New chain?

Dull

Sharp

 

Ya
I was just throwing out some close #s in inches that most would understand. Thousandths is splitting hairs
I've eyeballed it for 35 years so its second nature what they need to be. I'll file differently knowing I'm cutting one species predominantly or for softwood . Too technical to get into for most on here and likely confusing.

 

The husky guides are cheap and work well.
Makes it easy to keep a good all around firewood chain.

 

Sounds like new files are in order, at minimum.

Don't cheap out on those. Even good Stihl files need throwing away on a semi-regular basis with semi-regular use. As soon as you start filing with a new one of those, you will realize how bad your old one was.

Looks like maybe a file guide might be needed too? I don't see any hook at all there. Also doesn't look like much taken off the rakers - just study up some of the 'sharp' pics that were posted.

 

My cheapo set came with three sized round files. I took the middle path figuring I’d be least likely to screw things up, but those sharp photos look sharpened all the way down the side of the cutter, rather than the top edge my medium file was honing in on. Maybe I should try the larger round file?

 

If its standard 3/8 chain the file should be 7/32. What part of Maryland are you in? I'm less then a minute from MD30 in south central PA if your close and would like a hand figuring out fileing I could help.

 

I appreciate the offer; an attestation to the great folks on here. Unfortunately, I’m in Silver Spring, so that would be a bit of a hike.
Checking the specs on the kit, I should be using the large (7/32) file. Let me give it another whirl and we’ll see how the chips fly this time.

 

The right size is a start. Technique will come into play big also - even with a small file, there should be some hook that I'm not seeing in the pics.

 

Almost looks like maybe that chain got hot at one point? I know I've had chains that got hot and then after that some of the links the file just skated right across without cutting in...gotta keep working those until you feel the file start to "take a cut"...

 

I just realized the rest of my post was not posted. I used the Granberg File-n-Joint to sharpen that chain.

Yea! It seems like once a chain gets hot it is harder to get the file to get a bite. I have gotten so I touch up my chain freehand after every tankful or two seems to help!

 

I definitely got it hot the first time I took it for a spin. I smoked all the lettering off the bar as I cut some silver maple to length. I don’t think the chain had ever been sharpened. I was like, “using a chainsaw is way more work than I thought it was going to be.”

 

LOL I’ve got one of those I was using to clear a field line and and drainage ditch.
The funny part is even though I rocked it a few times it kept cutting.

 

Alright, I took another wail on the chain with the files. I didn’t see any mark to denote the end of the useful life of the cutters, but as mentioned, there is still plenty of meat on there. I noticed the cutters sharpened from the left side, were shorter than the ones sharpened from the right. Does that mean the previous owner of the saw/chain was left handed.
Hopefully I didn’t take too much off the rakers. Instead of using the gauge from my cheapo set, I lay the file between two cutters and estimated three hairs width of depth.. I know, real precise. I’ll just be real careful when I cut into the silver maple tomorrow. If it is too grabby, i’ll just sharpen the cutters after a tank and see if it mellows out.
Hopefully the photos aren’t terrible:

 

Looks like it is still not getting down on the sides of the cutter enough, top plate still doesn't have much hook angle. As far as one side being longer that the other, if a chain is always hand sharpened, that usually happens, difference in filing pressure from one hand to the other. That will also. Make the chain cut crooked or curved. A grinder is the best way to even up the cutters. About every 3rd hand filing, I will true up with grinder.

 

Just for reference the average thickness of a human hair is .004”

All things considered you would probably be well served buying a new chain to learn on. Sounds like that ones been through the gates of hell and back. Not saying it’s shot by any means but start with a known quantity. Once you know how the saw is supposed to cut you can gauge your sharpening skills.
Take a good look at the bar while your at it. If it got hot enough to burn the lettering off it may be damaged also. Dull chains eat bars. Squareness is usually the first to go.

Hard to say but it looks like your file is riding way too high on the tooth. A new chain will also allow you to set up your jig to the proper height and angle also. No filing, just set it up.

 

Great advice

 

Get a holder/guage for your files.

I have one and never use it, find it a pain - but even if you only use it on a couple of teeth, it should show you how deep you need to be with your file, and proper angle. Then maybe you can freehand it from there.

Still not much hook on there, as said above. File too high along with maybe too small.

 

I see what you are saying about lacking hook, and probably needing a new bar and chain, but I’ll give it a couple more go’s, since I figure this is a good practice chain to learn on. Then maybe return it to the owner with a new bar.. this thing is a loaner that was purchased used. Great for practicing, right?
The two photos were both after sharpening and the ‘sharpen from the right side’ had both more cutter left, and resulted in better hook when sharpening. I was tempted to keep working the left side until the hook was better, but since it was already shorter I stopped once the top edge looked ok.
Some noodling and cutting planned for after work today on some silver maple, i’ll Let you know how it goes.

 

Good advice..."training wheels" needed until you learn "how to ride"...heck I still use a holder.

Yeah, except its nice to get familiar with how things are supposed to be before tackling one that needs so much work (potentially) or maybe even just flat worn out. (the bar groove and the "tangs" of the chain that ride down in the groove, not so much the teeth)

 

If you check out all the pics close, you should see (I think - some of them are bit hard to make out) that the sharp teeth others have posted are filed the whole tooth length, to the bottom. Whereas yours are only sharpened the top half or so. The file should fill the whole gullet, kinda sorta, that makes your hook. It might not with a new full height chain, but one that worn it should.