Excellent! I understand now. I originally thought your shim was somehow going into the bar itself. Thanks for taking the time to post this!
Certainly, you're welcome! Glad the photos made more sense than the written description. By laying the shim on top of the cutters, the carbide sharpening bit is always at the same height relative to the cutters/top plate, and that consistency makes it so much easier to keep the hand filing at a consistent height, as well, over multiple sharpenings.
Just got home with load #2. I’d always heard that “hedge is great firewood if you have a saw that’s man enough to cut it”. The saws are doing great but I’m starting to have some doubts about the guy behind the saw! . It seems to be hard on the chains as well as myself. I may start with 2 new chains on the next load. I cut my wood to 20” lengths. That seems to be best for my stove and available stack space. This is my 20” measuring stick for scale. While I was cutting, the owner came by and asked if I wanted any more hedge. He said pretty soon, he was going to have another piece of the tree cut down and I was welcome to that wood as well. They will cut the other half of this split that is leaning to the left. As tired as I am, I can’t bring myself to turn down hedge. Maybe I’ll recover before they cut down the rest .
I cant get over how close it resembles the black locust we have around here when fresh cut both in color and bark. Ive heard its very hard on chains and saws due to its density. The BL I mentioned above seems to "petrify" when dead/down and dull my chains quickly. It was well worth your effort to grab it. A holy grail score for me. Thought I found a score of it a few years back. Bark and color looked identical, but turned out to be mulberry. If you don't want the other when he cuts it, let me know. Ill be right over!
Those 20” dia. & 20” long rounds are pretty heavy & will definitely wear a fella out. That is a really nice find & look pretty straight for Osage. Save one of those big ones for an anvil block or chopping block.