Jibber
ArboristSite Member
I can't figure it. I guess I'm just lousy at sharpening STIHL chains. I don't much of a problem with Husqvarna, using one of those little blue guide devices that they sell. With Stihl however, I use just the regular file kit. Sometimes I get a good bite after I sharpen it.. Sometimes I don't. Let's put it this way.. If I use a new chain or have the chain sharpened at the local Stihl dealer, it cuts way better and for a much longer period of time.
OK.. now my questions.. and forgive me if these have all been asked and answered before. I did a forum search and really couldn't find a good answer.
1) How does the dealer sharpen chains? I take it they have a mechanism. Is it similar to those grinders made by Oregon? I see them in the Northern Tool Catalog.. Northern's chinese made version goes for under a hundred bucks, the Oregon's go for various prices up to nearly 400 bucks. I might be interested in one if I thought it was the answer to a really good sharpened chain every time.
2) What am I doing wrong? I sharpen at the prescribed angles.. lift on the return stroke. Are there common errors that I am making? Or is a hand sharpened chain just NOT going to perform like a shop sharpened chain?
Any help is appreciated. Also, Recently using one of my saws on big hard wood.. 18" and larger.. it doesn't want to cut straight.. seems to tail off to one side at the bottom of the cut. Not sure what that's all about.. the bar is true and all the cutters seem to be the same length.
OK.. now my questions.. and forgive me if these have all been asked and answered before. I did a forum search and really couldn't find a good answer.
1) How does the dealer sharpen chains? I take it they have a mechanism. Is it similar to those grinders made by Oregon? I see them in the Northern Tool Catalog.. Northern's chinese made version goes for under a hundred bucks, the Oregon's go for various prices up to nearly 400 bucks. I might be interested in one if I thought it was the answer to a really good sharpened chain every time.
2) What am I doing wrong? I sharpen at the prescribed angles.. lift on the return stroke. Are there common errors that I am making? Or is a hand sharpened chain just NOT going to perform like a shop sharpened chain?
Any help is appreciated. Also, Recently using one of my saws on big hard wood.. 18" and larger.. it doesn't want to cut straight.. seems to tail off to one side at the bottom of the cut. Not sure what that's all about.. the bar is true and all the cutters seem to be the same length.