Stihl File Guide Differences Questions

[russell3]

I have a chainsaw that has a .325 pitch stihl chain on it(026). when I was given the saw (got it used from a friend) I needed a way to sharpen it. I went down to the dealer and got a 3/8 pitch file kit, it had the file guide, depth gauge, flat file for the rakers, and a round file for 3/8 chain(can't remember the exact size of the round file). When I got it home, I realized that I bought the kit for the wrong pitch. I went back to the store and assumed that all I needed was the right size round file. I picked up a pack of round files for .325 chain. I found out later that the file guides have different part numbers. should I have gotten a .325 file guide as well? or will my 3/8 file guide work with the .325 file? I'm finding that my teeth are getting hooks in them on the point and it's not quite right. the file either needs to come up(maybe need the right guide is all) or I'm filing at the wrong angle and just need to practice more.

 

[mijdirtyjeep]

You are going to want to bring the 3/8 2n1 file back and get the proper .325 one.

 

[russell3]

ok, thanks for the info. It's not the 2 in 1 guide, it's the one that looks like this: https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/filing-tools/completefilekits/
I just bought another saw that is 3/8, so I'm going to just buy a .325 kit and then use the right guide and file on the right chains

 

[Sandhill Crane]

Take both back and get the file Stihl 2-1 file guide for each pitch, and some extra files.
Also get the file guide for dressing the bar 90 degrees, and a fine flat file for dressing the burrs on the bar.
And a bench vise, if you don't already have one.
And a Sharpie or two for marking one or two teeth where you start your sharpening.
You may need a quad and nursery wagon as well. Very Handy

 

[Sandhill Crane]

Everyone is different with spending money, and would never drop $50. on a guide.
The Stihl 2-1 is so simple to use, learning cure twenty minutes tops, and after, five minutes or less to sharpen each time. Hand me a file and I wouldn't know how to use it. With this guide I sharpen as soon as the chain no longer self feeds in the cut. We have all seen videos of guys bucking, working the saw up and down, even back and forth like a hand saw. Crazy. Watch guys cutting cookies. Self feeding... This guide was a game changer for me. As is the Husky 562.
But that's just me. I work alone a lot, which may have long term side affects.
Tee shirt in a catalog says it all...

 

[mijdirtyjeep]

I love my 2n1 Stihl guides ( have both .325 and 3/8). I will say they are pretty aggressive with the depth/raker height. It not a big deal on my larger 3/8 saw, but my wimpier .325 saw, I just pull that file out and only put it in every third sharpening.

 

[CentaurG2]

I have tried many file guides. I keep going back to the cheap Oregon guide. Readily available at Wally word or lowes. Unlike the stihl guide, it uses spring clips to hold the file in the guide. These allow the file to be rotated as you sharpen. Give better file life.



OREGON Chain Sharpening - YouTube

 

[mijdirtyjeep]

I have tried many file guides. I keep going back to the cheap Oregon guide. Readily available at Wally word or lowes. Unlike the stihl guide, it uses spring clips to hold the file in the guide. These allow the file to be rotated as you sharpen. Give better file life.



OREGON Chain Sharpening - YouTube

I am able to rotate my files in mine, when new it was not as easy. When new, I just popped open the end to take tension off, then rotated the round file an 1/8 of a turn.

 

[CentaurG2]

I spin the file after each tooth. Just a habit. Soak the guide and fine in a tube of kroil just like a comb at a barbershop. Keeps them sharp and gives good file life. Vallorbe makes a very nice guide. The nose has an offset tab which makes it very comfortable to use but it too has a vice like grip on the file.



Vallorbe 7/32" Chainsaw Sharpening Kit & Dozen Files for Echo, Stihl, Husqvarna | eBay

 

[AmateurSawer]

Does anyone use carb cleaner spray on their files to loosen filings after use?

 

[memory]

Never really thought about this until I seen this thread. But what is the difference between the different size file guides? Not talking about the 2in1 guide but the standard guide. I mean what makes it where you can't use the 3/8 version with a .325 file?

 

[Philbert]

Welcome to A.S!

I found out later that the file guides have different part numbers. should I have gotten a .325 file guide as well?

Sounds like you already did.
The basic file holder does a few things:

- the lines engraved in the top help to guide you when filing the top plate angle (typically 30°);
- it provides a handle to hold onto, and makes it easier to guide the file with your other hand;
- it holds the file consistently at the recommended depth below the top plate (1/5 file diameter). To do this accurately, the groove in the file holder must be proportioned to the diameter of the file used. So there should be a different one for each file diameter used.

Never really thought about this until I seen this thread. But what is the difference between the different size file guides?

See above. I get stomach pains when I see one-size, 'Universal File Holders' sold at The Home Depot.

I like this basic file holder because it works with all chains of that pitch; note that is is only supposed to be used at 90° (or at a 0° 'down angle'). Guides that support the files from below might give different results with chains that have different height or shaped cutters. File guides like the Pferd or STIHL '2-in-1' don't work on skip-tooth chains, and do not let you adjust the depth gauges separately, if desired. But they are very popular, especially, with newer users. But whatever works for each user.

Does anyone use carb cleaner spray on their files to loosen filings after use?

I just tap them on their end, and / or use a stiff brush or 'file card'. But I also try to clean my chains before sharpening at home. Does the carb cleaner work for you?

Philbert

 

[memory]

Welcome to A.S!

Sounds like you already did.
The basic file holder does a few things:
View attachment 873875
- the lines engraved in the top help to guide you when filing the top plate angle (typically 30°);
- it provides a handle to hold onto, and makes it easier to guide the file with your other hand;
- it holds the file consistently at the recommended depth below the top plate (1/5 file diameter). To do this accurately, the groove in the file holder must be proportioned to the diameter of the file used. So there should be a different one for each file diameter used.
View attachment 873876

See above. I get stomach pains when I see one-size, 'Universal File Holders' sold at The Home Depot.

I like this basic file holder because it works with all chains of that pitch; note that is is only supposed to be used at 90° (or at a 0° 'down angle'). Guides that support the files from below might give different results with chains that have different height or shaped cutters. File guides like the Pferd or STIHL '2-in-1' don't work on skip-tooth chains, and do not let you adjust the depth gauges separately, if desired. But they are very popular, especially, with newer users. But whatever works for each user.


I just tap them on their end, and / or use a stiff brush or 'file card'. But I also try to clean my chains before sharpening at home. Does the carb cleaner work for you?

Philbert

That is what I thought it was. But after physically comparing different sizes, I couldn't tell any difference in the groove.