Hand filing chain

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How are you using /measuring with the feeler gauge? How does it cut?
I am using a straight edge from tooth to tooth, then checking with feeler gauge. It could use more bite when cutting. It is a off brand chain that is fighting me.My Oregon chains are better to work with.
 
After the chain is half gone what method do you use?

I just take of 'a little more'.
Oregon does sell depth gauges with different settings: 0.025", 0.030", 0.035", etc
http://www.baileysonline.com/Chainsaw-Chain/Files-Filing-Accessories/Depth-Guage-Maintenance-Tools/

I actually have an adjustable one, but it is an antique. More versions in this thread:
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/depth-gauge-tools-for-saw-chain.279374/

Without reading through all these posts I'll say that filing the rakers first, then filing the cutters prevents taking the edge off the cutters, particularly on chisel and semi chisel.
Can't accurately gauge it off of the final cutter height if you take off much off. Might be OK if you are only going to take one or two file passes.

Philbert
 
I didn't mean to derail the thread with the depth gauge's on this chain,but I guess they are just as important as a good file job.Thank all of you for your good eye's and pointing it out,now I can focus more on the filing aspect of things.For now I will be using the feeler gauge method.
 
Made a few cuts after dropping the depth gauges and it cuts a lot better. No big huge chips but it wasn't dust from a piece of oak cut a year ago. What would be a better file than the Oregon files?
 
No matter how it gets sharpen, getting the right depth is what you need to look for . Going to run dremals as long as there electricity to run them .
Your doing it right ! The file might be just a little high . Wish I could show on the picture ? Try to do it with words .Look on the outside profile there are three horizontal lines top middle bottom . Notice there's a small angle . No matter what it gets sharpen with , it needs to get to the bottom of the horizontal line . What I notice with this sharpening is just starting to get high and that's normal with hand filling . What going to happen at this rate about half way through the chains life is a condition called to much slop . A lot people blame the rakers an get a new chain . When to much slop happens you can file the rakers off an not much is going happen .
 
What would be a better file than the Oregon files?
Try a few and see what you like.

A lot of people have brand preferences; I am usually happy with most name brand files. I just bought some STIHL files at a farm store for less than the Oregon files at the same store. Some guys were really excited about Save Edge files a while back:
http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...s/Round-Chainsaw-Files/Save-Edge-Round-Files/

Pferd files are available in both a 'Standard' (coarser) and 'Smooth' (finer) cut, for rough shaping and final finishing or light touch ups.
https://www.pferdusa.com/info/PDF/CSF.PDF

Philbert
 
Try a few and see what you like.

A lot of people have brand preferences; I am usually happy with most name brand files. I just bought some STIHL files at a farm store for less than the Oregon files at the same store. Some guys were really excited about Save Edge files a while back:
http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...s/Round-Chainsaw-Files/Save-Edge-Round-Files/

Pferd files are available in both a 'Standard' (coarser) and 'Smooth' (finer) cut, for rough shaping and final finishing or light touch ups.
https://www.pferdusa.com/info/PDF/CSF.PDF

Philbert
Thank you Philbert that is exactly what I was looking for. Good heads up on the Pherd standard and smooth.
 
No matter how it gets sharpen, getting the right depth is what you need to look for . Going to run dremals as long as there electricity to run them .

Your doing it right ! The file might be just a little high . Wish I could show on the picture ? Try to do it with words .Look on the outside profile there are three horizontal lines top middle bottom . Notice there's a small angle . No matter what it gets sharpen with , it needs to get to the bottom of the horizontal line . What I notice with this sharpening is just starting to get high and that's normal with hand filling . What going to happen at this rate about half way through the chains life is a condition called to much slop . A lot people blame the rakers an get a new chain . When to much slop happens you can file the rakers off an not much is going happen .
I wish could show on the picture to. Do you have a link to a video? Can you explain more about the slop, what it is and how to avoid it.Thanks in advance.
 
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