Stihl FG2 Bench Mount Filing Guide

[deepsouth]

Im buying a FG2 locally.

Just checked the local Stihl dealer in Aus, after they found it, $220 including GST.

Shocked, usually everything is double, ie a ms460 $1999.

 

[mr.finn]

I checked a local dealer and price was $160 plus shipping and tax, total around $178. Seems to be the going rate for these. Dealer did not have it stock.

 

[sawjo]

I love mine. Here is how I mount it, lag bolted to a 4X4 piece of PT post, then I mounted the block in my vice. Makes for a nice chest height.



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[MS390]

The square file kit

Has he started making the kits for sale? That could be cool!!!

this filing jig was revamped by adam clarke to be able to use a double bevel square file. he is one hell of a good machinist and comes up with some really awsome stuff. i wish i was half as talented a machinist as he is.

View attachment 254126View attachment 254127View attachment 254128

 

[Rudolf73]

I would really like to get one of these at some stage, so if anyone has one for sale or knows of one please let me know.

Cheers

 

[young]

I would really like to get one of these at some stage, so if anyone has one for sale or knows of one please let me know.

Cheers

just buy one from your dealer. :msp_razz:

 

[cmsmoke]

Lotsa luck...They are discontinued. Watch E-Bay.

 

[young]

Lotsa luck...They are discontinued. Watch E-Bay.

yea for US, not AUS.....for now anyway.

 

[Rudolf73]

just buy one from your dealer. :msp_razz:

Hmmm, I was trying to avoid the $220+ price tag :msp_unsure:

 

[young]

Hmmm, I was trying to avoid the $220+ price tag :msp_unsure:

but when they are all gone prices might be higher. its only 60 bux more then before.

 

[Rudolf73]

but when they are all gone prices might be higher. its only 60 bux more then before.

Okay, I'll go and sweet talk my dealer. Maybe I can get a better price.

 

[cmsmoke]

It is a shame...Seems like it was gaining popularity and they do work well. Maybe someone will get some imported and put on E-bay...Like the custom fit scabbards. I understand they cut the scabbard extensions as well.

 

[cowroy]

I have an FG2, but lately I have been thinking more simply and I believe it would be better to have a timberline if you want to go as cheap as possible, but get perfect cutters. Trust me when I say, I love my FG2!!! The cutters are perfect when I get done, but you have to take the chain off the saw and it has to be rigidly mounted somewhere. I have been thinking about that timberline for a couple weeks now and I think it should be the first sharpening tool for the firewood guy, or the logger because of the pure simplicity of it. You don't have to do anything except sit it on the bar, make a couple adjustments and start sharpening. The only thing that I see you give up is the 10 degree tilt, if that's how you like to sharpen. For my particular setup I like to bring an extra chains for when I dull one. With a Timberline, you can buy one chain sharpen as needed quickly in the field and when it's on it last leg, stop and get a new chain. Then that's the only time you would ever have take the chain off. I have my FG2 mounted to a piece of angle for putting in a vise, so I think I am gonna by a cheap vise and fab up something to mount the vise in a receiver hitch for sharpening in the field.

No, my FG2 is not for sale. :msp_smile:

 

[CR500]

I have an FG2, but lately I have been thinking more simply and I believe it would be better to have a timberline if you want to go as cheap as possible, but get perfect cutters. Trust me when I say, I love my FG2!!! The cutters are perfect when I get done, but you have to take the chain off the saw and it has to be rigidly mounted somewhere. I have been thinking about that timberline for a couple weeks now and I think it should be the first sharpening tool for the firewood guy, or the logger because of the pure simplicity of it. You don't have to do anything except sit it on the bar, make a couple adjustments and start sharpening. The only thing that I see you give up is the 10 degree tilt, if that's how you like to sharpen. For my particular setup I like to bring an extra chains for when I dull one. With a Timberline, you can buy one chain sharpen as needed quickly in the field and when it's on it last leg, stop and get a new chain. Then that's the only time you would ever have take the chain off. I have my FG2 mounted to a piece of angle for putting in a vise, so I think I am gonna by a cheap vise and fab up something to mount the vise in a receiver hitch for sharpening in the field.

No, my FG2 is not for sale. :msp_smile:

Dam lol

Well if you want to sell it.... please let me know!!!!

 

[cowroy]

I am not trying to downgrade the FG2. It is an awesome tool, BUT it does have it's flaws. For what a new one cost I think it should have had some things refined a little more than they are. For instance, the tooth stop only holds the tooth really well when sharpening one side. When you go to sharpen the other side the stop doesn't hit the back of the tooth the same place and the chain can slide off the stop if your not careful. The vise is not as good as I think it should be. For the price of the tool, it should be perfect IMO. As far as construction as a whole it is very well made, but there could be improvements.

If I would have paid full price, I would have been a little disappointed............until I saw the cutters. The chains cut so smooth it's crazy.

The way I have things set up now I have 9 twenty inch chains, and 3 twenty four inch chains. All these chains were given to me, so it's easy to take several and just swap em out as they dull and then resharpen them in the spare time.

The point I am trying to get across here is, if I were in the tree industry making a living I would rather have a timberline for ease of use in the field, so I could sharpen on the go as to have to sharpen chains at home when I could be spending time doing something with my family. I mechanic for a living, so the last thing I want to do at home is mechanic on my own cars. That's why there is something wrong with all of em.

A lot of people on hear, me included do not use a saw for a living, so taking the time to use an FG2 is irrelevant. It's part of our hobby, so a nice well sharpened chain is worth what it takes to get it.

I may shoot a vid of the setup and use of the FG2 cause after a quick search I could not find one on youtube.

 

[Rudolf73]

I am not trying to downgrade the FG2. It is an awesome tool, BUT it does have it's flaws. For what a new one cost I think it should have had some things refined a little more than they are. For instance, the tooth stop only holds the tooth really well when sharpening one side. When you go to sharpen the other side the stop doesn't hit the back of the tooth the same place and the chain can slide off the stop if your not careful. The vise is not as good as I think it should be. For the price of the tool, it should be perfect IMO. As far as construction as a whole it is very well made, but there could be improvements.

If I would have paid full price, I would have been a little disappointed............until I saw the cutters. The chains cut so smooth it's crazy.

The way I have things set up now I have 9 twenty inch chains, and 3 twenty four inch chains. All these chains were given to me, so it's easy to take several and just swap em out as they dull and then resharpen them in the spare time.

The point I am trying to get across here is, if I were in the tree industry making a living I would rather have a timberline for ease of use in the field, so I could sharpen on the go as to have to sharpen chains at home when I could be spending time doing something with my family. I mechanic for a living, so the last thing I want to do at home is mechanic on my own cars. That's why there is something wrong with all of em.

A lot of people on hear, me included do not use a saw for a living, so taking the time to use an FG2 is irrelevant. It's part of our hobby, so a nice well sharpened chain is worth what it takes to get it.

I may shoot a vid of the setup and use of the FG2 cause after a quick search I could not find one on youtube.

A video will be great thanks Cowroy

 

[Majorpayne]

I am not trying to downgrade the FG2. It is an awesome tool, BUT it does have it's flaws. For what a new one cost I think it should have had some things refined a little more than they are. For instance, the tooth stop only holds the tooth really well when sharpening one side. When you go to sharpen the other side the stop doesn't hit the back of the tooth the same place and the chain can slide off the stop if your not careful. The vise is not as good as I think it should be. For the price of the tool, it should be perfect IMO. As far as construction as a whole it is very well made, but there could be improvements.

If I would have paid full price, I would have been a little disappointed............until I saw the cutters. The chains cut so smooth it's crazy.

The way I have things set up now I have 9 twenty inch chains, and 3 twenty four inch chains. All these chains were given to me, so it's easy to take several and just swap em out as they dull and then resharpen them in the spare time.

The point I am trying to get across here is, if I were in the tree industry making a living I would rather have a timberline for ease of use in the field, so I could sharpen on the go as to have to sharpen chains at home when I could be spending time doing something with my family. I mechanic for a living, so the last thing I want to do at home is mechanic on my own cars. That's why there is something wrong with all of em.

A lot of people on hear, me included do not use a saw for a living, so taking the time to use an FG2 is irrelevant. It's part of our hobby, so a nice well sharpened chain is worth what it takes to get it.

I may shoot a vid of the setup and use of the FG2 cause after a quick search I could not find one on youtube.

I had a Timberline and didn't like it. I wouldn't trade my fg2 for 6 Timberlines.

 

[deepsouth]

I wouldn't use a sharpener out in the field. I'm too busy cutting, splitting, stacking the trailer with wood or drinking water.

Further, a hot dusty chain is best removed, shaken and wiped with a rag first. I'd much rather swap chains, usually do anyway depending on whether it's a clean takedown - use chisel, or a dirtier wood heap - use semi chisel.

And I reckon most loggers would swap chains as they'd use a grinder in the workshop.

 

[cmsmoke]

I will agree that the FG2 isn't perfect, but it is as close as you will come for an off the shelf item. I haven't experienced any problems with slippage when flipping to the other side. I'll have to look at it now that you made mention of it.

 

[Philbert]

I wouldn't use a sharpener out in the field. . . .And I reckon most loggers would swap chains as they'd use a grinder in the workshop.

I typically carry extra chains and swap in the field. And I typically use a grinder. But a lot of guys like the edges they get with a file. File guides like the FG2, Granberg, Oregon, etc let them get high quality, consistent, filed edges back in the workshop. I use one periodically when I have a limited number of chains to do and don't want to make a lot of noise, dust, etc.

Different strokes for different folks . . . (or sometimes, for different situations)

Philbert