My question is why do it? When I first started in 1977 I did file in the field. Then I found it was much faster to carry extra chains, change them as needed, then sharpen at my convenience back at the shop. My toolbox now holds a minimum of 2 spare chains, all sharp, for each size of bar.
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I've never owned more than one chain until now, I just bought new chains for both saws, wish I had bought more of them at the price he made them for me. I suppose the truth of the matter is I like a good sharp chain and can give it a quick once over at the landing. I try to process my wood in the woods so when I load it it's all split. If I was just felling I might do it differently.
Philbert I am sure that you are allergic to files. For me sharpening chains anywhere but in the field does not seem to be an option. A typical day will be to sharpen any where from three to six times a day. At ten to twenty days in the field machine sharpening could not work unless I use my 110 volt generator. Not wanting to haul anything, but essentials so I do not. After many years of cutting a slot in a log and trying to file with the log holding the bar while hand filing. That said a vice is a essential to do a decent file job. With or with out a guide plus it is much safer to eliminate cut knuckles. I have made several vices using C clamps. A few weeks ago I made a couple vices with some 5/8'' leaf springs. One with a 1/2 lag and the other with a 3/4 lag for wood that is a little punky. They work much better than any C clamp I used in that they are more stable less bulky and easier to get screwed in to the wood. Thanks
Ted,
Please post some photos? Love to see them, and I'm sure others would as well. That's the point of this thread.
Not allergic. I do work with different groups, which have different cultures regarding sharpening.
My personal preference is to have at least 3 chains per saw, swap them out, then sharpen in a batch, back home on a grinder.
Sometimes I may 'touch up' in the field, with a file and file guide, which means that I have to 'grind as I file, and file as I grind'.
When I file, I like a sharp file, and a stable bar and chain, as noted.
Philbert
TimberWolf530
ArboristSite Guru
I leave the 1st stump at the height I want to make a bench. Attach my stump vice, and use it until I'm done, then cut the stump off last.
