So I have been filing my own chainsaw chains on my Makita 14" XCU03 36V cordless. I'm so happy I got this thing. Having already been a fervent supporter of the Makita platform I already own a ton of batteries (but that didn't stop me from getting even more), it was an easy decision to go with this saw. Initially when I started sharpening, I made all the rookie mistakes. I used the wrong size file (twice), I oversharpened, I didn't file the rakes, my angle was off and I ended up breaking a few chains because I filed the links by accident and basically I wasn't doing a good job of getting the chain sharp. After watching a lot of Buckin' Billy Ray Smith videos on youtube, getting the right file size for my chain (even though Makita says one thing and Oregon says another), I'm now using a 5/32". Not only did I make the mistake once but I guess I made it twice because of the confusion and also tried a 3/16" file but that was also too big. I tried using the Stihl chainsaw sharpener initally and that came with 13/64" files (says it's made for 3/8" pitch chains) but that was way too big. Just bought a stump vise because getting into my garage (I mean shed for all intents and purposes) with the splitter, generator, wood chipper, 4 bicycles, 3 scooters, and god knows what else was super cramped using the bench vise. I like the bench vise because it forces you to not use so much......force.....I had a couple of rounds piled on top of each other to get a comfortable height to work with. I think the chips speak for themselves...when you can sharpen a chain and get chips like that....and make 6 dozen cuts through cherry, black locust, linden, pine, spruce, and still just need a slight touchup with the file, I call that progress. I just bought 12 new chains....hit a couple of rocks whilst cleaning up after Hurrican Isaias....trashed a few chains.....and now I finally think I have enough chains to keep up with sharpening......and yet be able to whip out a new one just in case of an emergency......Bought a new bar and have a spare on order. You never know when a bar is going to get trashed.....
I have a stump vise, but I'm not a big fan of them. I think they would work best on really small saws like yours. Big saws have too long of a bar, and the heights often don't match up with the stump vise opening. Balance can also be tricky. Especially if big dogs are used. I ended up using a small vise I got at a flea market and I mounted in to a receiver tube, so I can slide the vise into a 2" receiver. I wouldn't mind having a little lightweight battery saw for those times when you don't want to start up a gas model, and for small de-limbing jobs. I bought two Dolmars from this guy in the past. This seems like a decent little saw. Makita owns Dolmar. chain saws: Curtis Collectibles
Ah that makes sense. Yeah the Makita is nice and light.....even loaded up with (2) 5.0 aH batteries....and man that thing rips now. I've used it on HUGE rounds 28" in diameter and while obviously not as easy as a 14" round it still got the job done. It's very quiet, the batteries last quite a while once you dial in the chain tension properly. Initially I had my chain way too tight which ran the motor down way quicker than now. I didn't want a gas one because it's just more maintenance with the oil and fuel mixing and I felt with all the batteries I had it just made sense to get this one. With the low profile chain I haven't really had much kick back at all. I still wear chaps, gloves, and a helmet with a screen at all times. I have no intentions of becoming a statistic. I've used it for de-limbing as well but don't be fooled by it's short bar....this thing will do some damage, albeit a little slower than the big gas boys......
They make a 16" bar for the same unit but I'm pretty happy with the 14".....and since I already have 16 chains or so.....I'll hang on to the 14" for a while here.....
Good progress. 12 chains should last a really long time if you are only hand filing. Like 100 cords of bucking long time. Taking time when cutting will save time in sharpening.
Thanks. Yep, I have to learn to be more patient....I am learning that lesson in welding as well although I only have about 45 minutes in that project thus far. I'm definitely moving the stick too fast but I will get there. I tell you I don't know that I enjoy many things more than smelling fresh sawdust from a chainsaw and experiencing all the smells of the different woods. So satisfying in the moment and also knowing that it's not over yet and I will enjoy the wood again when it goes into the fireplace....
Oh wow. That will last you a long time. I only have one chain for my main saw right now and it has cut up over 15 cord of wood so far and still has more life to go. Nice job of the filing. I am still learning as I go.
I bought a spare bar and chain for my smaller saw. I cranked the oiler up and stopped trying to be frugal/environmentally conscious with the bar oil and that spare bar and chain will probably stay in their packages for some time. After I wore the first bar out of course. I learned early on keeping the chain sharp and touching it up after a bit instead of waiting till the end of the day ends up being a lot less work. Same idea as with keeping the pool clean. A little bit every day saves a big chore on the weekend.
Oilers can be adjusted? Duh. That can reduce storage leakage, right? I'll be looking into that, for sure.
Some can. You might want a little more or less for bar length, you might want a little more or less depending on the viscosity/temp of the oil you're using. Is the storage leakage the oil from use dripping off it or seepage from a not emptied for storage oil reservoir ? I think some saws just seep, although I've never had that problem. I don't drain the last little bit from the (oil) tank even though some say you should.
I never empty my oil tanks and some wet the bed. Adjusting the flow rate won't help the seepage. Sometimes cracking the cap when you're done will let some pressure out and then when it cools a slight vacuum will develop holding in the oil.
IMO this cutter needs more hook, so the file should be overall lower in the tooth. This would help the chain “self feed” better.
I don't know how Buckin' Billy Ray Smith can keeep up with the 30+ chainsaws he has. Each has a different bar length, pitch, link count, etc......I can barely keep track of which chains are sharp and which need to be sharpened....and that's easy! With the storm damage I have a ton of oak that is in the babbling brook on my property. Rocks everywhere and just a tangled mess. Plus the slope is quite sever. Waiting for my new Pfanner Protos helmet to arrive before tackling that job. There's quite a few large branches dangling above that are either completely snapped or just barely hanging on. Yeah I will do a better job of that. Thanks for the input.
