Dang! Rakers Too Low?

[Wood Doctor]

I guess I got carried away with a 25" chain with 84 DLs for my Stihl 046 and dropped the rakers too low last time I sharpened. Rats! It bogs the saw down as it cuts, especially in big logs that it should be plowing right through. The chain's cutters still have about half their life left.

I figure the depth gauge setting is sitting on about 0.033" and should be about 0.025". Looks like that's enough to cause the problem. So, should I throw the chain away or grind the cutters down a bunch? TIA.

 

[pioneerguy600]

A good 046 should be able to pull chain with up to .035 depth gauges on a 25" bar. All of mine will, is the chain cutters really sharp?

 

[dugide]

that doesn't sound like so much that you couldn't hold back on the saw a little to let it pull itself through unless there's to much hook on the cutters. then would be grabby.

 

[blsnelling]

Is it jerking and grabbing?

 

[CR888]

Either file the cutters back or use a larger diameter file for less hook and inner top plate angle. If you use a grinder at say 30/60/0 change to 30/75/0. Don't toss the chain, tune it. If all fails donate it to Philbert.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Is it jerking and grabbing?

Yes, that's exactly right--jerking and grabbing, especially in hardwood like ash and oak. The cutters are sharp. I used a 3/16" disk on the Oregon 511a to grind them with a 33-degree top plate angle, 55-degree cutting slant angle and 10-degree dip (file guide) angle. I've had no trouble with any other chain, but this time I got carried away with the depth gauge drop.

Based on what's been said here, looks like I just need to take more off the cutters and leave the rakers alone for awhile. Seem like a plan? I hate throwing out chains prematurely. I also tried the same chain on my Makita 6401 and it had trouble with it also. Same symptoms.

 

[HarleyT]

Put up some pics.

 

[CascadeHusky]

Save it for softwood, if you think you'll ever encounter any.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Save it for softwood, if you think you'll ever encounter any.

That may be my best bet. I have loads of cottonwood, linden, and willow to cut. The chain seems to be working well enough on that stuff to use.

BTW, I checked the depth gauge settings again and found several between .040" and 0.045". I must have had a few too many Bud Lights the night I sharpened it. Never again.

 

[albert]

Teeth @ half length. 030-.035 should be about right. Why 33*? Try 25*. Just grind back the several teeth you found with the .045 rakers.

 

[procarbine2k1]

Either file the cutters back or use a larger diameter file for less hook and inner top plate angle.

Darn good advice. And your best bet.

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

Might be a chain to set aside and use if you know you're gonna be cutting dirty. Stump, dirty wood etc.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[Philbert]

Are you any good at brazing?

CR888's idea of de-tuning the cutters is interesting. Not sure if it would work.

Grinding back the cutters is always an option if the other things fail.

Philbert

 

[rmotoman]

I would put the bar and chain on the 660. Go have some fun.

I have a echo 8000. Always run the rakers at .4-.45.

 

[mountainlake]

Light touch and don't use the dogs, every sharpening it will get better. Steve