Sharpening Question

[PetrolHead]

Hi there.
Finally got hold of a Husky roller guide to do some chain sharpening. I,ve used it once on a new Oregon LG chisel and found the file doesnt contact the side plate all the way down where it normally would, but will after a few more touch ups. Still has produced a nice beak that has an angle comparable to new cutters. I think i would have to take another .5 of a millimeter off to remove most of the original grinding marks from the side plate. The file is a 7/32 and seems to sit about 1/5 above the top plate. I won't be able to try it for a bit, so my question is will it cut ok? or do I have to keep going back?
I've read that the top corner is the important part (which is nice and sharp). I would prefer not to take more off the teeth until I have to.

Thanks for any help.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Now this is purely off the top of my head, and without looking at a manual, so don't everyone jump on me at one time- I think the 7/32 file is more for .404 chain. At least that's how Stihl files are sold. If your'e using 3/8 pitch, I think that's like 13/64 file or something like that. I grabbed the wrong package of Stihl files once, and filed my 3/8 chain with them for a while before I realized it. Same thing, the file just didn't seem to fill the cutter right, but it cut fine for me. I went and got the proper files, and it does seem to sharpen and cut better for me now.

That's just off the cuff advice, and I'm sure someone will get on here and set me straight, but that's JMO.

Jeff

 

[trimmmed]

Jeff, 7/32" is the file size for oregon LG chain, Stihl chain uses the 13/64" file for 3/8" chain and the 7/32" file for .404.

 

[Lawn Masters]

The 7/32 file is also good for carlton and most brands of chain, except Stihl.

 

[ozflea]

Yes 7/32 is the starting size and when you are further through the chain you change over to a 3/16 file as the cutting tooth is reducing in size.

Mc Bob.

 

[PetrolHead]

Thanks for the reply.
Yep, I will just have to try it I think, I used a 13/64 file on one cutter first (also use a Stihl RM) but found it didn't contact the top plate properly on this chain and looked like it would cause too much of a beak when it did.
I have a bad habit of halving chain life by trying to get things perfect, this time I would like to take my time and be patient with it, try to learn a few things.
Thanks again

 

[ross_scott]

Yes 7/32 is the starting size and when you are further through the chain you change over to a 3/16 file as the cutting tooth is reducing in size.

Mc Bob.

That is interesting to find out as I had just finished doing my first chain sharpen on my Dolmar ps-34 (saw is brand new) and it came with a 3/16 file and I was wondering why the file looked a bit big for the chain, oh well off to the store this week to get a 7/16 file

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

PetrolHead, you are noticing the formation of a Gullet . There is no need to get too excited about it, but every couple sharpenings you can pull the round file out of the holder and file it away. This will help with chip flow and your chain will cut a bit faster.

For those of you that get excited about file size, don't. Just know that bigger files can make a faster cutting cutter, but if it's too big it can cut into tie straps while you're sharpening and maybe weaken the chain.
Besides making a faster chain, big files take out the gullet at the same time you sharpen, saving you a step.

 

[Al Smith]

Ditto what Mike said.I think a file guide is a good idea for a learning curve,so to speak.After a period of time you will learn to file without one.When that time comes you will seldom use one again.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Ditto what Mike said.I think a file guide is a good idea for a learning curve,so to speak.After a period of time you will learn to file without one.When that time comes you will seldom use one again.

That's what I used to think. Filed for years without one, then learned how important sideplate angles are and how impossible it is to make each one perfect by hand. That said, you can file a good enough chain without a guide.
Shoot, just running a saw that's sharp is more than 95% of folks do, even if the angles are off a little.

 

[CNYCountry]

Now this is purely off the top of my head, and without looking at a manual, so don't everyone jump on me at one time- I think the 7/32 file is more for .404 chain. At least that's how Stihl files are sold. If your'e using 3/8 pitch, I think that's like 13/64 file or something like that. I grabbed the wrong package of Stihl files once, and filed my 3/8 chain with them for a while before I realized it. Same thing, the file just didn't seem to fill the cutter right, but it cut fine for me. I went and got the proper files, and it does seem to sharpen and cut better for me now.

That's just off the cuff advice, and I'm sure someone will get on here and set me straight, but that's JMO.

Jeff

This is interesting. My dealer, who seems to be extremely competent in general, insists that they have always filed 3/8 Stihl chain with 7/32 files even though the package says 13/64. He says the 7/32 file gives it a bigger "throat", recommended it and that is what I have used. After filing with this the chain cuts straight and very fast with the rakers at about .030 in the beech and cherry I have been cutting but I have to be careful with the file that I don't let it ride up towards the top plate too much and make the top plate angle too blunt. The first couple of strokes on each cutter on a new chain is rough, I am assuming it's opening up that extra 1/64".

It's only 1/64" difference, is it really noticeable?