holding saw while filing chain

Hi folks,
I've been keeping my chains sharp by filing them using the flat guide that fits on the file. I usually carry the saws into the basement and clamp them in a vise to do this. (*)

The Vallorbe video on sharpening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lj3fNRdjvw) shows a bar clamp that looks like it is driven onto a log and used to hold the saw. I've looked for something like this at some of the site sponsors and not found anything like it. That leaves me wondering how you hold the saw when you need to file in the field.

I'm thinking about asking my son to weld a C-clamp to a spike so I can use that, but I thought I'd ask around first to see if there is a better solution.

thanks,
walt

(*) Heh... reminds me of a Texas Aggie joke I heard years ago.

Check here: http://www.baileysonline.com/search.asp?skw=stump+vise&PageNo=1

jmbones said:

Check here: http://www.baileysonline.com/search.asp?skw=stump+vise&PageNo=1

Click to expand...

Yes - Thanks!

Guess my search skills need some sharpening. :greenchainsaw:

best,
walt.

Search: STUMP VISE

OK, but how about something that would clamp to the tailgate of a pickup??

Grandpa tractor has a vise mounted to a square tube that
fits in the hitch receiver of his pickup. It is L shaped to bring the vise up to working level.

It's not on the tailgate, I like the idea of mounting a vise onto a trailer hitch. No holes have to be drilled in to the bumper, tailgate, or truck body, as is often done on large utility trucks.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5031549_mount-vise-pickup-truck.html

EDIT:

deadtrees said:

Grandpa tractor has a vise mounted to a square tube that
fits in the hitch receiver of his pickup. It is L shaped to bring the vise up to working level.

Click to expand...

I just saw your post. I like that idea.

Kate Butler said:

OK, but how about something that would clamp to the tailgate of a pickup??

Click to expand...

Super3 has a vise that he can bolt and unbolt on the back of his tailgate. It is a great idea.

Several thoughts come to mind.

jmbones said:

Check here: http://www.baileysonline.com/search.asp?skw=stump+vise&PageNo=1

Click to expand...

+1 on this and the machinist vice ideas mentioned above.

These (above) are the basic stump vices and should serve you. STIHL sells a heavier duty version that is (surprise!) 3 to 4 times the price of these, but is a really hefty casting and has a nice feel to it. I bought one as a treat.

I like the idea of having your son weld the 'C' clamp to a spike, or better yet, a coarse thread wood screw to anchor it into a log or stump. It would be unique and personal.

Some guys simply run their bar several inches into a standing stump and use this to hold the chain - requires repositioning a few times to get the whole loop, but works when no vice is available. Here is an extreme version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoNDVKdQX_A&feature=related

Kate Butler said:

OK, but how about something that would clamp to the tailgate of a pickup??

Click to expand...

I made a very simple fixture that would work for this - I use it to clamp my saw to the picnic table for filing.

Nail or glue 2 short sections of 2 X 4 together along the long edges to form an 'L'. I use one 'C'-clamp or Quick Grip clamp to hold one leg of the 'L' to the table, and a second to clamp the bar to the other leg of the 'L'. Glue or tack a strip of 3/8" or 1/2" thick wood to the upper leg of the 'L' to space the bar far enough away so that the chain clears. Cheap and simple. (Give them out as holiday gifts!). I suppose you could also use a short section of really large angle iron to do the same thing.

Philbert

Thanks, all. I'm usually using the hitch with my trailer, but the hitch idea is first rate!!

What is "Super3"?

Try this:
http://www.coford.ie/iopen24/pub/ccn-ht08.pdf

I've been using one from Labonville that expands and locks into a cut in the stump. The only minor gripe is that it needs a wider cut than my .325 chain will cut, I have to widen the kerf a bit to make it work. But it hold the bar solidly.

mbopp said:

I've been using one from Labonville that expands and locks into a cut in the stump. The only minor gripe is that it needs a wider cut than my .325 chain will cut, I have to widen the kerf a bit to make it work. But it hold the bar solidly.

Click to expand...

Philbert

A bunch of good ideas on this thread no doubt. If your sharpening your saws at home then I have a work table just the right height for me and it is made of wood. I put a glove on my left hand and tilt the saw forward and hold the bar with the gloved hand with the tip kind of digging into the table. I file the cutters that I can get to then spin the chain some and stick the tip back into the table and file the rest the same way then switch sides. FullCry

GB makes a heavy duty stump vice that is almost identucal to the Stihl product, part # GB960, the Stens #700-310. It's easily found if dropped as it is bright yellow. I've seen it for under $13.+tx

Here Is My High Tech Filing Fixture

This is the fixture I mentioned above, for clamping the bar to a picnic table, etc., for filing. Very sophisticated.

If you have a bigger saw, you might want to upgrade to 2 X 6 (or some metric stuff overseas).

Some of my smaller saws have a hole bored through the bar near the tip (see 3rd photo below). Although, I did not use in in this photo, I sometimes use a bolt and wing nut, with a short PVC spacer, to bolt the bar to the fixture (through holes in spacer strip) instead of using the 'C'-clamp.

Philbert

Saw Service Box

This was something that I saw at a recent G-T-G and am taking the liberty of re-posting here in this topic. Looked very simple, versatile, and effective.

Design credit to kevin j, and photo credit to Steve NW WI.

A few more photos would help, but I will try to describe it in sufficient detail. One of the tapered 2x4's you see is glued/screwed to the 3/4 inch plywood top. The other floats free, with recesses drilled for the clamp pads.

2 basic 'C'-clamps poke up through holes/slots in the plywood to clamp the bar in place. Ballast to keep the thing from moving is provided by a heavy gauge plastic tote filled with files, extra chains, bar oil, supplies, etc., that are organized by dividers, holders, etc. to keep all servicing supplies handy.

The plywood top is secured to the tote with bungee cords - I suppose if you needed more stability, you could clamp the top to a table, bench, tailgate, etc. In this version, kevin j also has some slots cut into the plywood, in line with the 2x4's, to allow some extra large dogs to clear.

Philbert

3ft. piece of 2x10 oak in the back of the trailor that I can smack the stump vise in.

That way I only have 1 vise that can be used wherever.

Kids got it from Stihl for me last Xmas,use it all the time.