Sharpening Thread

I didn't know if there was any interest over here for chain sharpening. Here's some pictures of sharp cutters and the filing vise I got from homelite410 on AS.

There's a square ground cutter


square filed


square filed again


Filing vise


round filed cutter

 

I mostly use save edge round files and bahco chisel bit files from auto tool world. They have them the cheapest of any one.

 

What do you use to set the raker height?

 

Mostly eye ball. I have an oregon gauge that rides on 2 cutters and the raker pokes out of it and you file it flat with the gauge. They say the file-o-plate works better but I've not tried one. A digital angle finder works pretty good also. Depending on the saw 5-6° works good.

 

I'll try to get some pictures of semi chisel to go along with those.

 

The Husky roller guide has a progressive raker gauge that has worked well for me, because it drops as the tooth is removed, as opposed to just 25 or 30 thou below cutter height..

 

I forgot about it.

 

Hedge, I hope you will be able to take some time to educate me more on your sharpening techniques the next time we do a charity cut.

 

I'm not even sure I own a round file! I sharpen all my stuff on the grinder.

 

All we gotta do is get a couple of volunteers to run our splitters while we drink coffee and talk chain...

 

If ya know how to use it, they can do a great job too!!!
The key is to know what you're doing, and WHY you do it...
I'll bet mike could sharpen a chain with a snag grinder..

 

Shucks Hedge, I bet we would have folks just jumping out of the grass for the pleasure of using our splitters. I think I will stick to a cola, never was a coffee drinker. Matter of fact, I'm sure there will be an extra can or case in case you want one or two.

 

Files are a consumable item. If they're dull toss them and grab another.

 

Great pictures !
Hand filing sharpens better

Made a vice/ bench top for sharpening. Top clamps to workbench.
I leave the same chain on till it's done
(unless when out cutting it hit something.)
After each cord +/-, I clean & file, ready for next trip .

Been using Stih RS,
Next year trying Oregon LGX (when the RS is used up.)
Of the 2, I think the RS holds an edge better.



Old vs New

 

Amen to that... If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a dull file...

From my experience, the RS has a thicker chrome plate on top, thus making it hold an edge better,
But.......
I can make LGX and LPX cut faster... And they're easier on your files.
For the exact same reason...
I'm happy to use any of them... Just really don't like the Vanguard chain... Very not happy with it right now...
Those goofy rakers just suck...

 

Dull file, knife, chain, or any cutting utensil. I've stopped and changed chains after a face cut with a real grabby one also.

Oregon is good if you're going to square file. That chrome is hard on files with the stihl chain.

 

Here's the silvey RS II.



Hand filing square