What's the most common MISTAKE newbies make while sharpening a chainsaw chain?

[Okie]

This is also not mentioned in the instructions. It's a learning experience. The more you file the duller the chain gets if you do not pay attention to the rakers.
using one of these type file guides and having the wrong size file in the guide and also using one of these type guides and NOT setting the raker depth BEFORE using the guide. (if rakers are too high the file and guide is too high on the tooth when the tooth is worn about 1/2 way back) File is actually dulling the tooth as you file, because the raker is holding the guide and file too HIGH on the tooth. The guide works great to just do a fast touch up of a chain that has 75% or more full size tooth.

The correct size file is usually not marked on the metal guide, just on the paper package.
Oregon 25894 5/32" 4mm Chain Saw Blade File Guide

 

[rtrsam]

Quick glance through the entire thread, I swear this topic comes up every few months...

Mistakes I've made:
Try to file with the wrong size file (I knew it was wrong, it was what I had, 3/16" file, needed 7/32": had to keep a lot of upward pressure on the file to avoid hooking the tooth.
Try to file without a handle: that tang is a pretty sharp little point, even with a rag over it it punches through into the hand.

Mistakes I've seen others make:
Backslope top cutter: not enough down pressure into the tooth (using the right size file, they just let the file ride too high, then it magnifies.
Blaming the rakers (depth gauges) or a "bent bar" (or "bent blade") when the saw cuts crooked.
Use only the center section of the file: the ends of the file are basically brand new but the center section is worn out from short strokes. You paid for the entire file, might as well use the whole thing.
Occasionally rotate the file and knock the filings off it while using it. I'm pretty casual about this but it needs to happen.
File too deep: hook the tooth and start to cut into the top of the drive link. every saw chain I've seen break had been filed like that and the break occurred at a filed drive link.

 

[Hermio]

View attachment 1250227
Here’s one. STIHL and Oregon also used to sell them.

Philbert

You should see the saw that goes on!

 

[pdqdl]

I find with chainsaw stuff a lot of people claim the way they've been doing it for years is the only way to do something.

So true.
Let's not limit that comment to just chainsaw stuff. I'd say that applies to everything humans do. I'd guess that even when folks are advising others how to be more pious, their own method is obviously the best of all.

 

[Ralf1e]

If you file from the outside/edge in on a chainsaw chain the file grabs and bounces because only the outside is hardened, it works better really but is harder to do.
We run the file the opposite way compared to sharpening knifes and stuff simply because it's easier.
I find with chainsaw stuff a lot of people claim the way they've been doing it for years is the only way to do something.

Who told you only the outside edge is hardened? It is all hardened otherwise the inside would be soft as it wears down making it useless. Likewise who is we who run the file the opposite way and what makes you believe you are a majority. I have been sharpening things since before I was in my early teens I am now 71 and I can get an edge on a butter knife so you could shave your arm with it. You do it your way and I'll do it mine without having to knock off the burred over turned up edges.

 

[Brushpile]

Put a handle on my file, set to working it like i should. Well, this morning a big chunk of this evergreen came down on the roof. Fella with a tractor pulled it off and I proceeded to clean it up in a short few. Throwing wide chops in the soft wood seemed easy.

 

[lone wolf]

There's no supporting evidence of that, that I've ever seen. The file is harder then the chain, or it wouldn't cut it. The dulling of the file is from many, many, many strokes against the cutter acting collectively against a rather small sharp area on the file wearing it down. Back dragging the file should be more or less insignificant on the longevity of the file.

What happens to the cutter when back dragging though?

 

[lone wolf]

We were all beginners once , and making mistakes is part of the learning process!

Comment down at-least one MISTAKE (even the SILLY ones!) you've made while sharpening a chainsaw chain (or, you see others making!)

Let me START -

I've done this a few times, and one mistake I made was not setting the rekers to the RIGHT depth after filing the cutters. (I was so focused on filing the teeth, LOL! )

View attachment 1063796

Let's see a pic of your sharpening work, then we will know more.

 

[ZeroJunk]

Let's see a pic of your sharpening work, then we will know more.

Main thing in my opinion is to sharpen it before it is a real problem with a hand file. Keep it out of the dirt. Normally, if it is just dull from cutting about 3 passes with a file will get it back in shape.
If you get in to barb wire or something in the middle of a tree, which is regular here, a machine is pretty much necessary.

Other than that, file it at it's original angle. If you cannot see that it will be difficult to file chains .

Sometimes I sharpen 20 or more chains a day, with a Stihl machine. They are really pretty cool.

 

[Philbert]

Who told you only the outside edge is hardened?

The side plate and the top plate are plated with chrome, which is harder than the cutter.

The chrome plating is for abrasion resistance.

If you file into the chrome, the teeth of the file hit that first. If you file outward, the hard, brittle, chrome layer gets pushed off, sometimes forming a thin burr, which breaks off as soon as the chain is used.

Philbert

 

[sean donato]

What happens to the cutter when back dragging though?

I wouldn't Imagine much of anything note worthy.

 

[Chucksta]

Main thing in my opinion is to sharpen it before it is a real problem with a hand file. Keep it out of the dirt. Normally, if it is just dull from cutting about 3 passes with a file will get it back in shape.
If you get in to barb wire or something in the middle of a tree, which is regular here, a machine is pretty much necessary.

Other than that, file it at it's original angle. If you cannot see that it will be difficult to file chains .

Sometimes I sharpen 20 or more chains a day, with a Stihl machine. They are really pretty cool.

what's a "Stihl machine"?

 

[lone wolf]

what's a "Stihl machine"?

An electric chain sharpener, Stihl is the brand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967611913...1291&msclkid=c577c56d8fbd1e2d6023a2ba064f8662

 

[Chucksta]

An electric chain sharpener, Stihl is the brand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967611913...1291&msclkid=c577c56d8fbd1e2d6023a2ba064f8662

Thanks!! What is it about the Stihl that sets it apart from other brands?

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Thanks!! What is it about the Stihl that sets it apart from other brands?

The retail price.

 

[Hermio]

So true.
Let's not limit that comment to just chainsaw stuff. I'd say that applies to everything humans do. I'd guess that even when folks are advising others how to be more pious, their own method is obviously the best of all.

I once saw a sign that said: "Some people make the same mistakes for years and call it experience".

 

[Sidecarflip]

Thanks!! What is it about the Stihl that sets it apart from other brands?

It costs more....

 

[Sidecarflip]

The most common mistake with hand filing is keeping the filing angles correct and filing each tooth consistently which is why I never hand file and I always machine grind / sharpen all my loops. No way can manual filing consistently replicate what a machine can accomplish. Humans 'wiggle', machines don't.