I Think I Mastered Hand Sharpening

[GA_Boy]

Took down an Oak tree for a friend of my brothers today. I found these chips laying on the ground by the stump. I may have gotten the rakers a little low because it was grabbing so hard when i was flushing off the stump that the chain would stop in the cut. It's still usable though, just takes a little finesse with the 24" bar buried.

I was very close to buying one of them Oregon 511AX sharpeners but i think i'll keep that 350 bills in my pocket.

A couple things i learned; one, wear gloves when sharpening and two, toss dull files and switch to a new one.

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/?action=view&amp;current=100_1839.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/100_1839.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/?action=view&amp;current=100_1852.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/100_1852.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Barely bumped the chain as i was sharpening and got this, that's when you know your chain is sharp.

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/?action=view&amp;current=100_1856.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/100_1856.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The scouting rig and my prized 372XPW.

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/?action=view&amp;current=100_1762.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/100_1762.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[indiansprings]

Yep, it looks like you are getting it down. Now just focus on consistency. I'm guilty of just eyeballing the rakers as well, every once in a while I get them a li'l low. They next time you file the chain it'll prolly be smooth. Keep up the good work. A sharp chain is the best way to get the most out of your saw. I have a grinder but seldom use it, only on a rocked out chain. Hand filing gets them the sharpest imho.

 

[Fish]

Your bar is on upside down!

Was your cuts cross grain, or with the grain???

 

[Fish]

Show us better pics of your cutters, or at least your aaaavvvvaaattaaaaar....

We should be able to focus better.

 

[troutfisher]

Them's some big curly fries it's making! and that is a great Avatar:msp_w00t:

 

[Anthony_Va.]

Yep, it looks like you are getting it down. Now just focus on consistency. I'm guilty of just eyeballing the rakers as well, every once in a while I get them a li'l low. They next time you file the chain it'll prolly be smooth. Keep up the good work. A sharp chain is the best way to get the most out of your saw. I have a grinder but seldom use it, only on a rocked out chain. Hand filing gets them the sharpest imho.

I agree. No need for grinding unless you rock or (wire) the chain. Consistency is the main thing. If you can keep your angles right, your cutters the same length, and your rakers right and even then you'll have a good sharp chain. I can sharpen a chain with the best of them if I take my time and do it. I always sharpen them on the saw. I like to stand my saw up on the rear handle and file with both hands. Right side, left hand and then left side, right hand. Once you get used to using your off hand it's a very good method of filing.

Eyeballing the rakers? Yea, I do that too. I still havent bought a good raker gauge but I can usually get them good until I hit them 4-5 times. After that they can get uneven sometimes.

Those chips look like noodles? Did you get them cross-cutting? I like a good wide square chip. Thats when you know she's good and sharp.

BTW: Like the prized 372xpw alot. I have one too and love it. Great saw!

 

[sachsmo]

Them's some big curly fries it's making! and that is a great Avatar:msp_w00t:

#


Yep, Gotta love Miss Vida, I would know that back side any where.

 

[Mad Professor]

How'd you do it?

I've only been learning 38 years, on all kinds of chains, many on CSMs, and I'm still not a "master".

 

[sachsmo]

How'd you do it?

I've only been learning 38 years, on all kinds of chains, many on CSMs, and I'm still not a "master".

Try changing your avitar.

 

[Mad Professor]

Try changing your avitar.

What file do you recommend?

Maybe a grinder or three???

 

[sachsmo]

What file do you recommend?Maybe a grinder or three???

I like Save edge files, but have used Oregon too. Hows about this for an avitar?

 

[Mad Professor]

I wouldn't grind her with your file.

Silicone is a real turn off.

 

[stihl 440]

I agree. No need for grinding unless you rock or (wire) the chain. Consistency is the main thing. If you can keep your angles right, your cutters the same length, and your rakers right and even then you'll have a good sharp chain. I can sharpen a chain with the best of them if I take my time and do it. I always sharpen them on the saw. I like to stand my saw up on the rear handle and file with both hands. Right side, left hand and then left side, right hand. Once you get used to using your off hand it's a very good method of filing.

Eyeballing the rakers? Yea, I do that too. I still havent bought a good raker gauge but I can usually get them good until I hit them 4-5 times. After that they can get uneven sometimes.

Those chips look like noodles? Did you get them cross-cutting? I like a good wide square chip. Thats when you know she's good and sharp.

BTW: Like the prized 372xpw alot. I have one too and love it. Great saw!

Once the top of the rakers get shiny take them down.

 

[GA_Boy]

I actually did use a depth gauge, i guess i went a hair or two too low. It's not noticeable though until the bar is buried in 20+ inches of oak.

Your bar is on upside down!

Was your cuts cross grain, or with the grain???

Oh that's with the grain, I didn't do any noodling on that tree. There were plenty of square chips but i noticed the curlies in the pile.

How'd you do it?

I've only been learning 38 years, on all kinds of chains, many on CSMs, and I'm still not a "master".

That was just a figure of speech i guess, not a "master" cause there's always someone out there that can do anything better that me or you but i think i got it fairly down pat.

Show us better pics of your cutters, or at least your aaaavvvvaaattaaaaar....

We should be able to focus better.

in case you've never tried, trying to take clear pictures of a chain tooth is a serious PITA!!!!

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/?action=view&amp;current=100_1859.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/100_1859.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/?action=view&amp;current=100_1874.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/100_1874.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/?action=view&amp;current=100_1875.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/Wood%20Chips/100_1875.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/?action=view&amp;current=vida1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/vida1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[mtngun]

Yes, it is tough to take good close-ups of chain.

Rakers look a bit high to me. Though it mostly looks like a new chain.

 

[xdmp22]

don't know how much you guys know about photography, but find the "macro" setting on your camera

my phone camera has one that works fairly well, and both my kodak and canon do alot better

here is a few macro'd with my phone from an earlier thread

 

[Gypo Logger]

The threads about filing are always good. The trick is to never settle for a meadiokre cutting chain. Although a chain may appear to be sharp, it will always cut better if you consider uniform chip flow. Since a round filed cutter is hollow, continue the uniformity to the back of the raker in the shape of a tobbagan. This can be done with the last stroke of the file. Any high spots in the gullet just impedes chip flow. As mentioned, never settle for a dull file.
John
BTW, love the gal with the hungry bum. Lol

 

[Rudolf73]

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/?action=view&amp;current=vida1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/-Scar-Face/vida1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Nice jeep GA boy!

 

[Currently]

Jeep? What Jeep? :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[GA_Boy]

Nice jeep GA boy!

Thanks! I like to wax it 'bout 3 or 4 times a week.