Who sharpens there chains with a file still?
- Thread starter dahmower
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Freakingstang
Doctor Freakinstein
you think a round file is hard? Good luck, it takes practice. I sharpen all my chains with a chisel bit (square) file
wkpoor
Addicted to ArboristSite
I still do but thats because I haven't broke down and bought a grinder to sharpen square grind which is all I use now. So yes I fill all my own only square.
wdchuck
Addicted to ArboristSite
Time, patience, perseverance. If you don't have a file guide of sorts, get one, matched to the file size.
Search " hand filing " on this site, and pull up a pot of coffee, lots of threads with some excellent info, pictures.
I gave it up and bought a grinder 3 years ago!! First I bought one from harbor freight that was pissing money away!! Now I have one from northern tool paid 90.00 for it and it's great I'd buy another one if this one takes a dump on me even if I had to borrow the money!!
sawinredneck
Addicted to ArboristSite
Once you learn it, you will never go back! Hand filling is so much better than a ground chain!
BrotherBart
ArboristSite Lurker
What he said. :agree2:
Blazin
Addicted to ArboristSite
Aaah...I've Never had the need of using a grinder on a saw chain. Great until your 2 miles back in with a dull chain and/or carry spares with ya. It's not as hard as it looks fellas, find someone that knows how and let them show you the way. By the time you get that chain off your saw or fire up one of them dremel dodads, I'll be back in the pile throwin chips! 
Seriously though, It's something that you should know how to do if your gonna run a saw
Seriously though, It's something that you should know how to do if your gonna run a saw
Swamp Yankee
Addicted to ArboristSite
+1
Filing is the only way to go.
Haven't had a chain ground in over 30 years. Have rocked a few that made me think about it, but its amazing how fast a sharp new file can correct things.
Take Care
sdaly
ArboristSite Operative
I've tried every method and for me hand filing is still the best way to go. Simple, effective, compact and portable, cost effective, and I don't find it difficult at all. I have one of those fancy filing guides that clamps to the bar, as well as one of those Dremel-type sharpeners both sitting in a drawer collecting dust. I've used a grinder and fortunately never bought one. On the rare occasion I think I need my chains ground someday then I'll just take it to the local shop. But my compact hand filing kit works fine otherwise.
savageactor7
ArboristSite Guru
Hand file here...quit using the guide years ago when I got the hang of it.
Just saying I kind of rotate the file between my thumb and forefinger a half turn as I draw it across the chain. I think that helps get a nice even bite out of the chain.
Just saying I kind of rotate the file between my thumb and forefinger a half turn as I draw it across the chain. I think that helps get a nice even bite out of the chain.
excess650
Addicted to ArboristSite
What he said!!!! I started sharpening with a clamp-on guide, and it works pretty well. If you watch what it forces you to do, you'll be able to do the same with a file and no guide. It takes a bit of practice, but a chain doesn't have to be perfect from tooth to tooth to cut firewood. A perfectly sharpened, even chain will cut smoother and faster, but will dull just the same.
I trashed part of one side of a chain this weekend.:censored: Not having another chain that size with me, I sat down with a file and had it sharp enough to finish what I was doing in about 5 minutes. There were a couple of guys watching and just shook their heads not thinking the chain was salvageable. It'll take another sharpening or two to get it closer to ideal, but it beats throwing it away or paying someone else to try and sharpen it.
Oh, and I DID buy one of those Northern Tool grinders, and while it works OK, I prefer to just sharpen with a file. For me the file is quicker. I've never blued a cutter:censored: (from overheating) when sharpening with a file.
sawinredneck
Addicted to ArboristSite
More to think about, I have had chains "profesionally" ground. YUP, burnt and blue.
I have used the clamp on guide, nice, but if you don't have everything set right, you can't "feel" if you are messing the chain up more, or doing it right.
Useing the deal that clamps on the file caused me more grief than anything. The files don't seem to go as deep as needed.
Try hand filing again. It's easier on 3/8"s chain, without a chain all rocked out. You can get the feel of where the file should be and the right angle. A rocked out chain, yeah thats tough to start. Once you get it you wont be as hard on chains either. It's easy to file a dull chain, it's a bear on rocked chains!!
I can do 32" loops in a half hour or so.
I can't set up and grind one that fast.
I have used the clamp on guide, nice, but if you don't have everything set right, you can't "feel" if you are messing the chain up more, or doing it right.
Useing the deal that clamps on the file caused me more grief than anything. The files don't seem to go as deep as needed.
Try hand filing again. It's easier on 3/8"s chain, without a chain all rocked out. You can get the feel of where the file should be and the right angle. A rocked out chain, yeah thats tough to start. Once you get it you wont be as hard on chains either. It's easy to file a dull chain, it's a bear on rocked chains!!
I can do 32" loops in a half hour or so.
I can't set up and grind one that fast.
PA Plumber
Addicted to ArboristSite
Grinder does an excellent job.
Round file is better.
If I have a lot of felling and limbing to do, I hand file.
For firewood cutting, where I might get into some dirt and stuff, I just throw on a new chain. If the tree is clean, hand file.
I have been grinding chains for a while now. Still can't grind one as sharp as a hand file will make it.
Round file is better.
If I have a lot of felling and limbing to do, I hand file.
For firewood cutting, where I might get into some dirt and stuff, I just throw on a new chain. If the tree is clean, hand file.
I have been grinding chains for a while now. Still can't grind one as sharp as a hand file will make it.
Rookie1
Addicted to ArboristSite
I do and im not good at it. Its hit or miss. But thats the way I hope to learn.
Moss Man
Addicted to ArboristSite
Still using good ole round files here.
i only grind em on my dads machine. i dunno much about filiing them but i tell you when i get em off the grinder it cuts fast and the chips are HUGE!
Bowtie
Gearhead
Hand file, cheaper for me, sharper, and Im not in that big of a hurry.
I hand file without guides ... but every now and then (about twice in the life of the chain) I have them machine sharpened at the dealer to bring them back into spec - usually this is after I hit some wire or rock out and filing back into spec is just too big of a job.
