Normally I use a round file for the cutters and a flat file for the rakers and I estimate how much I should take off the raker based on how much I took off the cutter, plus or minus a few strokes based on the chip size. I know this isn’t ideal but I never got the depth measure thing working for me well despite reading the sharpening tutorial multiple times. I just sprung for one of those 2-1 sharpeners and here is my question. If I have a saw that I know the rakers are too high or too low (I actually have one of each, my neighbor’s and a saw I just got used) should I not use the 2-1 function of the sharpener until I have the raker’s depth figured out? I’m assuming that it doesn’t really measure the difference in height between raker and cutter, but just takes some off of each at the same rate. I did see that I could pop out one file or the other, so I could take out the flat file for the one that is bogging and take out the round for the one that is spinning, right?
The 2-1 does maintain the same height between raker and cutter. It's what it is designed to do in addition to keeping correct angle on top of tooth if used properly. If the saw is bogging, file the tooth only. Do 3 strokes on each tooth and test. Repeat until you get a good cut. No need to remove flat file. If the saw is not cutting because the rakers are too high, use just a flat file and take the rakers down.
I end up taking the flat file out for 2-3 sharpenings and then putting it back in for 1 sharpening. I love my 2n1 but the flat file works too well. But it is easy to fix!
I wouldnt. Take the flat file out for now. Start out using the 2 in 1 on a new chain. That being said ive never used one of those. I eyeball the rakers and will give a couple strokes on each with the flat file.
I agree. The 2-1 is great but that flat file is a little over ambitious. I’ll start taking out the flat file and use it as needed. Thanks for the suggestion.
The 2-1 should be okay. The top of the tooth is what the guides rest on to set depth of raker and tooth contour. I'd personally use a raker depth gauge and hand file them down if they're too tall. If rakers are too short the 2-1 just won't touch them. The 2-1 does a good job fast. It doesn't pull the rakers down to what my raker file guage from stihl is set for. About ever 2 uses of the 2-1 I go back over the chain with a file and raker file gauge. The 2-1 does a good job fast and easily. But it cuts the chain conservatively, for legal purposes?, and I have to pull the rakers down just to meet Stihls recommended specs. One could pull the rakers down a bit more for an aggressive cut.
I used to use the 2 in 1, and it did get me going, but I finally got away from it and went to free hand filing, and then filing the rakers with various raker gauges, and finally arrived at my favorite, with is the Carlton File-O-Plate, which unfortunately isn't made anymore, but you can still find them on ebay. They are a little pricey but IMHO, they are the best for me. And they are made out of some pretty hard material, as the file doesn't cut into them, unlike the Husky raker gauge.
I don't know, but once I learned how to use them, I bought a couple of extra while I could still find them. I first found out about them by watching Bucking Billy Ray, on youtube. He used them on some of his older sharpening videos.
Boy am I glad you said that. Im pretty sure I have one of those, but was looking at getting the husky cause seemed like that's what people said worked. Ill have to watch some vids, find the carlton and give it a whirl...
Looked up how to use it, and read on a site that it's only for, or best for, carlton chain. I have a mix of stihl, oregon and woodland (baileys brand) chain. Does it really matter or will the file o plate do ok with all?
I have 2 different sizes of the Husquvarna 2 in 1. I take the flat file out until I want the rakers filed down (when the chip size shrinks).
I have used mine for Stihl, Carlton and Oregon chain. It probably won't work on most safety chains (low Kickback chains). Another reason, I won't be buying anymore of those types of chains. Those double rakers are a pain to deal with. However, the 2 in 1 works on the low kickback chains, Ok. At least that's my experience.
