Which bar mounted filing guide should I get?

[Pole-line Paul]

I'm looking for a bar mounted filing guide to start sharpening my own chains which I've never done before. I'm looking at three models.
A) Oregon Professional Bar Mounted Filing Guide
Reviews on Bailey's seem to suggest it's been around forever and it's good.

B) Granberg Precision Bar Mounted Filing Guide
Reviews on Bailey's say it's good but has poor instructions and is not the easiest thing for a novice to use.

C)Stihl bar mount filing tool
Haven't read anything about it.

My personal criteria is ease of use so I can actually learn how to sharpen properly. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[woodyman]

I'm looking for a bar mounted filing guide to start sharpening my own chains which I've never done before. I'm looking at three models.
A) Oregon Professional Bar Mounted Filing Guide
Reviews on Bailey's seem to suggest it's been around forever and it's good.

B) Granberg Precision Bar Mounted Filing Guide
Reviews on Bailey's say it's good but has poor instructions and is not the easiest thing for a novice to use.

C)Stihl bar mount filing tool
Haven't read anything about it.

My personal criteria is ease of use so I can actually learn how to sharpen properly. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I heard the Stihl one is pricey but good and heard don't get the Oregon one.I have used the Granberg for over 20 years and like it alot.The Granberg does a very good job of getting all the angles the same on all the cutters and is an all metal filing guide.

 

[Saw Dr.]

I have a Granberg also. I do alot of chains on my grinder, but I still file most of the ones for ME on the Granberg. I bought it used, and it is alot more used now.

 

[redunshee]

I have an Oregon and Granberg and prefer the Granberg. Both set up and work the same but the Granberg just seems better built

 

[kevlar]

I have the stihl and It really works well.I thought I was a good hand filer but with this tool I put razers on my chains!

 

[sbhooper]

I personally think that they are cumbersom and I much prefer just using a plain Stihl filing guide. I have a couple different ones that work fine, but they just aren't for me. I believe that the ones that I have are Oregon and possibly a Homelite (I haven't looked at it in some time). You can have them both for $20 shipped if you want them.

 

[Cantdog]

I have a Granberg that I bought in 1977 with my first and only new saw. The saw is completely worn out (crank is beat and the piston ring lands are about 1/16" wider than it should be!!) It is slated to be rebuilt for sentimental reasons as well as to use. (My first 49SP) However the Granberg has stood up well, still using it today. It has wear and missing some parts but still does what it's supposed to. I don't take it into the field as it's way to much of a PITA to drag around. So I hand file or swap out the chain in the woods, depending on what caused the dullness to occur. But get back to the shop, clamp the saw in a vise, clamp the Granberg on the bar and bring everything back to specs. Fairly quiet too!!! I'd like a good grinder but probably won't get one until the Granberg falls apart. It's been 34 yrs so far, countless files and chains worn into oblivion and still works fine. Not trying to sell them just my $0.02 worth.

 

[Guarddog1]

I have the Granberg and it works great

 

[WoodChuck'r]

Oh good grief.

Just buy one and sharpen your chains. I could have freehand sharpened 3 chains by now in the time it took me to read all the replys in this thread.

 

[Cantdog]

Did you go a little heavy on the coffee this morning?? LOLOL!!!

You must be a really,really fast filer or a slow reader!!! Very short bars maybe? Only 9 posts including yours!!

Maybe I've have to much coffee too!!!!!!LOLOL!!!!!:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Pole-line Paul]

Thank you all for replying. I just ordered the Granberg File-N-Joint Precision Filing Guide from Bailey's. Also, found some videos on how to use it which should help.

 

[Cantdog]

You'll be happy with it. It will also allow you to learn to hand file properly too. Good investment. Good luck!!

 

[Pole-line Paul]

Thanks Cantdog.

 

[Saw Bones]

Thank you all for replying. I just ordered the Granberg File-N-Joint Precision Filing Guide from Bailey's. Also, found some videos on how to use it which should help.

Be sure to use a good file. I don't want to start a debate on which file is the best. I mean which ever file you use, replace it every so often. You will see the difference.

 

[Pole-line Paul]

I didn't order any files because I haven't researched those yet. Without starting a debate, are there good brands in general that I should buy?

 

[CGC4200]

?'s about the Granberg version

I have been thinking about a bar mount file guide for years, have been
using Oregon hand held file guides and raker gauges.
I have different saws using 3/8 LP, .325 and 3/8 pitch chain.
I downloaded instructions, they look like a scanned copy of
printed document with murky pictures.

1) Can you set 10 degree vertical tilt specified for some chains?

2) It looks like you could set up for different pitch chain with the right
file. Is this possible? I already have the files.

3) Looking at instructions, it also looks like it can be set-up to file
raker/depth gauges with a flat file. Is that possible or maybe to
slow to be useful?

4) Are there any chains this guide will not work with?
Use on different chains is one reason I am looking at the Granberg.

 

[Cantdog]

I have been thinking about a bar mount file guide for years, have been
using Oregon hand held file guides and raker gauges.
I have different saws using 3/8 LP, .325 and 3/8 pitch chain.
I downloaded instructions, they look like a scanned copy of
printed document with murky pictures.

1) Can you set 10 degree vertical tilt specified for some chains?

2) It looks like you could set up for different pitch chain with the right
file. Is this possible? I already have the files.

3) Looking at instructions, it also looks like it can be set-up to file
raker/depth gauges with a flat file. Is that possible or maybe to
slow to be useful?

4) Are there any chains this guide will not work with?
Use on different chains is one reason I am looking at the Granberg.

Yes you can tilt 0 to 40 degreees left or right and also 0 to 40 degrees of angle left or right.
Yes you just change the file to go to a different pitch.
Yes you can use a flat file to do the rakers but it is somewhat of a PITA, a file-o-plate is mush easier to use for this.
I am not sure to ? 4 but I have never encountered any chains it won't work with.

Good rig overall just not suited for use in the field, better in the shop. Good luck, well worth the cost IMHO!!!!

 

[Needshave]

I didn't order any files because I haven't researched those yet. Without starting a debate, are there good brands in general that I should buy?

I came across this thread searching the Granberg Bar-Mount Chain Saw Sharpener. I just bought my first saw and have not filed a chain yet but as a machinist I can say I'm very happy with Nicholson files. That is the brand I go with whenever I order files. Files work better if you clean them with a wire brush and toss them when they start to look shiny and flat. Some of my coworkers buy new chains instead of filing because they can't get the saw to cut straight after filing. These are machinists who should be able to hand sharpen cutting tools. I've seen my father hit a nail with his saw and have it cutting again in 15 minutes with a file guide similar to a Granberg. I guess some people have it and others don't.

 

[JanThorCro]

4 years ago I bought a Granberg. Good piece of equipment. I have had good consistent results with it.

About 14 months ago I bought a Husky roller guide to use on my Sthil MS-270. I wanted to try it. Figured I'd have to file the guide to get it to fit. Nope, it fit right onto my stock Sthil chain.

After a year plus using Husky's roller guide, I won't be using anything else to sharpen my chains. That thing rocks.

 

[Huskybill]

I use only the file n guide system by Oregon. It has the angle of the tooth to the bar plus you match the up hill angle of the tooth with the guide. This puts a straight sharp edge on the upper tooth. Next you take the file in a handle and go below the upper tooth and file out the gullet. This system works the best.

Rakers, the depth each tooth will cut. If the rakers are close to the upper tip of the tooth and your cutting saw dust the rakers must be Dressed. I make two passes or three passes on each raker till there .025” or .030” depth max. On the right side of the teeth you file the rakers from left to right. On the left side teeth you file the rakers from the right to the left. With a flat 6” raker file.

Once you learn this proper way of filing the chain you will never use a clamp on system.

File n guide, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-C...-Chainsaw-File-for-B-Chain-316FGPC2/100674901