Hand filing chain

[p61 western]

This is great information thank you guy's.

 

[SawTroll]

I push the file in towards gullet not down


-Efisher26-

Pushing down would be dumb and counterproductive - I keep the pressure in and up.

Gullet filing is a separate operation, when needed.

 

[old guy]

Philbert[/QUOTE]

The role of the side plate cutting edge is often overlooked / underrated / Rodney Dangerfield'ed. Many say that it has the hardest job when crosscutting, because it has to cut/chop through the wood fibers. If there is too much 'hook', the entry of the side plate cutting edge is delayed until after the top plate has started pulling the fibers up. The 'self-feeding' feeling is the saw pulling itself into the wood, instead of cutting through it effortlessly (like a a light sabre!).

With enough power, the chain can self-feed and still cut efficiently. But on a smaller powerhead, or with too much 'hook', the same chain will try to tear the wood instead of cutting it cleanly.

As Andy notes, the 'depth gauge' controls the depth of the cut. Calling it a 'raker' is a misnomer, because the top plate is what really rakes out the chips, after the side plates have cut the fibers.

(I hope that Old Guy has at least one more gasket to blow!)

Philbert

I can't dispute anything you say here Philbert, but I think I will delete my last gasket to avoid futere damage.

 

[Efisher26]

Pushing down would be dumb and counterproductive - I keep the pressure in and up.

Gullet filing is a separate operation, when needed.

I may have miss-spoken, "gullet" is bottom of tooth between cutter and raker? I meant I put preasure into the cutter, so the file rides the side cutter and top cutter at same time. (;0)


-Efisher26-

 

[Boomer 87]

What we need is an expert to post a short video showing one tooth being done right.

 

[p61 western]

That would be great to have a expert post a video, and some pics of a tooth of semi-chisel and chisel.

 

[Boomer 87]

Maybe two different ways with a guide like us novices need to and also freehand no guides

 

[p61 western]

Anybody think this should be a sticky?

 

[astnmacgto]

Make it a sticky!
ADLM

 

[Andyshine77]

Not exactly what would make someone an actual chain expert, but we have many here and elsewhere that really know their stuff. Unfortunately quite a lot of pictures and threads on this forum were lost a few years ago.



Square or full chisel tooth roung filed.


Sharpe square filed full chisel tooth.

 

[SawTroll]

I may have miss-spoken, "gullet" is bottom of tooth between cutter and raker? I meant I put preasure into the cutter, so the file rides the side cutter and top cutter at same time. (;0)


-Efisher26-

I just wasn't sure what "into" meant in your post - but it sounds right now.

 

[Boomer 87]

What would a square grind be used for?

 

[merc_man]

What would a square grind be used for?

Speed.

 

[p61 western]

So square filed is not much for everyday use?

 

[merc_man]

So square filed is not much for everyday use?

it will dall faster but cuts a lot quicker. Most people who like to play (race or cookie cutters) use square ground chain.

 

[p61 western]

it will dall faster but cuts a lot quicker. Most people who like to play (race or cookie cutters) use square ground chain.

Not exactly a firewood chain for sure.I have a long ways to go before I even think about trying it anyways.

 

[Andyshine77]

Not exactly a firewood chain for sure.I have a long ways to go before I even think about trying it anyways.

It depends on the geometry used, square ground can in fact be very durable. The issue is the cost to benefit isn't that great for the average firewood cutter. Learning how to properly square file is time consuming, and at times somewhat expensive. Off the role square ground is usually pretty lame from what I've experienced, but I guess it's a good place to start.

Generally square filing is considered more of a west coast softwood deal, but I have and do on occasion use square filed chain to cut firewood.

 

[p61 western]

For me I still have lot's to learn just doing round filing.From what I here square is a lot more challenging.I mostly cut hardwood so i'm not sure if square is good for that or not.I would like to learn how to do it some day.

 

[p61 western]

OK some pics of what I have been working on.What's wrong and what to do to fix it.

 

[p61 western]

OK some pics of what I have been working on.What's wrong and what to do to fix it.View attachment 530084 View attachment 530085 View attachment 530086 View attachment 530087

Sorry the pics are not better.I think my camera is going south.