Love the trifecta--my WoodBoss is too big for all day work--but the Husky 435 and MS211 do most of the work. The 435 has cut about 20 cords of wood so far--and still goes strong. A new chain is $20 at Lowes--I can get 3-4 solid days work with each chain. I never seem to get that edge back with sharpening--so I toss it and buy a new one.
I know this is wasteful--any thoughts????
well,if i were you,and had the time,i would learn to hand file.......i taught myself,i use stihl file and the file guide cost i think less than 20.00 new at any dealer,it just piece metal that slides on the round file,...i have one for each 3/8 and .325 chains.....they have the angle on them,so you match the angle with the cutter {the angle is a line in the middle of the file guide,which you visually hold to the chain/bar and keep that same angle} .....i started with half strokes,and when that side of the whole chain is done,i turn the saw around, switch to opposite side of cutter i take the guide off and turn it around....it takes some time,so be patient,and wear gloves or you can cut yourself.....and yes i have........another trick is find first cutter that is the worse,and file that one first and count the strokes it takes to get it sharp==then that is how many i try to sharpen the rest===that makes them all unified for me==so say it takes 10 strokes on the worst cutter==then thats how many the rest will get,even if they are sharp before then!....take your time,and if your tossing them anyway,theirs nothing to loose!!!i cant speak for other chains,but i use the stihl rs and rm chains,and this method works great for me,they are usually sharper,after i file them,then they were out of box....as far as chains go there are alot of good info in other threads,i just stuck with stihl,and the stihl files which works well for me........good luck.....have fun.......o and another tip=when iam close to having the cutter i working on is almost sharp or 2nd to last 2 strokes i hold up pressure to the cutter=you can [with a good table light] see a thin piece of metal edge starting to flake off=thats what i like to watch for.......o and i leave the chain on the saw,and use a block of wood to hold up end of bar,to stable saw.2x4 block...=file,file guide,bright table light,gloves,block of wood and patients! i hope this helps you,it works for me.......any other questions i try to help or others may chime in.......o and when you get that down there is also the rakers,(they are between the cutters i use a flat file and gauge to make sure they are not taller than your cutters,some guys file them down alot,i dont),that you have to touch up with every so often,i dont do it every time on my style of chain,i do it maybe every 3rd or so filing depending....good luck!!