I finally got a chance to try out my saw with my first attempt at square filing. It was a lousy file to say the least as it was my first attempt, but even with that, I could tell a noticeable difference in how the saw was cutting. Neighbor had a red oak break off about 1/2 up the tree in our last storm and needed help cleaning up. Even my neighbor commented on how fast the saw was cutting. The chain seemed smoother in the cut and was way smoother when limbing off the small branches. I'm totally sold on this square file. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go run my saw into a metal fence post so I can have an excuse to try filing again...
I bought a factory square chain to check them out a long time ago. Fast cutting for sure. It got round filed once dull.
One of the main reasons I like it so much is the smoothness in the cut. Did it spit nice long ribbons? After a couple years hand filing square, when a local used grinder became available, I decided to sell one of my ported saws to buy it. Sure don’t regret that!
Seems like someone could manufacture a “reasonably priced” square grinder. I’ve never checked into them but if’n you gots to sell a couple ported saws for to buy a used one they must be crazy $$$$
I "need" this in my life. I'm seriously considering skipping past a Tecomech round grinder straight to a square. There is one saw Id sell to help fund it.
I recently saw a used one with some SCarr parts go for 650. You'd have to be lightning quick when they come available. Silvey Razur 2 Chainsaw Chain Grinder | eBay SOLD - Simington 451C Mine was an older model, paid 700 w/o stand and w/ one wheel.
It did not spit long ribbons. Course my filing didn't look ANYTHING like what you have in your pictures. My chain is a converted round file. I was just starting to get the hang of it when I ran out of cutters to file. I didn't want to post pics as it was... embarrassing. Now that I understand what the file angles need to be, I have to go back and give it another try. The chain I'm playing with was pretty used up already, so if I hosed it up, I wasn't to worried about it. I don't know if I have enough cutter length to really develop the profile. Unfortunately, we are in full blown tomato canning season now, so I don't get a lot of time to play in the shop. I've probably processed 70 lbs so far and I haven't even made a dent. Stupid tomatoes.
Only saw I'd off is the MS201CE that Kevin ported. Its got 6 tanks on it. With the XS 2511 and XS 241, its just setting there looking pretty.
