Author Topic: Filing tips (Read 2226 times)

blue_eyed_devil · « **on:** September 14, 2003, 10:02:33 pm »

Sorry about the trivial questions but ......., I've got the EM file guides that come in the Husqvarna filing kit. My skills seem to have improved but I'm wondering if there is a certain brand of file I should try, that will last longest. I bought one today at HomeHardware (Benchmark 5/32) which is swiss made.Also have a Nicholson.
How many sharpenings should I expect out of one file.
Will a chainsaw file get plugged with filings if they are not wire brushed??

IndyIan · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2003, 09:09:56 am »

You may have already noticed this but you can rotate the guide around the round file to use all of it. Also don't drag the file back on the chain on your back stroke.

As for files, I can't say I've used anything other than oregon and they seem to hold up ok for me. I saw some round files at home depot that seemed to be really coarse, like twice as coarse as the oregon ones. Finer files leave a better edge on the cutters and which helps them cut more efficiently and stay sharp longer.

Ian

Kevin · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2003, 06:16:32 pm »

Here is some info on Oregon files ...
http://www.oregonchain.com/pdf/accessories/Files_FB_0403.pdf

a little more ...
http://www.oregonchain.com/tech/manual_maint.htm

burlman · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2003, 09:05:55 pm »

store your files seperatly if you are carting them around in your tool box. when they bang around into each other they seem to wearout pretty quick. Us chipchewers who are filing steady day in and out usually don't use a file guide, so were more apt to use all the sides of the file more evenly. Yes they must be cleaned frequently, you are getting filings and chain oil residue mixing together. I usually give it a quick wipe on my sleeve after each tooth is complete. I also like to buy my files by the dozen, it is cheaper, and then I'm not trying my patience using a file that has passed it's life span, pitch it and enjoy a new one...burlman...

Oregon_Rob · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2003, 10:48:13 am »

Under the premise of general filing tips. (Seems obvious, but for a long time I never thought about this one)
One of the things that improved my filing the most was putting the saw in a good, solid, bench vise. I used to wrestle around with the saw, but once I clamped the bar in nice and tight, at a good height, I got a whole lot better. The stump vise is good for the field, but at home, only the bench vise will do.

Gus · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2003, 08:11:23 pm »

Pferd files is the best I've ever used. Baily's carries them buy the dozen or singles I believe.
Gus

Captain · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2003, 05:40:53 am »

This comment is probably obvious, but I did not learn it when I was younger.

Saw chain is chrome plated on the top, and the plating is very hard. When filing, file TOWARD the tip, from the "inside" of the cutter. Also, as mentioned already, do not drag the file back. If you file "backwards", the file will not last one trip around the chain without being noteably dull.

Invest in a good depth guage guide and flat file to keep those depth guages at .025 as you file away the tooth.

Captain

blue_eyed_devil · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2003, 09:07:21 am »

Thanks to all, .....great advice!

Slofr8 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2003, 02:10:12 am »

I havn't cut profesonaly for a dozen years but I still like Pferd files. I slide it into a piece of rubber gas line to keep it from rubbing on other tools when not in use.
Get that file down into that tooth so the top of the tooth is sticking out over the groove. WAY out. When I started cutting over 20 years ago I had an old Canadian logger watch me file and said I should learn to file with both hands. Right hand for one side, left hand for the other. I took the time to make this feel comfortable for me and have to say it makes a difference. Even if He and I are the only ones I've seen do this!

Good luck. Dan.

Kevin · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2003, 05:51:32 am »

Dan;
I'm not sure I agree with your filing method.

Are you saying ... keep the file below the top plate?

Slofr8 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2003, 08:55:29 am »

Hi Kevin,
rereading my post it looks like I ment that but,no.
What I do is first is apply light pressure right on the cutting edge, letting the file ride high on the tooth untill I see the angle and shape I want, maybe 3 or 4 strokes depending on the condition. Then I focus the presure down into the tooth, getting that "hook". When I see a thin, paper like piece forming on the cutting edge I know that's as sharp as this puppy is going to get. I don't know exact angles or any thing but I know what works for me on the type of wood I cut.
That old Canadian I mentioned had a reputation in camp as being a great filer. He knew how to minamize (sp?) effort to maxamize production.
I don't think I do it any different than anyone that does it every day. It becomes second nature and the tooth just seems to end up looking right.
What I usually notice when I see somebodys chain that has not done a lot of fileing is a tooth that slopes back from bottom to top with very little "hook". Thats what I ment about getting the file down into the tooth. Take care. Dan.

ohsoloco · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2003, 09:48:08 am »

Okay, why start a new thread when I have a filing question as well. Today I filed my chain with the file guide set to the manufacturer's specs...the biggest change was setting the angle of the file from "level" to ten degrees. Now when I run the file across the tooth, the file also puts a little groove in the link...I'm a little concered about this, whuddaya think

Kevin · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2003, 10:18:10 am »

What type of guide?

Slofr8 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2003, 11:09:42 am »

I never use a guide but when I get down to, say, the last 1/2 or 1/3 of the chain I seem to get into the link as well. Never enough to cause the link to brake but in order to keep the angles I like, this always happens.
Take care. Dan.

Kevin · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2003, 03:38:24 pm »

Dan, you might consider stepping down one size in files as you near the back of the cutters.

ohsoloco · « **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2003, 04:59:51 pm »

Well, I'm not at home, so I have limited information about the guide. The name on the side of the guide says "File 'n Joint", it was a guide my father had, and I ran across it a few years ago in the shop. It looks to be all aluminum, and it clamps onto the bar and allows you to adjust the angle of the file in two planes. The file clamps in, and is guided by a rod on top of the guide. Not sure if this is enough info. :-/

Oregon_Rob · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2003, 05:04:43 pm »

ohsoloco
I have run into the same thing and I just file pretty much close to 0° and have not seen a problem in the way the chain cuts. I would be interested to hear from others.

Rob

Kevin · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2003, 05:11:22 pm »

That's enough.
Could it be that you might need to raise it on the bar a bit?
I have had that happen as well and it's no big deal as long as you don't gouge the links too much.
One thing I did when I first bought mine was sharpen one side then take it off the bar, turn it and do the other side.
Then one day it dawned on me ... why are you taking it off the bar when it pivots! :-/
I use a small stick with a pen mark on it so I can measure up from the bottom of the bar to the guide then check both ends of the guide with the stick.
It goes on the same every time and it takes some guess work out of mounting it to the bar.

Rob,
LG and some others require 10o side plate hook.

ohsoloco · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2003, 06:19:22 pm »

Kevin, I would do the same thing with the guide...just realized I can pivot the file the other day

I'll have to play around with it and see if I can get it to miss the link. It has a screw to move the file up and down, so I always adjust it so it just "tucks into" the tooth. How crucial is this ten degrees? I'm using some stihl chain right now, but the new ones I have are husky 73L-something (not home right now)....it's low vibration chain.

Minnesota_boy · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2003, 06:24:33 pm »

I wouldn't worry too much about filing a bit into that side link. As you look at the link, where you file into it there is a fair amount of meat compared to around the rivet at the end of each link. I've had them break at the rivet but not where I filed into them.

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Author Topic: Filing tips (Read 2226 times)