Stihl's main domestic push for chain maintenance is the Pferd 2-in-1 filing system in creamsicle colors. They obviously have their reasons for not offering the progressive depth gauge tools..., perhaps a U.S. patent issue somewhere along the line? Perhaps the fact that Carlton dropped the File-o-Plate to never have it re-introduced to the market again..., presumably for lack of interest? The Husky gauges don't exactly fly off the hooks and most Husky dealers don't even stock them. The typical fixed depth raker tools are indisputably the norm in North America and will likely remain so simply due to the lack of knowledge across the board about the progressive style alternative.
As for an over seas source, maybe the guy in Greece who was middling the 500i's a while back? His handle escapes me at the moment and I don't remember if he is a member here or over on Opie. Maybe someone else knows who I'm talking about. And near as I can figure, it'll take two trustworthy players to pull this off. One there, and one here. Pretty doubtful they'll both contribute to the cause simply out of the goodness of their hearts which will add to the cost. Combined with shipping for whatever quantity, the whole enterprise gets top heavy pretty fast cost-wise.
A better idea to promote would be finding someone domestically to actually make them, or Hannes' devices, or both. Gotta be someone out there with the simple tooling to knock them out by the dozens. Material should be cheap as should overhead and shipping.
Keeping it right here at home makes way more sense.
Perhaps
@Mike Kunte would elaborate further on his approach?
Mike Kunte's RAKER GAUGES
