In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Chain sharpening

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Grahamt, May 2, 2018.

  1. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Any pointers or buy a new chain , there £13/£14 for my little saw
     
  2. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    I sharpen them all till there no cutters left. I have a grinder so everything is ground.

    I would buy the files, read the posts here in equipment section. Watch some youtube vids and go for it. If it's already dull it won't matter. You can gand file and then take to a shop to get all the angles back correct or just buy a new one after several hand filings.

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
     
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  3. Dakota Hoarder

    Dakota Hoarder

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    I learned by the chain sharpening totorial on FHC Square filing chains
    Just takes a little practice. Much more convenient to learn to hand file than to run to the store to purchase a new chain everytime your chain goes dull. It's also nice to be able to sharpen in the field if you need to.
     
  4. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Cheers . I have a file read the instructions but it’s still dull
     
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  5. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Is the file sharp? They wear out too.
     
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  6. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Did you lower the rakers? If it's only the first sharpening and you didn't go crazy on metal removal they should be fine
     
  7. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Tried a few times but I’m getting curved cuts so think iv wrecked it
    think I’ll buy a sthil set
     
  8. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Rakers . I’m only on page 1 on the link
     
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  9. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    You have one side sharper or the cutters are different lengths on each side. Not trashed but mayve beyond your ability to correct. A shop can grind it back to spec
     
  10. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    There the little sharkfin like things between the cutters. Some safety chain have double humps some look almost like a cutter themselves it seems like. They hold the chain out of the cut and only allow a gauged amout of wood to be taken by each tooth each pass. If there too low the saw becomes grabby and will bog easily, too tall and the chain won't really cut as it will not allow the cutting tooth to ride deep enough in the cut to take any wood.

    They are just filed with a flat file perpendicular to the chain.


    Also if your on the "square file" link, keep in mind you won't use the same file profile as them your going to use a round file. Other tips are similar between round and square
     
  11. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Iv sacked the square file idea , just watched loads of different videos.
    Chains too slack while sharpening
    Rakes could be too high
    Slack chain has given me curved edges.
    One side is sharper than the other .
    Not been cleaning file or sharpening often enough.
    Basically I need to start from scratch, may as well practice on this chain and see if I can right my wrongs.
     
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  12. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Few quid more and I can buy a new chain.
     
  13. Maina

    Maina

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    Try a pferd file Grahamt , one to fit your chain of course. That will file your teeth and rakers simultaneously. All you need do is hold the proper angle.
     
  14. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Yea forget square!! Only the best sharpeners can even make that work!
     
  15. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Think depth gauge.
     
  16. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Instructions suck. Iv been pushing the file into the tooth but not actually sharpening under the tip of each one properly.so depth is probably off as well
    Learn by your mitsakes
     
  17. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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  18. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Your talking 2 different things from Backwoods. Your file is the wrong size then it should sharpen the side and under the top all at the same time, sounds as if yours is too small. Is this 3/8 low pro chain or .325?...or real 3/8? We can tell you file size once you confirm that.
     
  19. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    Now you’ve got me . Saw says it’s a 3/8 so iv ordered the file above from sthil for my model.
    No point me going any farther if iv got the wrong one.
    Been out to check but it’s too dark.
    First job tomorrow, I’m still ordering proper one for my machine
     
  20. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    What saw is it