Okay, I give up. What am I doing wrong with my chain sharpening.

[Mpbowyer]

My MS 362 is cutting honestly slower than my 200T (i know, i know). I run an ES bar with two different chains, one the RS3 semi-chisel chain that came with it, the other is an RSC non-safety full-chisel. I'm having trouble with both chains. When they were new this thing could produce chips by the bushel.

In the cut the saw feels almost like there is no chain on the bar, sometimes it even burns the wood and smokes. If I get it to cut, the cut is incredibly slow, and "leaning into it" against the dogs just causes the chain to stop and slip the clutch. The sawdust / chips I'm creating is probably 2/3 rectangular chips, and 1/3 dust. It doesn't matter if I'm cross-cutting, ripping, or cutting at an angle for a face-cut.

I am sharpening with a new STIHL 13/64 round file in a stihl holder (30-degrees to the bar, flat horizontal strokes), and I've tried the stihl and oregon raker files and gages. My teeth are almost exactly uniform in length, I always file the same amount of strokes on each cutter.

I'm pretty sure my power head is running properly. The saw only has about 4 gallons of gas through it. It slightly 4-strokes out of the cut, or if you're cutting small limbs.

I have a micrometer, and depth gages, so I can go out and measure anything to help troubleshoot. I'd like to get this figured out tonight so I can help a neighbor tomorrow.


Thanks

 

[SilverKing]

My MS 362 is cutting honestly slower than my 200T (i know, i know). I run an ES bar with two different chains, one the RS3 semi-chisel chain that came with it, the other is an RSC non-safety full-chisel. I'm having trouble with both chains. When they were new this thing could produce chips by the bushel.

In the cut the saw feels almost like there is no chain on the bar, sometimes it even burns the wood and smokes. If I get it to cut, the cut is incredibly slow, and "leaning into it" against the dogs just causes the chain to stop and slip the clutch. The sawdust / chips I'm creating is probably 2/3 rectangular chips, and 1/3 dust. It doesn't matter if I'm cross-cutting, ripping, or cutting at an angle for a face-cut.

I am sharpening with a new STIHL 13/64 round file in a stihl holder (30-degrees to the bar, flat horizontal strokes), and I've tried the stihl and oregon raker files and gages. My teeth are almost exactly uniform in length, I always file the same amount of strokes on each cutter.

I'm pretty sure my power head is running properly. The saw only has about 4 gallons of gas through it. It slightly 4-strokes out of the cut, or if you're cutting small limbs.

I have a micrometer, and depth gages, so I can go out and measure anything to help troubleshoot. I'd like to get this figured out tonight so I can help a neighbor tomorrow.


Thanks

might make sure your running the right gauge chain,say for instance if the bar is for .058 and your runnin .050 it aint gonna cut ,maybe try holdin the file higher on the tooth too

 

[Simonizer]

Can you post a pic buddy?

 

[Mpbowyer]

I triple-checked my chain and bar gage. Both 50. Here are some pictures of my chains. Thanks all for looking, I know this is 100% user-error, and I just need help.

 

[RAMROD48]

might make sure your running the right gauge chain,say for instance if the bar is for .058 and your runnin .050 it aint gonna cut ,maybe try holdin the file higher on the tooth too

I have never seen an .058 Stihl bar in person...

Stihl 3/8's come with .050...

 

[50blues]

I know its a stupid question, but is the chain on backwards?

 

[RAMROD48]

I triple-checked my chain and bar gage. Both 50. Here are some pictures of my chains. Thanks all for looking, I know this is 100% user-error, and I just need help.

Your not taking off enough damage....get back to it...

 

[Mpbowyer]

I know its a stupid question, but is the chain on backwards?

Actually a wonderful question, but unfortunately no.

 

[Mpbowyer]

Your not taking off enough damage....get back to it...

Sorry, but I honestly don't get what you're saying.

 

[RAMROD48]

Picture #4 shows the damage very clearly....that "black" edge needs to come off...

 

[RAMROD48]

Sorry, but I honestly don't get what you're saying.

Your not getting the damage off, you need to take more material off...dont know how to be more clear...

 

[Mpbowyer]

Picture #4 shows the damage very clearly....that "black" edge needs to come off...

You mean on top of the cutter? That's just burn wood / oil. You can rub it off with your finger. Or do you mean something else?

 

[RAMROD48]

You mean on top of the cutter? That's just burn wood / oil. You can rub it off with your finger. Or do you mean something else?

On the leading edge...the chain is still dull...very easy to see when you know what your looking at...its much easier to explain in person...I will try and edit a pic to show you...

 

[Mpbowyer]

Your not getting the damage off, you need to take more material off...dont know how to be more clear...

You mean the actual leading edge of the cutter, where there is a tiny tiny black line. I can buy that. I've been doing 3-8 strokes per sharpening, and maybe I just put it deep into the sand once, and I'm just working with a dull-ass chain.

Let me try to get more pictures of the actual cutting knife-edge of the cutters.

 

[SilverKing]

I can see some damage on the cutters,try holding up on the file a bit more,and put more pressure backwards on the file.Drop down to 3/16 file when the cutters wear to about half length.

 

[RAMROD48]

View attachment 249097

Look at your picture and the one I edited...

There is no such thing as 3-8 strokes per tooth...you stroke till its sharp, not a stroke less...

and there is no feeling a sharp chain..you have to see a sharp chain...if that makes sense...

 

[RAMROD48]

You mean the actual leading edge of the cutter, where there is a tiny tiny black line. I can buy that. I've been doing 3-8 strokes per sharpening, and maybe I just put it deep into the sand once, and I'm just working with a dull-ass chain.

Let me try to get more pictures of the actual cutting knife-edge of the cutters.

Yes, that needs to be filed away...:msp_thumbup:

 

[dbittle]

That puppy is just not sharp yet

It looks to me like you just didn't file it enough to get it sharp. You might try a new file too, as that can make a big difference. I use one of the Granberg file-n-joint rigs to hold the cutters still and keep all of the angles right as well. Bailey's sells them, and they also have a box of a dozen files for about $16. A good investment in my view. Woodsman pro is decent, Pferd is a finer file so it takes a little longer but seems to last a little longer too before it gets dull. I have just tried Save Edge and so far its doing a great job for me. With that setup, all you really have to do is get the rakers set correctly and file until you have a good sharp edge all the way across the tooth. It makes the job a lot easier.

 

[Mpbowyer]

 

[RAMROD48]

Gotta take off more material...thats probably the number 1 thing I fight when trying to teach a new to shapening person...is they dont take off enough material...

good thing is you seem to have keeping the same angles down...