Lower until in just "kisses" the tooth. Each "bump" on this adjuster is .010" up/down. From initial setting lower the file .025-.030" per chain specs/wood type, without filing a tooth, obviously.
4. Position chain for filing depth gauges. Set sheet-metal chain stop into the gullet against the backside of a depth gauge. This will protect the teeth from the file also. File the depth gauge- couple of strokes will do it. File all the depth gauges. Done.
After all depth gauges are done, remove the file from the guide, and round over the leading edges
of the depth gauges as required. Adjust the stop that limits the movement of the file carriage
along the bar- set it out of the way by turning it clockwise- it's really only useful for setting
depth gauges, not for setting cutter lengths.
Hoping this helps others to find out just how simple it is to use this tool.
This particular "File-N-Joint" tool has been in use for 35+ years.
A thank-you to Nikkor 18-55 mm DX kit lens on d3100 and Polaroid 2-diopter close-up adapter.
We assume that the file guide is set up to hold the common ~9" overall round files, with ~7" cutting length. Given that, an 8" overall fine flat file with ~5.5" cutting length will drop right in to the holder.
Using Granberg guide regularly to touch up cutters, and cutting clean wood only, depth gauges will need filing seldom, maybe every 6-10 filings. Each tooth filing can take 2 strokes.
1. Clamping guide to saw bar. Leave guide in place after filing cutters. Or rehashing clamping, clamp sheet-metal to pinch cutter on tops of rivets. Tighten body clamp high enough to allow cutters to pass through clamp.
2. Set up angles. Set all angles to zero deg.- so file is perpendicular to bar, and sits flat to bar. Set fore&aft flatness with knurled screw shown just above file in picture. Now to set ht and chain stop.
3. Set height of file. Position file above a tooth. Using screw at rear of guide marked "raise lower" raise file clear of tooth. Lower until in just "kisses" the tooth. Each "bump" on this adjuster is .010" up/down. From initial setting lower the file .025-.030" per chain specs/wood type, without filing a tooth, obviously.
4. Position chain for filing depth gauges. Set sheet-metal chain stop into the gullet against the backside of a depth gauge. This will protect the teeth from the file also. File the depth gauge- couple of strokes will do it. File all the depth gauges. Done.
After all depth gauges are done, remove the file from the guide, and round over the leading edges
of the depth gauges as required. Adjust the stop that limits the movement of the file carriage
along the bar- set it out of the way by turning it clockwise- it's really only useful for setting
depth gauges, not for setting cutter lengths.
Hoping this helps others to find out just how simple it is to use this tool.
This particular "File-N-Joint" tool has been in use for 35+ years.
A thank-you to Nikkor 18-55 mm DX kit lens on d3100 and Polaroid 2-diopter close-up adapter.
and searched for a replacement which I found at Lowes. Used it once and now need another Granberg. Does anyone know if the Stihl one is any good. The Granberg I had was given to me by my father which was purchased I believe in the early 80's. Are the current ones the same quality?
