Hand Filing 360, or, How I Came Full Circle after 30 years of Sharpening

MasterMech · Nov 21, 2013

I was just going to mention how so many operators consider chain as disposable.

HDRock · Nov 21, 2013

Oliver1655 said: ↑

Grinders have their place.
- Badly damaged chains: Rocks, metal, stump work, ...
- Raker heights. Use your file & guide to set your reference tooth' raker height. Then I have a 1/4" wheel dressed with a quarter round recess/cove into it on the grinder. Place the reference raker under the wheel then set the depth stop on the grinder & you can do your rakers in no time. I generally have several chains I do at a time.

But so does hand filing! Can file a normally dulled chain on shorter bars as quickly if not faster than changing a chain. On longer bars, if rushed will change the chain, if not, I use the time while I sharpen the chain to have a drink & snack as needed.

*** Note *** This hand sharpening challenged person, ME, recently have become reasonable adapt at hand filing largely due to using a Pfred CS-X/Stihl 2in1 filing system. It setts the raker height at the same time it sharpens. You just have to round over the leading edge occasionally after sharpening has been completed. There are round files on both sides. Sharpen the cutters on one side then just flip the guide over to do the cutters on the other side.

View attachment 4947 Handles are angled to be parallel to the bar. Simple to use. View attachment 4948 In the center: Round, Flat, Round files. The end snaps open to make changing the files easy. At $40 it is twice the price of some of the other filing systems, but since it does the rakers at the same time, it is worth it to me.
Click to expand...

So , what I gather is, I would have to buy one each, of the jig for the different sizes of files I need for the chains I have ,5/32" , 3/16" , 7/32" at $40 each ??
Is that correct ??

Oliver1655 · Nov 21, 2013

In theory yes. However I have the 3/8" guide & it works well with my .404 chain. Once the .404 cutters are down to less than half live, the guide will not be able to rest on the tooth in front. For now, ...

Since at this point I am only using 3/8" & .404 I would not have a problem buying a second guide. It is well built & should last me the rest of my life.

Hinerman · Nov 21, 2013

Oliver1655 said: ↑

*** Note *** This hand sharpening challenged person, ME, recently have become reasonable adapt at hand filing largely due to using a Pfred CS-X/Stihl 2in1 filing system. It setts the raker height at the same time it sharpens. You just have to round over the leading edge occasionally after sharpening has been completed. There are round files on both sides. Sharpen the cutters on one side then just flip the guide over to do the cutters on the other side.

View attachment 4947 Handles are angled to be parallel to the bar. Simple to use. View attachment 4948 In the center: Round, Flat, Round files. The end snaps open to make changing the files easy. At $40 it is twice the price of some of the other filing systems, but since it does the rakers at the same time, it is worth it to me.
Click to expand...

Will I be able to use my (standard) round and flat files in this device or does this device require special sizes files?

Oliver1655 · Nov 21, 2013

No to the flat file, the thickness is dependent on the round file diameters. On the round file, maybe, I will have mine at Charity Cut III. If you are able to make it we will pop it open & compare.

ailanthus · Nov 23, 2013

Reminds me of the old saying "the more you know, the less you need." I think most people could learn to use the file very well if they're used to working with their hands and give it a chance.

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Hand Filing 360, or, How I Came Full Circle after 30 years of Sharpening

MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

HDRock

Oliver1655

Hinerman

Oliver1655

ailanthus