Rocked my chain on the 359, and am usually good at field sharpening, but it started to "curve cut" (to the left). I've been told that one side is sharper than the other, but which side if it pulls left? I take my chains into the local Ace (been there forever) and have them done every once in a while, but would like to understand the physics behind this. Thanks.
Same here. I'm real good at getting my chains to cut curves. Just when I think I have it figured out, I screw it up again. Shootin' in the dark.
Left side is removing more wood. There's either dull cutters on the right side or the angles could be off a lot to do it. Check bar rails also for funny wear.
As Mike says, one side of the chain is sharper or has different angles. It can also occur if the bar groove has opened allowing the chain to "lay over", if the rails are not square or if the chain is excessively loose. Since you seem to indicate the chain was already on the bar before the problem occurred, we can rule out running a narrower gauge chain than what the bar calls for.
Thanks everyone...the bar is good and the chain is fairly new...brought it in to be sharpened this morning so will try it out. This is the H80 Husky chain, and I don't like the large wide rakers, so I will go to the H46X type for the standard ones. Prior to getting this saw I was used to Stihl RS for my 029.
I think the issue is you started this by saying, "I rocked the chain". Generally one side gets it much more than the other. The working corner on the bad side often get bent down and it takes a lot to remove enough metal to get the cutter in the correct geometry so it matches the other side. Even if the top plate and corner are sharp, it won't cut correctly. Filing by hand it tough on a badly damaged chain.
I agree...it seemed sharp after I tried to sharpen, but after getting home and really looking at it I could see that the one side was off geometry..just gotta slow down and avoid the ground. Good thing I brought the 029 to finish! Thanks.
Usually one side get rocked worse, you file enough off to get that side sharp then you need to take the same amount off the other side to keep the cutters the same length. Eyeball them or find the shortest cutter, cut a notch in a piece of cardboard & get the other cutters the same length. + Manyt chain cutters have an angle mark at the back edge, try to be as close as you can to that angle. Sometimes rock nail the side of the cutter & you don't notice. With my eyes (even with bi-focals on) I have to use a magnifying glass to look it over . Chain type ? After a good rock hit, then sharpen don't forget to bump the rakers. Make sure when you get it back to check, some sharpeners don't do the rakers.
Like others have said, it is real easy on a damaged chain to get more off from the damaged teeth than the others, and usually one side has most of the damage. Another thing I have noticed is that I'll screw the angle up when I am taking more than 5 strokes on a tooth- like you often have to so when sharpening a rocked chain.
