Chain sharpening tutorial.

When i sharpen my chains i always struggle with keeping the angles right. I use the file guide stihl makes that goes on the file its self. But still my angels suck

 

One of the best things you can try to do is to push in a straight line.
Lay the file with the guide on the tooth, adjust to your 30 deg top plate and imagine a laser straight line along the file and extending towards the direction you are filing. Push the file along this straight line, with out deviating in any direction. Repetition of this exact line will give you a razor sharp tooth.

Its not easy to begin with, but with muscle and coordination memory, it gets monumentally easier.

 

I have seen an older logger and his truck driver both make the folding motion with a twist of their wrist as they push the file never seen that before? Not sure if its something down in their area that just keeps getting passed on or if anyone else does it?

 

Twisting of the wrist wont help you get a sharper edge. Most that file that way say its to rotate the file and use the whole file, keeping wear even.

I say its one more thing that complicates an already difficult task (for most).

Concentrating on a straight line at the tooth and repeating it over and over again and again .............. seems simple, yet can be one of the most challenging tasks to some

 

Agreed... To get a truly sharp corner, ya need a straight movement..
That's why the old Grandberg file-n-joints produce such repeatable results.

 

I have been using a FERCAD filing jig for years but have never been quite satisfied with the edges I get. I think I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. I was using one hand on the file while sharpening the chain. I started using two hands, one on each end of the file, and I am now getting a much better results. It seems by using two hands on the file, one maintains a constant pressure on the filing stroke giving a sharper edge on the chain. The FERCAD is similar to the Granburg file-n-joint unit. I hope this helps others that may have been having problems. I could also be a slow learner when it comes to sharpening chains

 

Large T handles for tap sets work well on the ends of the file.

 

Quick question, I have a chain the has some really uneven rakers after someone, not me, did a horrible job touching them up after sharpening. What's the quickest way to get them all back to the same height? My grinder has a fixed head on it so it can't be rotated and used to grind them all to the same height. I guess I could measure and find the lowest one and then one by one file each one by hand or use a dremel.

 

You have a depth gauge? I would see the variations. If the lowest one is real low you might not want to do that. One or two grabby teeth is better than a whole chain of them. Find and mark the highest half and maybe file them down?

I guess it depends on how broad the span is and how many are jacked up?

 

I've only done 2 or 3 chains on my Roughneck grinder and I have not been happy with the results. The chain will not self feed. I think I am not getting enough hook on the chain? I've tried 30, 60, 0. I've checked the angles on my grinder with an angle finder to make sure they are right. Any ideas what I may be doing wrong?

Here is a pic of a ground chain



Here is one that I filed

 

Looks like the wheel is not coming in at a steep enough angle on the grinder?

 

That is 60* verified with an angle finder. I found where Stihl said to use a 40* side plate angle and then I have seen where they say to use 60*. I keep reading were everyone is using 30-60-0 so I am confused

 

I use 60 on my grinder.

I am still fine tuneing mine in. It will self feed but not like I want.

How are your rakers? They look good but what they measure?

 

The rakers are .025." Here is that chart I was referring to.

http://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent/CMSFileLibrary/instructionmanuals/USG_sawchainangles_chart.pdf

I had a chain that had been rocked out on a saw I got. I lost a lot of cutter getting it back in shape. When I checked the rakers they were .050." I used a 40* side plate angle on that chain, I guess I'll have to waste some more cutter to get the rakers to .025."

 

Believe it or not, the tilt on the table can make or break a self feeding chain.
Try using the tilt @ 10 Degrees with the same other two settings without touching the rakers yet.

 

I am going to use the tilt on my table next chain I do. I saw some posts this week about it and where you posted about it.

Next chains I do gonna use the tilt.

 

I'll try that but when I file a chain I don't use any tilt. What would be the difference on a grinder?

 

With a hand file, you can controll the hook.
With the grinder, the tilt works with the arm angle and base angle to give the proper hook

 

Here is my 511A set to 55/30/0 (no tilt)

Chain needs decent pressure to feed