Round filing 3/8 chain file prefrence 7/32 vs. 13/64 -Durabilty VS. Speed

[SawTroll]

Hey old friend,
do you think there would be any advantage to using a 13/64ths on the Stihl chains that have been filed several time with a 7/32th?
The reason I ask is I'm going to be needing some files soon and most of my chains now are Stihl.

Hello ol' friend, nice to see you posting!

Yes I do - actually I don't like to use 7/32" on 3/8" Stihl chain at all, and prefer to use 13/64" from the outset. However, I remember that it took some time before I was totally convinced, so I can't attest that it makes a major difference on fairly fresh/new chain.

I guess it isn't just for fun that Stihl recommends 13/64" - even though they sometimes like to be "different" just for the sake of being different.

 

[J.W Younger]

I sometimes use a 7/32 for the first few filings, but i like the 13/64 after that. Don't know about a real advantage, but it'll certainly work.

The last time I was at my stihl dealer I picked up a 3/16th for my .325 stuff and I really like it. I only have 2 or three 7/32th left out of a dozen and probably should save them for my Oregon chains.
Its probably picking flyshit out of pepper anyway cause most of us use 7/32 on all of our 3/8 chain and file o plates on em too even thou they're for carlton chains.

 

[Cliff R]

I've will cut more wood and have more saws at my disposal than most who read this.

I've been "full circle" with this sort of thing and cut wood just about daily since the mid 1970's. Even up near 60 years old we still own several farms and cut firewood to heat three homes.

WAY back in the beginning I only thought there was one chain out there that was worth two squirts of duck poop, and that was Oregon full chisel. I also laughed at saws less than 70cc, but for sure I was much leaner and meaner back then!

Early on tried the smaller file deal but quickly found out that it didn't work as well as 7/32". Ran with that deal for decades, then as I got older smaller saws with .325" chains were added to the line-up and then even smaller saws with 3/8"LP. I also tried different and less expensive brands of chain, and the only ones that rate with Oregon is Stihl, but I still give Oregon a very slight edge overall.

Getting re-introduced to semi-chisel/round cutters made me take a new look at cutting performance, and I'll add here that we frequently cut material left over from logging operations and often it has been moved to a central staging area so some dirt in the bark, etc. I've also noticed that some of the local shops don't even stock 7/32" files anymore and quickly hand you a pack of 13/64's and in the same breath tell you that is the "hot ticket" and what everyone else is doing.

Well not me. I've tried that deal numerous times and absolutely and for sure 7/32" makes the grade better than 13/64's on the larger 3/8" pitch Oregon chains. I also use in on Stihl chains if/when we outfit one of our saws with a loop of it, usually happening because someone happened to be at the local Amish Stihl shop on a particular day and needed a loop or two of chain. The slightly more aggressive angle established by the smaller file may initially be impressive for "pulling" the saw in and throwing chips, but in the long haul 7/32" just cuts longer without dulling.

I have came in near the end of a chains life and hit it a few times with 13/64", which seems to do OK for a couple of outings but really not big improvement over using 7/32", as a worn out chain is just that, and needs to be replaced to restore optimum cutting performance.

With that said I've also started to use a LOT more semi-chisel chain these days, as they will go 2-3 times further in material that isn't "clean" without going so dull you can't make a cut. Same thing there, the larger 7/32" files just work better in the big scheme of things. When you first outfit your saw with semi vs full chisel, the initial impression is that you hurt it's cutting performance, but after you cut a few cords and still on the same chain w/o touching it, you'll develop a bit more respect for it. Anyhow, that's my opinion on the subject, based on decades of experience.......Cliff

 

[Thomas Lilli]

Hey old friend,
do you think there would be any advantage to using a 13/64ths on the Stihl chains that have been filed several time with a 7/32th?
The reason I ask is I'm going to be needing some files soon and most of

I've will cut more wood and have more saws at my disposal than most who read this.

I've been "full circle" with this sort of thing and cut wood just about daily since the mid 1970's. Even up near 60 years old we still own several farms and cut firewood to heat three homes.

WAY back in the beginning I only thought there was one chain out there that was worth two squirts of duck poop, and that was Oregon full chisel. I also laughed at saws less than 70cc, but for sure I was much leaner and meaner back then!

Early on tried the smaller file deal but quickly found out that it didn't work as well as 7/32". Ran with that deal for decades, then as I got older smaller saws with .325" chains were added to the line-up and then even smaller saws with 3/8"LP. I also tried different and less expensive brands of chain, and the only ones that rate with Oregon is Stihl, but I still give Oregon a very slight edge overall.

Getting re-introduced to semi-chisel/round cutters made me take a new look at cutting performance, and I'll add here that we frequently cut material left over from logging operations and often it has been moved to a central staging area so some dirt in the bark, etc. I've also noticed that some of the local shops don't even stock 7/32" files anymore and quickly hand you a pack of 13/64's and in the same breath tell you that is the "hot ticket" and what everyone else is doing.

Well not me. I've tried that deal numerous times and absolutely and for sure 7/32" makes the grade better than 13/64's on the larger 3/8" pitch Oregon chains. I also use in on Stihl chains if/when we outfit one of our saws with a loop of it, usually happening because someone happened to be at the local Amish Stihl shop on a particular day and needed a loop or two of chain. The slightly more aggressive angle established by the smaller file my initially be impressive for "pulling" the saw in and throwing chips, but in the long haul 7/32" just cuts longer without dulling.

I have came in near the end of a chains life and hit it a few times with 13/64", which seems to do OK for a couple of outings but really not big improvement over using 7/32", as a worn out chain is just that, and needs to be replaced to restore optimum cutting performance.

With that said I've also started to use a LOT more semi-chisel chain these days, as they will go 2-3 times further in material that isn't "clean" without going so dull you can't make a cut. Same thing there, the larger 7/32" files just work better in the big scheme of things. When you first outfit your saw with semi vs full chisel, the initial impression is that you hurt it's cutting performance, but after you cut a few cords and still on the same chain w/o touching it, you'll develop a bit more respect for it. Anyhow, that's my opinion on the subject, based on decades of experience.......Cliff

Good point! I’m really the other end of the experience scale and my OCD is getting the best of me . And approaching 60 myself, and being in a line of work where experience, although not appreciated these days, does matter, I take your input with all the respect it deserves. Thanks Clif.

 

[Thomas Lilli]

The last time I was at my stihl dealer I picked up a 3/16th for my .325 stuff and I really like it. I only have 2 or three 7/32th left out of a dozen and probably should save them for my Oregon chains.
Its probably picking flyshit out of pepper anyway cause most of us use 7/32 on all of our 3/8 chain and file o plates on em too even thou they're for carlton chains.

J. W. Young, thanks for your service. Ya, I always leave the flyshit in the pepper and tell my wife it’s organic.