Boy did I feel like a dummy when I decided to order up some square files recently. I didn't pay any attention to where they were made. Ordered some from eBay and had them shipped over. Didn't realize they were made here in the EU by our not too distant neighbors in Portugal. Oh well, you live and learn.
Tried my hand at square filing today. I would appreciate some feedback from you guys... .325 Stihl chain. I haven't touched the rakers yet. Just trying to get a feel for the square filing process. Only the center tooth has been worked on. Sorry for the pic quality...it's not easy getting a good closeup of chain.
Looks like you might be low in the cutter and too flat with the file. There's almost no room to square file .325. If you have the angle right you will be probably hitting the far tie strap from the file with the bottom of the file. Kinda hard to see real close. Try staying back from the chain and zoom with your phone or camera. I found out with my phone the focus gets wonky and keeps adjusting if I put it close. I know it sucks to wait... I get my best cutter picks outside on a bright day in the shade.
So, too far down in the gullet? I'll try and get some pics out side tomorrow. I'm gonna on a 3/8 loop later.
You're gonna have to zoom the picture to see what I am talking about. The file should be making 2 cuts- outside plate and top plate with the corner of the file running on the yellow line. I am seeing a beak on the cutter - red line which has me thinking the corner of the file is down on the side plate. If the corner is running on the yellow line the side plate will be flat like the aqua line. It might be the pick. I saved and blew up 400% on the computer to really look. With .325 try filing the gullet under the cutter a tad not touching the cutter. It creates less drag on the square file and focus on the corner. That's kind of reverse but helps.
Now I remember why I don't square file .325 . It's no fun with no room and I destroy files. Just tried to do an old cutter as an example an messed up the file a bit so quit.
325 is tight for sure. I end up on the tie strap a bit, but no big deal there. AlfA01 Dan, 3/8 will be much easier to learn on. And don't try it with a Stihl chain. Remember to intersect the corners of the cutter, as the black line shows.
.325 looks great. There is a definite adjustment that has to be made which makes for a flatter top plate angle. Not a bad thing. I checked out my files again. They are vintage Finland steel but no brand name. On a couple of them I just touched a corner and the ridges start to chip- even on 3/8. They are new. Some bite some don't. They bite but are inconsistent - eBaydeal for something like 5 bucks each shipped. I took the risk and got to learn to get the angles and geometry. I have a saveedge goofy file that is a completely different performer. Cuts with no problem. I'll grab a few files for a Christmas present to myself.
