Guy up in Sandusky could make some good chain with the atop and 6 sided. Used to come down and compare stuff.
So are vallorbe 6 sided files still available . the guy on eBay his files have viiala stamped on them , Madsens are the same . but it sounds as if they are shi**y files anyway. I am going to buy a few save edge and a few viiala and try them . its all in the feel right which ones the filer likes or feels best .
I am ! But most of the poster s in this post know much more about square filing than I do . so instead of wasting my cash I would rather ask . also I am very grateful that you guys do offer valuable advise ! Chris
I cant "feel" any difference between different brands of files when NIB. I can feel the difference between a 3 corner and a double bevel file. I can feel the difference between a double bevel and a single bevel file. After some use, I can feel that some files still have bite to them, and some dont. Why those files got dull could be any possible reason below, and probably some I aint even thinking of - File was used on a tooth or some teeth that were done with a grinder and got heated up; file now dull - File was left to move around in a tool bag or draw; file now dull - File was drawn against its cut (backstroke); file now dull - File was pushed too hard into the work too many times; file now dull - File was dropped on the concrete, the truck bed, etc..; file now dull - File was made crappy, used once or twice, maybe even 3 times; file now dull Skippy, nobody in any forum will tell you that you wasted your cash if you purchase Save Edge, Bacho, or Pferd double bevel files, unless they dont know what they are talking about.
The crappiest 6 sided square file I ever laid hands on were those POS things baileys sold. woodsman pro or something like that. Them things were poor for even a raker file
OK, I broke down and decided to square file another 36" .404 to show the only difference that I can see (other than durability of the file itself) between a single bevel and a double bevel. Like already stated, the single bevel is thinner than a double bevel, however the single bevel does cut a taller side plate than the double bevel does. I did my best to take the 2 pics in the same light and at the same angle, but that aint easy. After taking these pictures, I cleaned up the gullets for use as a work chain.
Thanks Kg461 ................ although I still stand in the shadows of some of the more talented square filers, I do like how my chains cut. Especially the .404 chains. The only time that I have seen the taller side plate come into play is when rakers are lower for softwood cutting. They might offer some advantage in a race, although I will leave that up to the experts to comment on. I never look at a stopwatch when I cut, and never bring a video to a job.
The difference between RS and my square filed .404 is very apparent to me. You have to run it to see. I don't bring anything to video or time my cuts when I work, most people want me in and out ASAP and lingering is bad for business. Besides, watching someone stumpin on video wont tell the whole story as most stumps in my area are hollowed and have lots of wet black dirt, sand, rocks, and sometimes cement or iron in them. It would be better for you to see someone cut in a prepped cant to be absolutely fair.
I worked for a few in my time . it was all about speed and safety ! One of my bosses would offer up bonuses for fast times working as a team .
There's not much cutting the side plate does. Probably the top 1/16" of it is what's cutting. If the chain leaves fuzzy ends when cutting g then the teeth aren't cutting even as they could be. That's the reason chains get stoned for racing to cut the same kerf and not pull the teeth sideways.
