who hand files square chain in the field?

[046]

newbie to square chains here... love how it cuts but the slightest dirt and it's all over.

it's a pita to hand sharpen square chain in the field and I'm not ready to drop $2k-$3k in a silvey square grinder.

so who sharpens square chain in the field? or do you take dull square chains home to your silvey grinder?

 

[Chopwood]

Once you learn, it's not any harder than filing round.

 

[Diesel JD]

I've been playing with it. I'm not even a professional user really and I'm on my first 2 square chisel chains...well actually one is a Stihl RS sharpened with a 3 corner chisel file...so I don't know if that one even counts. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, I'm not beaking them to the point where they won't cut or hold an edge, but they don't rip like I think they ought to. Still cut pretty darn good though, about as good as one of my round filed chisel chains, would be better with an experienced filer or a grinder, no doubt.

 

[John Ellison]

I file in the woods, but usually only when I run out of preground chains in my pack. Like Chopwood said, it is not harder , just different.

But unless you spend a lot of time on a chain or are one in a thousand filers, it would be hard to beat the perfect chains you get off a grinder.
Dont spend 3000 on a grinder, I've had a RSII for years that puts out a real nice chain.

 

[B_Turner]

I never file in the field. I bring a several chains of each bar size that have been square ground at the shop at my convenience. Pro Sharp makes is pretty quick and easy.

That way I know each and every chain is wicked sharp regardless of how rushed I am or how tired I am or if it's raining or my back hurts or whatever. As soon as a chain starts to fade, I swap in another and cut like mad. I usually cut with at least three saws out, depending on the cut as I buck and rip and block and trim.

Not for everyone I realize, but it makes it easier for me to get a lot done in the least amount of time with the least amount of physical effort cause it is all hard enough as it is. My saws all eat wood like there is no tomorrow and that is what I like.

 

[Tzed250]

Me

I learned to sharpen square chain by hand, its not that hard, just need to get the knack. I thing it gets you more involved with the chain.

 

[rbtree]

I think the original poster was referring to square filing square chisel chain...which can be filed with a round file.

I square file in the field...don't have a grinder anyhow. I'm finally getting half decent, I think.

 

[BC_Logger]

just learn how to file its a good skill to develop

 

[046]

RBtree, good to hear someone using square chain successfully without a grinder.

just wanted to see if others are hand filing in the field and are fast/good enough to make it worthwhile.

hmmm... better get practicing..

would someone please post how they file in the field.
position of saw, if you tighten up chain before filing, which file style used, etc.

pic's please!!!

I think the original poster was referring to square filing square chisel chain...which can be filed with a round file.

I square file in the field...don't have a grinder anyhow. I'm finally getting half decent, I think.