Thread: Sharpening Poll

Which do you use to sharpen chains?

Well the other night I tried the rock method... I could of turned the chain around after that and it would of cut better... Oh I found the rock 3 foot up in the wood pile, right where the puppy dropped it.

As for sharpening I am slowly moving over from round to all square ground chains.

I file while using and grind after the day is done.

I round file and square file depending on which saw. Then grind once in a while to even out the chain. I had one this summer that no matter how I filed it, it still cut in a curve. I ground and squeezed the bar and it still cut in a curve. In desperation I ground the chain to even it out and it cut straight. I didn't think it was that much off. The cutters and rakers need to be evened out every once in a while.

i file sharpen my chains from the first time they need sharpening to there last sharpen..i never use a grinder..

File only, would be hard to justify a good grinder in my case. If I'm running out of daylight in the woods, I will just quickly throw another spare sharp chain on, otherwise I find a stump I can get comfortable at. Back in the shop I stick the bar in vise and trun on some tunes. I found that Stihl chain is harder to sharpen and dulls the files faster than Oregon. Not sure if it lasts longer in wood though, guess it does if its harder.

Dave

I use files and a grinder on occasion depending on how screwed up the chain is.

I take the chain to the shop where I work if it needs more than a touch up. O.K, so I am lazy.

Hand sharpen with round file generally. I have a couple of grinders but seldom use them- I did use the Nielsen recently after hitting a rock grown into a stump. I recently got a loop of square ground that I'll try square filing on.

hand filing is the only way. imho

Originally Posted by smokechaser

hand filing is the only way. imho

yes if you cant do it your screwed!the only time i dont bother with a chain is when the chromes gone.a vice really is a must have IMO although i can file with the bar horizontal just as good

I hand file with the chain on the bar on the saw. I took a chain to a shop once and they ground it but did a horrible job and didnt even touch the depth gauges. Last time for that.

if i am in a big hurry i will use a grinder to take out the back of the cutter and a bench grinder to thin the rake. rake depth, top plate,side plate and chisel all get filed by hand. this would be on competition chain of coarse. marty

hand file, but if the chain is really bad shape, will take it to the father in-law who has his own sharpening biz.

regular file sharpening is the way to go, I would say. It takes you some discipline to do it on a regular base (before you produce dust), but it really pays off.