Sharpening Thread

Looking for opinions on these comments. Thought I had another link but cant find it.
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=42757.0

 

Some of it is good info. Stihl recommend 13/64" files for their 3/8" chain.

 

I like the 7/32 for fresh chain, and keep it low in the gullet, but as the tooth gets used back, I like the smaller 13/64..
The key here is to remove enough material from under the chrome top plate, giving you a sharper angle and edge. Filing with more than 15-20% of the file above the top plate can make a sharp corner, but pull more like a ditch witch than a fine cutting tool..
I actually prefer closer to under 10% file above top plate..

 

Absolutely...
But only if it was well done..
Never underestimate someone's ability to make an off the roll square slower than stock..

 

Always get beat by a good square chain. I've sent Matt some that have 5-8 hours in them. Think they do pretty well for the most part. I can file square chain that beats all the ground chain I ever tried.

 

You know there must be a scientific reason for that...
I ain't figured it out yet..
But a reason, surely...

 

It's not hard at all to file round faster than new square stuff. The square chisel cutter is more efficient cutter design. The side plate is helping more than the hook on round chain. The square cutters will pull less side to side in the bar. I can get 3/4" long chips with square in softer woods. I've never been able to get that with round filed.

 

Does the raker have a big effect on fast cutting.
I mean, if I have a 460 with a 20" bar,
can I take the raker down more than
spec'd & have the power to pull the chain,
will it cut faster/ or plug up due to bigger chip size?

 

Last spring, we had a chain build off / test we ran in the same cant in Iowa. The results were posted in the thread on AS, to the times and types of chain. Everything from woodland pro, to Stihl, to Oregon...
Semi/full/square... The works...
And I can't find the dumb thing anywhere...
I'll call Mr. Iowa and see if he saved it.

 

Yes, to a point...
Then the cutters get greedy and rob all your power while being mired in their own debris...
.325 is bad about this... It's like hitting a wall.
No matter how hard you push the saw, it won't cut any faster...

 

So how much can you take down rakers on a .375 full comp round chisel.
If you have the power to pull it thru.?

I bump mine down about 3 times thru the life of the chain.
But not a guru about chain, just like the saw to cut well, not race.

I pay attention to saw RPM (sound of a loaded saw) & the wood chips.

 

....

How is that working for him??
I think I know "That Guy"...

 

I have taken them down as far as .050...
At about .030-.035 you can give up any ideas of bore cutting...
I think you hit the point of diminishing returns somewhere around .040, but wood type and tooth wear "size", may give you a little leeway. The very fastest chains are only in the neighborhood of .019-.025..

 

This is a well worn loop of LGX that has been filed with a 7/32. It's ready to switch over to the 13/64.



It's really starting to cut good... This one would be faster than new square out of the box.

 

This is Stihl RMC semi chisel... With A little extra "Hook"...



Notice a lack of material in the gullet? That's a by-product of keeping the file a little deeper in the tooth.

 

This one is a relatively new loop of RSC that I'm slowly working toward a 15 degree top plate.
It's one of my milling chains..


If you notice, I've not had to touch the rakers yet. I'm focusing on the cutter's corner and edge.
When I get it just right, I'll swipe the rakers twice, and that'll be good for a couple more sharpenings.
After that, I use a gauge..

By the way, I'm doing it with a dremel while it's still mounted in the mill...

 

When the chain gets real wore down like the one Matt shows you can run over .030" and it will cut nice. When the tooth is that short it isn't as tall and needs more raker depth to get a good bite. Matt you have any pictures of the chains I've sent or did Levi hide them all?