Square Files

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Ask @Philbert, he has owned or tried just about every sharpening tool out there. Electric chainsaw guru also. He has good advise!
 
I want to try some square filing and square-filed chain
Can someone tell me what is the preferred file?
Where to get a file?
3/8" LPX chain
I like the pferd and get them from Baileys. I'm sure they are available elsewhere.
 
I'm curious as well about which files guys like - of the ones currently available. I haven't noticed much difference. The true Oberg were the best by far, but it seems they quit making them a long time ago. I hope I have enough of them to last me out.
 
I use the bacho files. There priced right for someone starting out. You will ruin some files in the learning process. My cutters are ugly but they cut good. I need lots more practice.

I grabbed a few of these, and have yet to use them. Look like the quality of any other file, i.e. good! And the price was right.
 
20200410_162255.jpg
They do the job well for there price. This is my 3rd chain since I decided to learn how to square file. First one I'm comfortable posting close up shots of the cutters. Angles are still a little aggressive for the hard woods I cut but getting better each time.
 
File Maintenance

(Pun Intended)

Looking for some information on square file choices and availability, I ran across several, similar threads. Some are pretty old. Thought that we could direct them to this one, so that everyone can share information with everyone else, and keep things current.

Some of the other threads, if interested: I will add pointers in each to direct people to this thread:

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/square-files.272471/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/square-chain-files.253892/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/files-for-square-chisel-brand-and-style.62912/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/what-files-for-square-chisel.57601/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/square-chisel-files.39489/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/square-files.11037/

Philbert
 
Searched for single or double-bevel files recently for square filing chain. This is what I found. Prices vary with quantity, and the site you buy from. Be sure to include shipping costs, which vary considerably.

Bacho (3 sites - same seller)
https://aboloxtools.com/Bahco-4-150-07-3-0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Flat-Chise...07-3-0-/274523225534?var=&hash=item85cfdb48fd
Amazon (search Bahco 4-150-07-3-0 Flat Chisel Bit File, 7-Inch )

Save Edge
7" FLAT CHISEL BIT FILE
https://stahlssupplies.com/view_cart.asp?catid=52
https://www.baileysonline.com/save-...-chisel-bit-chainsaw-files-each-638-1070.html
Vallorbe
https://www.mgpsupply.com/products/vallorbe-double-chisel-bit-files?_pos=2&_sid=1587a9fd9&_ss=r
https://www.baileysonline.com/vallorbe-single-bevel-chisel-bit-chainsaw-files-15080p.html
Philbert
 
is it all hype? i understand speed is a factor and have seen it actually preform faster in the cut. also seen it dull faster. seems to be really popular with falling big timber. to me, the time it takes to hand file chisel square and then reshape the gullet with round to accomplish a square grind is counter productive. is there anyone who can enlighten me on the Square grind? poor novice me been using square tooth round ground. knock’n em down just the same.
 
It's much faster if done up right, or close to right. No it doesnt seem to like dirty wood. I prefer it if I'm in clean wood, but am just ok at filing it.
From what I understand it takes less power to do the same work with a square file profile at the sacrifice of breaking or dulling the edge faster, same for square chain with a round file, then you have the round chain that has the most robust edge, but more surface area that is harder to cut with. Poor explanation. This explains it much better then I. If you've never ran square file chain it is worth it imo to try it out even if just once.
http://www.madsens1.com/bnc_teeth_types.htm
 
is it all hype? i understand speed is a factor and have seen it actually preform faster in the cut. also seen it dull faster. seems to be really popular with falling big timber. to me, the time it takes to hand file chisel square and then reshape the gullet with round to accomplish a square grind is counter productive. is there anyone who can enlighten me on the Square grind? poor novice me been using square tooth round ground. knock’n em down just the same.

There’s a huge difference in square especially a well ground tooth vs a round grind tooth. It’s smooth faster, faster and more predictable how it’s going to cut. It’s worth it especially production cutting timber day in and day out most of us that run it day use a grinder to sharpen with. The gullet us need to be removed every so often two way of doing it yes with a round file or be most of the grinders will do gullets as well. There’s a myth that it dulls faster then round of its chisel vs chisel it stays just as sharp as long as you don’t have a beak.

This is a 36 on a 395 a little hungry first thing in this second growth Doug fir but after that tree it really started cutting good.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It's much faster if done up right, or close to right. No it doesnt seem to like dirty wood. I prefer it if I'm in clean wood, but am just ok at filing it.
From what I understand it takes less power to do the same work with a square file profile at the sacrifice of breaking or dulling the edge faster, same for square chain with a round file, then you have the round chain that has the most robust edge, but more surface area that is harder to cut with. Poor explanation. This explains it much better then I. If you've never ran square file chain it is worth it imo to try it out even if just once.
http://www.madsens1.com/bnc_teeth_types.htm
thanks for the link very informative, i guess if you own a grinder it’s a simple task grinding square. i’ve seen guys do it by hand just seemed like a pain to accomplish.
 
There’s a huge difference in square especially a well ground tooth vs a round grind tooth. It’s smooth faster, faster and more predictable how it’s going to cut. It’s worth it especially production cutting timber day in and day out most of us that run it day use a grinder to sharpen with. The gullet us need to be removed every so often two way of doing it yes with a round file or be most of the grinders will do gullets as well. There’s a myth that it dulls faster then round of its chisel vs chisel it stays just as sharp as long as you don’t have a beak.

This is a 36 on a 395 a little hungry first thing in this second growth Doug fir but after that tree it really started cutting good.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thank you as well! may have to end up getting a table grinder and experiment.
 
I do mine by hand, the grinders are too expensive for my budget atm. It's not terrible to do, just takes patience. I do t have many chains that arw square ground for that reason, but they do cut much faster then square with a round file.
 
Searched for single or double-bevel files recently for square filing chain. This is what I found. Prices vary with quantity, and the site you buy from
Tried to buy the Bahco files from the eBay seller above. Got a shipping confirmation, and USPS tracking number, billed my credit card, and everything. They did not show up. When I contacted them, I was told that they never really shipped, because they were out of stock (?). Waited 3 weeks, and they only told me when I looked into it? They cancelled the order and are issuing a refund, so, somehow, I can't even leave them feedback for some reason (?), but I am sharing my experience here, since I kind of 'recommended' them above. Your experience may differ.

Meanwhile, found the same files for a lower price from a different seller (zoro.com), although, you have to buy in quantities of 10. Free shipping on orders over $75. If you can use the additional files, it works out to the same price as the eBay seller, plus you also get $10 in 'free' money to spend on something else (lots of tools, machine supplies, hardware, etc.). They also sell the Pferd files, but again, you have to buy in quantities of 10 or 12.

https://www.zoro.com/snap-on-industrial-brands-bahco-flat-chisel-bit-file-7-4-150-07-3-0/i/G7616686/
Phlbert
 
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