Nail vs Chain

[gruff4531]

Doing some cutting this past weekend on some silver maple at my parents farm and my brother ran my 036 into an old nail that was probably put in the tree by me or one of my brothers a long time ago (goes to show I should have listened to my Dad) anyway about 8 cutters in a row on one side show some a pretty heavy damage.

My question is what is the best way to sharpen this chain?

This has happened before and I used a file to sharpen the chain but after that it would never cut straight (always pull to the right while cutting) so should a sharpen every cutter to the same size?

Any insite would be helpful

Tools on hand:

files
dremel tool w/chainsaw sharpening stone
bench mounted oregon chain sharpener

 

[clearance]

Get a new file and file them out close to even. In the vise, with two hands, and gloves.

 

[Chopwood]

Take it off and buy a new one. Save the wasted one for stump and root cuts.

 

[Ductape]

Or take it to someone with a chain grinder. Set the grinder to sharpen (remove the chip in the tooth) the WORST of the teeth. Then sharpen all teeth to match. You'll be removing a fair amount of material, but it should cut straight again. Also.... you'll probably have to bring the rakers down accordingly.

 

[beelsr]

Take it off and buy a new one. Save the wasted one for stump and root cuts.

Or take it to your Stihl dealer and have him replace those 8 teeth. He might even do it for free if you catch him in a good mood.

 

[Sprig]

Or take it to your Stihl dealer and have him replace those 8 teeth. He might even do it for free if you catch him in a good mood.

Excellent suggestion! Especially if a newer loop.

 

[Cedarkerf]

Here is a nail I found. Can't believe finished the cut without much problem. Took chain and had the shop grind it works fine. 32" on 066.

 

[ropensaddle]

I bought a grinder just because of them critters.
If you cut a lot they are 300 new and do a good job
after you get hang of dressing stone and done a few.

 

[Ianab]

This has happened before and I used a file to sharpen the chain but after that it would never cut straight (always pull to the right while cutting) so should a sharpen every cutter to the same size?

Yes, the chain is usually damaged more on one side that the other, so if you take a lot off the damaged side to get the cutters right again the chain will be uneven and cut in circles.

As long as you are reasonably good at filing and have a nice new file you can get the chain back into shape. You have to file the worst cutters back to clean chrome, then file the others to approx the same length. Of course you have taken a bit of lifetime off the chain, but it's cheaper than a new one. You probably need to check and file the rakers too if you file off a lot of cutter.

Other option is to take it to the shop and let them grind it back into shape for you, easy enough with a grinder.

Of course it depends how much you value your time, some might say just get a new chain, fair enough. But I would still put the nailed one away and sharpen it up on a rainy afternoon. You should be able to get it cutting fine again, just takes a bit of work.

Cheers

Ian

 

[SawTroll]

..... This has happened before and I used a file to sharpen the chain but after that it would never cut straight (always pull to the right while cutting) so should a sharpen every cutter to the same size?
...

That is because you probably have several short cutters on one side of the chain. An occational short one doesn't really matter, but you obviously passed the limit.......

Do as clearance said, or use a grinder to get them close to even.

 

[gruff4531]

Thanks

Thanks for all the advice, will try to get the chain back in shape sometime when it is raining outside.

greg

 

[DGG]

I'd swap it out for another sharpened chain. Take the damaged one to the local chainsaw dealer to be resharpened and replacing the damaged links, if not too expensive. It may be cheaper just to buy a new chain.

 

[romeo]

Nails $uck.
Last year I spent around 10 hours grinding and filing a race chain. Went out to my test log and took one cut half way through. It was cutting like crazy until I got to the nails my kids had driven into the log. It tore off about 6 teeth and 10 rakers instantly, its hanging on my wall of shame now.
The worst part is that I think the was probably the fastest chain I ever filed, besides being the shortest lived chain in chainsaw history (it had less than 1/2 a second on it before it died).

 

[matty f]

if ive hit a nail or worse a stone I will find the worse damaged tooth get a new file and give it as many strokes untill there is a clean undamaged cutter,count how many strokes it took and apply that to ever other cutter or measure them to the one you have just done,dont forget to keep the pitch the same on each cutter!.
adjust the rakers acordingly so the chain stil pulls in to the wood usually about 4 strokes for say about fifteen strokes on a cutter is what i do .
it should be as good as new!

 

[Sprig]

Nails $uck.
Last year I spent around 10 hours grinding and filing a race chain. Went out to my test log and took one cut half way through. It was cutting like crazy until I got to the nails my kids had driven into the log. It tore off about 6 teeth and 10 rakers instantly, its hanging on my wall of shame now.
The worst part is that I think the was probably the fastest chain I ever filed, besides being the shortest lived chain in chainsaw history (it had less than 1/2 a second on it before it died).

:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

Man that sux, but it made me laugh 'cause a couple of hours ago I took my wee ms270 to the loacal shop to see if the tech there could figure out my lack of starting (I think it was my lack of technique btw to be totally honest). He fired it up a couple of times after testing everything out and we went outside to the beach where his cutting log is. After several cuts on a big ol' chunk of fir log he walked the non-cookied bit at the tip and made a couple more cuts............into an 8" galvi spike..................DOH! New free chain (helluva nice kid) and it made me chuckle that not even 5 minutes before I had commented that I'd be in for a new loop next week!
Not really too sure what the problem was/is with the saw but I have at least 30+ cords of big fir to buck up for a local charity over the next while so I'll see if the problem persists and post in the 270 thread next time.
Ya ya, gone wayyyy off topic



Serge

 

[scottr]

Nails $uck.
Last year I spent around 10 hours grinding and filing a race chain. Went out to my test log and took one cut half way through. It was cutting like crazy until I got to the nails my kids had driven into the log. It tore off about 6 teeth and 10 rakers instantly, its hanging on my wall of shame now.
The worst part is that I think the was probably the fastest chain I ever filed, besides being the shortest lived chain in chainsaw history (it had less than 1/2 a second on it before it died).

Romeo , you need a lumber wizard . http://www.lumberwizard.com/

 

[romeo]

Cool, I think I do need one of those.