How many sharpenings do you get per file?
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I have no idea...never tracked it. If I had to guess...I would say 3-5 average sharpenings on my 28" full comp full chisel chain. More if I don't hit anything and only have to touch up. Less if I rock the hell out of it a couple times.
I buy them by the dozen and when it doesn't cut, I toss it and grab a new one. I can't stand filing with a dull file. Remember to spin it as you go. My time is worth more than the file...so if it's not cutting, I'm not wasting my time with it.
I buy them by the dozen and when it doesn't cut, I toss it and grab a new one. I can't stand filing with a dull file. Remember to spin it as you go. My time is worth more than the file...so if it's not cutting, I'm not wasting my time with it.
Hey ERC!
There was a similar thread a week or 2 ago on the site. However, I happened to be thinking of this same thing a few days ago when replacing my used files.... For the 3/8 Stihl chains I can probably file 20 - 30 chains (depending on cutter count). As soon as they stop cutting freely, I pop them into a tin for recycling!
I look at it this way... my grinder wheels cost me about $140 (after shipping and import taxes). For that price I can buy more than 100 files... And I can use my files in the field! As stated in the other thread - each time I visit the chainsaw store, I buy one or 2 files....
I find myself only using my grinder for customers who bring in 20 or more chains at a time. I now prefer cutting only with hand-filed chains....
Hope this helps.
Mike
There was a similar thread a week or 2 ago on the site. However, I happened to be thinking of this same thing a few days ago when replacing my used files.... For the 3/8 Stihl chains I can probably file 20 - 30 chains (depending on cutter count). As soon as they stop cutting freely, I pop them into a tin for recycling!
I look at it this way... my grinder wheels cost me about $140 (after shipping and import taxes). For that price I can buy more than 100 files... And I can use my files in the field! As stated in the other thread - each time I visit the chainsaw store, I buy one or 2 files....
I find myself only using my grinder for customers who bring in 20 or more chains at a time. I now prefer cutting only with hand-filed chains....
Hope this helps.
Mike
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4 or 5 really good ones. After that it gets harder and harder to do a quality sharpening without a lot of effort.
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/how-long-do-files-last-you.360171/
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/how-long-do-files-last-you.360171/
I use a Dremel with diamond stones I done that for years. The new recipe just this year is honing oil so far, I really like the results. I did some hand filing with a file years ago I hated it. My hands would hurt I was ready to chuck the file after one sharping. I have heard of people one new file would last the life of a chain I would never come close to that.
about 2 high quality files per 20" chain if the chain is softer, 3 if its a harder one
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What I've learned here is I must not be changing files often enough. I feel like the Pferd German files last ages.
Are 2-3 files per chain for a German file or a Chinese file??
Are 2-3 files per chain for a German file or a Chinese file??
really depends on quality of the chain, Oregoon never wore out a file(granted this is partly because I despise Oregon chains, and am more likely to chuck the chain in the bin then to sharpen it... but still), Stihl a few weeks, using quality files of course. Pferd, Nicolson, Simmonds, buy junk tools expect junk results.
Saw shop in town will burn up a file every day, they mostly grind chains but will hand finish for the discerning customer.
To get better life out of all files, they only cut on the push stroke, try to lift the file or at least reduce pressure on the pull stroke. Otherwise yer just whacking the back side of the teeth for no reason, often rounding them over and dulling the file.
Many variables to that question, but in general use a good brand I like Vallorbe , 2 to 4 chains depending on the chains teeth condition and how aggressively your filing but there’s nothing worse than using a dull file 
so fresh one always at the ready .
so fresh one always at the ready .
Backstage
ArboristSite Operative
No way! You mean 2-3 chains per file? Sure.
Also depends on how much you’re doing. a 2-3 stroke/tooth touchup or a 25 stroke fix.
So just for fun. Let’s say average 5 stroke/tooth for a sharpening pass. Average 80teeth/chain. Average 4 chains/file. 5*80*4=1600 strokes file life?
sand sock
ArboristSite Operative
i dont know if i have ever really worn out a round file. they may get broke, but usually its the flat file,from doing rakers and other jobs in the shop. that wears out. now i do have a few jigs i use regularly. maybe my original stihl file is getting thin, but still works good. my husky file set. that is probably the best cutter. i have ever seen. my 2n1 stihl i have been considering replacing the files on it pretty soon.
i wear through at least 1 chain every year , maybe i will hit 2 . i dont know how many times i sharpen a chain, but its about every other fill up and pushing 5 gallons of mix per year.. my stihl file jigs live in a 5 gallon bucket. my husky jig lives in my shops tool box, maybe i have another husky jig in a bucket.
i wear through at least 1 chain every year , maybe i will hit 2 . i dont know how many times i sharpen a chain, but its about every other fill up and pushing 5 gallons of mix per year.. my stihl file jigs live in a 5 gallon bucket. my husky jig lives in my shops tool box, maybe i have another husky jig in a bucket.
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You don't know until you replace it. Then it is obvious that it should have been tossed a long long time ago.
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsi Pop?
I was told never touch a file with your finger or hand the oils played apart.
Husky77
ArboristSite Operative
A file is a cutting tool that is grossly abused. I have seen so called "experts on youtube" tapping a file to clear of filings, that's ok but tap the end not the middle which has the cutting edge. I clean my files out when doing a chain with a file card... probably another name in other parts of the world but it's like a wire brush on a flat board.
Every chain has teeth that are harder or softer, if you havent noticed that yet you need to concentrate on your sharpening.
How long does a file last, ask any craftsman how long does the edge last on his plane or chisel and he will say depends on the wood..and will always touch up the cutting edge before it gets blunt!!
So my answer is, if your chain just needs to quick touch with a file then that file will last longer then the person who is hard on tools and let's the chain hit dirt or even stone. You may need two files to get that chain back to sharp. I always use top quality files and yes they do go dull, they still cut and we tend to keep going with a dull file just to get our money's worth. Then moan the file dont cut
that's how brands get a bad name but if you been in the game long enough you know the good from the not so good and bad. Just remember a blunt chain can kill your saw no matter what oil mix you use.
So keep your chains sharp and look after them cutting edges on ALL tools. Never throw a file into a pot on the bench, every time it hits another file it's doing damage. If you think all this is BS you have a lot to kearn
Every chain has teeth that are harder or softer, if you havent noticed that yet you need to concentrate on your sharpening.
How long does a file last, ask any craftsman how long does the edge last on his plane or chisel and he will say depends on the wood..and will always touch up the cutting edge before it gets blunt!!
So my answer is, if your chain just needs to quick touch with a file then that file will last longer then the person who is hard on tools and let's the chain hit dirt or even stone. You may need two files to get that chain back to sharp. I always use top quality files and yes they do go dull, they still cut and we tend to keep going with a dull file just to get our money's worth. Then moan the file dont cut
that's how brands get a bad name but if you been in the game long enough you know the good from the not so good and bad. Just remember a blunt chain can kill your saw no matter what oil mix you use. So keep your chains sharp and look after them cutting edges on ALL tools. Never throw a file into a pot on the bench, every time it hits another file it's doing damage. If you think all this is BS you have a lot to kearn
pferd and vallorbe files are what I use, 90% of what I cut is on the ground and dirty.
I never drag files backwards. Its not worth having my hand slip and hit a sharp tooth in the middle of nowhere when the file skates or spending extra time playing games figuring out what little section of the file is still sharp. The last thing I need is to reach for the files and their trash and im 30 minutes from home costing me time and gas money.
Husky77
ArboristSite Operative
We all been there cookies, I use vallorbe they seem the best, Oregon were good but the vallorbe is better. Oh the times I have cut my fingers on a chain and every time I know I am old enough to know better. I mostly sharpen these days in a vice as I dont cut that much these days, yes it does take longer but when the bar is off I clean it all and it's ready for next time, maintenance is my therapy
Plus 1 on that.
