You'd think I'd have known better than to not clean my chainsaw bars....But I'm a noob and I'm going with that excuse! I know, I know....I'm preaching to the choir..... Just cleaned both bars on the Makita and the Stihl. Used a file and cleaned up some minor mushrooming as well. But man I was pretty shocked at how much gunk there was in the channel of the bars. I'm pretty sure this is why my chain on the Stihl gummed up the other day and I couldn't move it until I broke it free with a file.......And probably the reason why the Makita sometimes just shuts off and goes into "inoperable mode" with the lights flashing...... Going forward every time I change a chain I will be cleaning the grooves in the bar.....and flipping the bar.....and making sure the oil holes are clear..... Little brother and big brother all cleaned up and ready to go.... Woo hoo! Except I processed every round I have.....so nothing to use the saws on. I guess it's time to find some more wood! First pic is one side and there was more on that side as well. Yuck!
Thanks for the tip. I will try that next time. I'll throw one into my chainsawing tool bag. Easier not to lose vs that tiny screwdriver! Yeah I believe I mentioned flipping the bar. Is that what you mean by turn over the chain?
Free tip: get dental cleaning picks from your dentist. They throw them out after a few uses. The pics come in a variety of shapes; great for cleaning those bar grooves, tiny oil holes, and the inside of the bar on the saw. Don't use them for your teeth ( or contact the law offices of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe ).
I like to sharpen my chains off the bar, and so when every I change chains, I run a pick up and down the bar as well as the oil port and grease port. Then blow it out. It is a good reminder to keep the channel clean though. Something so simple can make a good day bad.
I file by hand so lately I've been using the portable stump vise. Works well. Do you use an electric disc grinder?
I used to use a file but wanted something quicker. I looked into a disc grinder, but still wanted to use a file in the field and a disc grinder wont do that. I have been using my dremel tool with the chainsaw stones and it has been working really well for me and I can still use a file when I need to do a touch up. I made a jig to hold the chains in a vise made from UHMW to keep from marring.
Stump vise in the field ( a device better than sliced bread ) with a Pferd ( Stihl) 2in1 sharpener. Bench vise in the workshop with carpet under layer on the faces to hold the bar. When I tried an electric grinder I burnt the teeth, and it took too long to set the thing for different chains. Caveat for you electric sharpeners: sharpening a "rock" or "dirt" damaged chain with hand sharpen tools is a serious PITA plus. In that case, a micro brew ( Maine ) assists. "UHMW" ????????????
I have a putty knife that I use to clean the grooves in bars. I do mine on a regular basis because it also helps keep the oil hole clean too.
I have a depth gauge that also works as a groove cleaner. It came in this kit that I bought mainly for the pouch, because I don’t use the file guide, or depth gauge except to clean bar grooves.
UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) is an extremely tough plastic with high abrasion and wear resistance. The versatility of polyethylene has made it a popular plastic for countless industrial applications that require durability, low friction, and chemical resistance. It has a decent amount of malleability to it and does not rub off on the chain but can be squeezed in a vise.
Is that UHMW too slippery to hold a bar in a vise ? I put strips of carpet underlayment on to hold the bar securely. Is that what Glock uses ? New word, new concept. Maybe too much for this brain.
I'll take a picture of it when I get a chance and then it will make more sense. It holds the chain not the bar. I like to sharpen the chains off the bar since I use multiple chains. I use a couple pieces of pine to hold the bar if I need to put it in the vise.
I sharpen on a grinder, so chain off & bar cleaned every time. I use a zip tie in the groove. Flip the bar every sharpening.
