In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Chain Sharpening Issues

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by firecracker_77, Apr 21, 2014.

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  1. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    After. .. Saws are away. We can show you that with a file :)

    I'm bringing my grinder and generator so I don't have to bring 50 loops. Plus, I am bringing a Oregon chain grinder as a door prize/race prize, raffle for the forum, etc..
     
    DexterDay, Apr 21, 2014
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  2. bogydave

    bogydave

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    Yea , know what you are saying, want to go test your work :)

    You are on the right track. Learn by doing. It's pays off in experience ! !

    I lay a straight edge across the top of 2 cutters & see how much below it the raker is.
    Put a new chain on & look (for a reference), seems to me
    there's more space from the top of the cutter & the raker than a guy initially thinks.

    I'm like Sinngetreu, every 3rd (normal) sharpening, one pass on the rakers with a flat file.
    If I have a chain that needs more than just a touch up sharpening, I check the rakers
     
    bogydave, Apr 22, 2014
    #22 Top
  3. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    It was the rakers. Saw works fine now. Noodled a bunch of large maple rounds and some oak for good measure. Chain still is sharp although not as sharp as an hour ago. I think I got the basics. Just need to perfect taking the smallest amount off the chain and rakers as possible to get a good edge.

    Also figured out my 441 starting issues. The fully depressed choke switch is tricky, but once you get it locked, it fires no problem. I was trying to start in the middle position and was having a heck of a time. Glad that issue is resolved. Makes me like this saw better now.
     
    firecracker_77, Apr 22, 2014
    #23 Top
    Hedgerow, MasterMech, Pallet Pete and 1 other person like this.
  4. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Awesome! Late night cutting here means late night neighbors yelling loudly....
     
    Pallet Pete, Apr 22, 2014
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  5. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    The wood is at my office. No one else around at night here. No residential. I wonder if filing the rakers with the electric grinder is bad for the wheel.
     
    firecracker_77, Apr 22, 2014
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  6. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    You generally do not use the same wheel on the rakers that you did on the cutters.

    About that starting/choke switch: squeeze the trigger and use your thumb (you are right handed right?). To push the switch all the way down. Release the trigger and THEN the switch and it should stay, first time, every time.

    It's a muscle memory for me now, I could do it underwater with both hands tied and my azz on fire.:rofl: :lol:
     
    MasterMech, Apr 22, 2014
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  7. bogydave

    bogydave

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    YES ! Bad thing.
    Sized & shaped to sharpen the cutters .( different bits for different sizes of chain
     
    bogydave, Apr 22, 2014
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  8. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    I struggled with the switch on that saw for sometime. Much easier to start my 290 and 192 for some reason. The switch is goofy on the 441. I view that as an area they could improve...or maybe it's just me. :(

    I wonder how low you can take the rakers without screwing up the cut. I think the amount I took off last night was about right. Was cutting great.
     
    firecracker_77, Apr 22, 2014
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  9. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    Ok...back to hand filing then for those. Shame though. It was really quick and easy with the wheel.
     
    firecracker_77, Apr 22, 2014
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  10. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    You're correct in that the switch has a much softer/more flexible feel to it. Funny how Stihl has played with this aspect over the years, many slight variations in the design of the switch lever but all operate similarly. The momentary off position on my 261 is the first major change to how the master control lever operates since it was first introduced.
     
    MasterMech, Apr 22, 2014
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  11. nate

    nate Banned

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    I have had two of the HF calibers and they chew through batteries. It has some sort of auto on sensor when you move it. Great but it seems that everytime i go in the toolbox they were on.

    Also the measurements aren't very trustable. Measure something 5 times and it gives you 5 different measurements.... And I don't mean within a thou or so.
     
    nate, Apr 22, 2014
    #31 Top
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