Square filing chains

I finished square filing my first chain last night. I tried it out today and it was 1.5 seconds/ 10% faster than a out of the box chain. I was just happy that it was not slower. I have not lowered the rakers on it yet.

 

Before I lower the rakers, I measure them. I have been suprised a few times by large and small measurements on new chain.

Congrats on getting that chain done !!

So, 15 seconds down to 13.5 is very good ! Did you do any gullet work ? What make & type of chain ?

 

My chains take 30 seconds to get through a round

 

I'm gonna measure the rakers before I do anything to them.

Thanks, it not done. It is a work in progress still.

I went from 10.8 to 9.5. I picked up about 12%. Yes I cleaned the gullets up with a 3/16 file at a 40* angle like Square file suggested. The chain was a Stihl RSL.

I made some videos.

Here RSC chain filed to factory specs.



Here is the out of the box RSL.



Here is the RSL after I filed it.

 

Looks good, just going on the sound of the motor, I would not drop the rakers. You will make it to aggressive and stall out.

 

Thanks, I think you are right. If I lower the rakers it would be too much for that saw.

 

I am not too sure about that ............ sorry Kevin,
The saw sounds lean, IMHO. I could be very wrong, but I have noticed a ton of different things that happen in the cut with my own square filed chains.


94BULLITT,
That chain cuts great !!!



May I ask you to please richen up the high speed jet just a little and then run that square filed chain again ?

 

Thanks, Mopar.
You are right the saw is lean. After the last video I open the throttle to listen to the tune and it was lean. I was in a hurry when I made the first two videos cause it was getting ready to pour rain that day. I didn't wanna retune the saw for the last video cause I wanted a fair comparison. In the future I will have a good tune in the saw and check the max RPM with the tach then when I test the chain I'll set it to that max RPM for a more accurate comparision. I'll retune the carb and run the sqaure filed chain again.

 

But .....but ....... but ........
IMHO, since you are meticulousely going over each little grubby cutter a dozen times on the chain, why not pay attention to that tune ? I don't use the tach until the saw cuts right - with the chain that's on it !

May I politely suggest that you tune the saw with the chain in the wood ?
I see the most power in a cut when the saw 4 strokes until about 1/4 of the bars length is being used ........... once more bar is engaged, it should clean right up. This especially on longer bars, but equally as important on square filed chain due to the myriad of changes to the cutter from its factory edges.

Another way, which can be more fun and extremely effective is to time each cut and keep adjusting the fuel until you see the best times. This will co-incide with the saw feeling the strongest in the cut !!

Once you have that all fine tuned and have gotten a feel for the saw/chain in that wood, then its time to tach it and address raker height if necessary...............................
then do it all over again

I don't cut for competition, but I do plenty of side work and cutting for the fireplace ............... Each saw will have its sweet spot for each chain !

 

I tuned the saw to 13,500 which I believe is factory spec. I plan on doing a muffler mod and try advancing the ignition timing on the saw so I couldn't see much need in taking the time to find the perfect tune for it. After I MM it I'll do some test cuts to find the perfect tune.

I haven't had time to look at the video closely yet but it looks like my best cut was around 9.3 or 9.4. Previously it was 9.5.

 

Good gains on your chain. Keep playing with angles to find a faster chain or a more durable depending on what you want out of it.

 

Hello. Something to consider about the square filing is the repeatability issue. I am a Neanderthal and claim not to be in the same technical arena as you all and with this caveat, her is something to consider. I have a Timberline chain sharpening system $130 that uses a carbide cutter and is a phenomenal piece if kit, problem is that it does not work for chisel point tips and is designed for round teeth. Timberline has a system coming out sometime this year designed for chisel tip chains that excel when square filed. Their products are top-notch and with proper care, they will last. As a woodworker with a high quality tool addiction problem, it is a tool I want in my tool box right next to the safety equipment.

 

With enough practice you can keep angles within 2-3 degrees of each other round or square filing. The jig would be nice but I like to change angles for wood type, power head, and racing.

 

I have the Timberline and have used it with chisel chains no problems. It wont square file for you, but it works with all types of chain to give a nice, sharp, round sharpened cutter.

The Atop is the only jig out now that I am aware of which allows you to square file

 

Me too...
Especially if it's adjustable in any way..

 

I square filed one toof yesterday, it was beautiful!

 

So it takes you a month to do a chain

Still faster than the wiggz

 

No, one tooth done. I just need to make the other 18 match it. Then there is the other side to do.