I thought that I posted this in response to a newbie question last night. Either that thread got dropped, or I was dreaming. But I spent a lot of time on the illustration, and the question gets asked a lot, so I am posting it here.
One of the classic issues with people learning to sharpen is getting the file or grinding wheel in the right place - you are trying to sharpen the cutting edges (top and side), not the gullet. File guides help to hold files in this position.
Don't over-think things: pick one method and work on it until you get good chains. It helps to have someone show you in person.
- get the top and side cutting edges sharp;
- make every cutter on a loop the same length and angles for a smoother cutting chain (more important that they are the same than getting an exact angle);
- if a sharp chain is not cutting, check your depth gauges.
Philbert
One of the classic issues with people learning to sharpen is getting the file or grinding wheel in the right place - you are trying to sharpen the cutting edges (top and side), not the gullet. File guides help to hold files in this position.
Don't over-think things: pick one method and work on it until you get good chains. It helps to have someone show you in person.
- get the top and side cutting edges sharp;
- make every cutter on a loop the same length and angles for a smoother cutting chain (more important that they are the same than getting an exact angle);
- if a sharp chain is not cutting, check your depth gauges.
Philbert