cuttinties
ArboristSite Guru
I think people look too hard at cut times on a ported saw compared to stock. Chain can make a fast saw slow and a stock saw fast.
Playing with chain
- Thread starter cuttinties
- Start date
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Trx250r180
Saw polisher
I am in the fast saw slow catagory
cuttinties
ArboristSite Guru
No worries I'm in the slow and slow category. But I'm curious to share the gains I find in chain with people.
johnny5ny
RR tie burner-indoor fireplace
Me too but it's the operator, not my saws or chain
cuttinties
ArboristSite Guru
Anyone want to see me use semi chisel or just RS?
johnny5ny
RR tie burner-indoor fireplace
Watching and learning from this thread, cuttinties. Not ready to take a square file to a chain yet, but I'm learning...
Thanks for keepin the thread goin
cuttinties
ArboristSite Guru
I'm still learning as well. When it comes to square filing I've been given helpful tips and tricks. But I'm pretty picky and I like to know where I'm going and why. So I've bugged people who know, and filed chains until I wanted to pull my hair out. Saws don't bother me because I'll always find a way to get more. But with chain it's hours of filing trying to get a .10 of a second faster.
paul hill
ArboristSite Operative
I'd be interested in seeing the gains you get.
I've been learning to square file for a couple months now. I like the challenge of the square file and it definitely seems to cut very fast and efficient.
I'm not giving up but when I think about how much time I have in each square chain I file, its not so fast.
Good info on this thread, thanks to the guys sharing info.
Trx250r180
Saw polisher
I got real humbled when a grind that i thought worked well on my 75 cc saw was put on a 60cc saw and did not do so good ,lot of variables on what works for your saw may not work on another as good ,and type of wood also
cuttinties
ArboristSite Guru
I agree my chain may kill your saw, but pull fine on mine and visa versa. Chain is the almighty equalizer, or the knife in a gun fight.
Hedgerow
HACK
Why would I do that, when I can just grab an Oregon chain, file it, and drub both Stihl offerings...
Lol...
Perhaps I should clarify. Durability should also be a consideration. Making the angle steeper is an easy way to increase speed, but you loose durability.
I think the Stihl factory angles are tough to beat in hard wood, but in softwood, a steeper angle works better.
I also think Stihl chain hold an edge better than most, even if you can get softer chain sharper.
I think the Stihl factory angles are tough to beat in hard wood, but in softwood, a steeper angle works better.
I also think Stihl chain hold an edge better than most, even if you can get softer chain sharper.
cuttinties
ArboristSite Guru
Durability isn't an issue with my chains so long as they stay out of the rocks and dirt. I can make a big difference between untouched RS and my work chain and not sacrifice durability. But I have my own reasons for the way I sharpen. And I'll get into that tomorrow some.
Looking forward to it.
KG441c
Keith
Rotate hand to the left on right hand cutter and the opposite on left cutters
Why handicap the square to be slower than a good round filed chain with those angles is my only problem with running it like that. If I'm going to run square I want it faster than a 2 minute round file touch up.
It does run faster than round for me, and holds up just as long, so IMO there is no downside. If I encounter dirty wood, I have a loop of carbide.
As Brian has stated, and the previous testing proved (factory Stihl square file fared very well) it depends on the wood you are cutting and the powerhead you are using. The factory angles seem to work quite well for me.
As Brian has stated, and the previous testing proved (factory Stihl square file fared very well) it depends on the wood you are cutting and the powerhead you are using. The factory angles seem to work quite well for me.
Hedgerow
HACK
This is my thinking too...
If I'm gonna take the time to file up something fast, all I really care about is that it's fast and smooth.
It's up to me to keep my bar out of the trash..
cuttinties
ArboristSite Guru
Rule #1 never stump with a good chain [emoji41]
A lot depends on the feller with the file. I've tested round and semi chisel to square factory and all were very close. They're on my youtube if you're curious.
