alright...confusion. one person says raker and one person says back of cutting tooth...which is it. im using a stihl file and guide. how often should u have to replace a stihl cutting file?
I have had the best experience keeping the file holder riding on both the drag (raker / depth gauge) and the cutting tooth (however I keep the drags pretty close to the recommended depth / offset from top of the cutter. If you keep the drag and cutting tooth close to in check difference in file depth above the cutter which I think is usually about 20% of the file, will be close enough.
As well by doing the following:
- The file needs to be the right size (some chains are ok to use a file that is 1/64" off the recommended file size, but keep it simple and get the right size).
- The file holder needs to match the file size. I did have one holder that was manufactured enough out that it would not work properly.
- Follow the angle recommended by chain manufacturer both across the chain and handle (up/down).
- Push the file into the cutter from inside to outside, keeping angles as noted.
- Don't let the chain get too dull between sharpenings, its easier on the file, saw and you to keep it sharp.
- Start with the shortest cutter, sharpen it until sharp then try and make the others as close as possible to this length with drags to match each cutter with the depth gauge, round the front of drag.
Sometimes if you are filing the chain on the bar and the groove is a little loose you will get some strange results, its like holding the handle down more than recommend which is usually 0 to 10 deg down. So you need to get chain vise or take the slop / movement into account.
As you get better at sharpening and paying attention to the chain, you will get to find that you see a well sharpened tooth.
- Too much hook will cut fast at first but will dullen faster.
- Not enough hook and the cutter won't bite as well.
Some people will do some things different and it might work as well but they also might have a slightly different technique that makes it work it for them.
I had an anti-kick back chain that came on my Echo saw that was a POS or whatever I was doing was wrong, because I could not sharpen that thing except free hand...just the file and that was a PITA, too much work and attention needed. So I replaced it and never looked back. That being said I have the same sort of family of chain on the little Redmax the wife uses and it is simple and quick to sharpen, I bought new much better chains to put on it, but has been working for her as is so I left it.
If you can't get it keep trying or get a grinder.
: does the edge and raker in one pass. Sold by Baileys and Stihl/Husky dealers. This is the best including grinders (except for rocks, the odd 30-06 round or wire in the trunk ).
