My new MS460...comments and a question

[litefoot]

I indicated a week or so ago that I had bought a new MS460. I finally got to take it out yesterday. I dropped, limbed and bucked a couple of 50-60' lodepole pines for firewood. After using a 50cc saw all my life, I was a little concerned about handling the extra power, but I found the saw to be very manageable. I DID notice that extra weight however. Whew! But it sure is nice not having to work the saw so much to get through the larger rounds. Just let that big motor pull right through.

My question is one on sharpening the chain. I know (on paper) how to sharpen a chain with a round file, but in practice (which I have very little of) my efforts haven't been very good. What part of sharpening is the hardest to master? Is it holding a consistent angle throughout the stroke across the cutting edge? Is it applying pressure in the right direction? Tell me. I want to do this the right way. I have a friend who puts a great edge on all my chains with a grinder, but I want to be more independent. Thank you all.

 

[Lawn Masters]

Sorry but you posted in the wrong forum for this one, its supposed to be in the chainsaw forum, not used equip.

you just need to do ONE major thing, practice and practice some more to get filing down solid. it took me a few months with a hand file to get the chain to cut good, then another few months to get it right, and now, I'm pretty dang close to perfect on it. I'm sure if you do the same, you'll see an improvment in it after awhile.

 

[litefoot]

Oops! Mods, can you move my post? Thanks!

 

[Dadatwins]

Buy a file guide to start and practice with it before going freehand.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I agree, the file guide is the way to go. Oregon makes cheap little guides that clip right on the file. They come in a kit with a couple files and a raker gage for like $6.
Clamp the saw bar in a vise, to hold things steady.
The hardest part of filing is getting the side plate angle right. This is the curved angle you see when you look at the saw chain from the side. If you look at a new chain, you'll see how it's supposed to look. Using a file guide prevents you from filing too deep or too shallow.
The angle you see when you look straight down on the chain, what you see when you're filing, is less critical, but the file guide has lines stamped on them to guide you to keeping this angle correct.
The last thing you need to think of is holding the file not flat, but drop the handle about 5 degrees.
Lastly, lay a raker gage over the raker and file off what ever sticks out with a flat file. The cutter slants down and as you file it, it gets lower, so the raker needs to come down a little each time you file the cutter back. Most people don't file the rakers every time, but that's best.

 

[Fireaxman]

Mike, thanks very much for the extra detail you went in to here. I've been filing my own chains for a long time, but they are never as good as what the factory puts on a new chain. I've been trying to file flat (instead of handle down 5 degrees) and I probably do not take my rakers down as often as I should.

 

[neverenough]

Litefoot, here's my suggestion. Take your chains to your friend and get them sharpened. Now, instead of puting them on the saw right away, take the file to them and give them a "touch up". Not only will this make the chains a little sharper than what the grinder does, it will help you get a "feel" for the angles. If the grinder was set up properly, with a light touch, the file should want to follow the correct angles. I've been hand filing for many years, with very good results, but the sharpest chains I have ever used were the ones I am sharpening now with my electric grinder, followed by a touch up with a file. They cut better than even new factory chains. Pay very strict attention to how the file feels and looks as you are filing, and in no time you should be able to walk up to a dull chain and know and feel when you are filing correctly. I file my Stihl chains at a 25 degree angle, with a 10 degree angle on the file. Good luck.

 

[jokers]

.
The last thing you need to think of is holding the file not flat, but drop the handle about 5 degrees.

Is about 5° a factory spec?

The downangle on the file handle that Mike speaks of is normally associated with round chisel chain, for most semi chisel it isn`t appropriate, you will have to look at the factory specs for your specific chain.

Did anyone mention to file inside out?

Russ

 

[neverenough]

Is about 5° a factory spec?
Did anyone mention to file inside out?

Russ

Is that important????

 

[Lawn Masters]

if you want a decent life on your files, YES. I always file from the inside to outside of the cutter, its also smoother filing that way too.

 

[neverenough]

if you want a decent life on your files, YES. I always file from the inside to outside of the cutter, its also smoother filing that way too.

Really??? I get chatter sometimes filing that way. I file both sides of the chain from the bar side of the saw, but at the bench, with the chain off, I file just the opposite becouse of the chatter. I file towords the point/leading edge.