chain sharpening/grinding

[bluefox]

hello guys,
I have just recently started to prune some tree and I did some cleaning up in my back yard. I have very limited experience with chain saws.
I was wondering is there a good manual available on the internet on how to sharpen or grind a dull chain? Or do any of you specialists can give some golden tips. My saw is a Stihl 012. What equipment do I need? How do I start?

Thanks,

Franky

 

[Lawn Masters]

The very best thing to have, is an open mind, and some round files of the appropriate diameter for the chain being sharpened. it takes some time to get the angles perfect, but after awhile, you just know its right.

 

[Stumper]

Dan, Linky no worky.

 

[andrethegiant70]

Same boat....

I'm also fairly new to chainsaws but this site has really helped give me an adequate working knowledge. Hopefully this will blossom into a lot of good, practical experience for which there is no substitute.

I purchased a new chain for my 041 AND a filing jig (attaches to the bar and helps you set up AND preserve your angles. Had a nice, careful, sit-down-and-read-the-instructions session and I've had nothing but a super-sharp chain ever since. It makes an incredible difference and the filing jig paid for itself in just a few days. If you plan to do a fair amount of cutting, the ability to sharpen your own chain is a skill worth having.

 

[2Coilinveins]

Once you get the angles down and can freehand, try chucking short pieces of the round file in a drill. Make sure the drill's turning the correct way for the file to cut. When one end dulls, reverse the piece so that the dull end is chucked into the drill, and use the sharp end. You'll have the change the direction the drill rotates when you reverse the piece of file.

 

[Stihl #1]

For hand filing I like the Stihl kit that has a guide to hold the file up out of the cutter at the right height, and has reference lines for keeping the angle correct. They work good for learning and getting the feel of doing it right. There is also a nice little 12 volt kit that works well if a chain is really dull. Experienced operators probably don't need the guide, but I don't hand file often enough to do it right without a guide.

 

[tony marks]

round file for ypur chain.. u also need to be aware that the depth gauges need some attention. these are between the cutters and determine the depth of bite the tooth will take out. on your size saw id keep the depth of cutfairly small ,as the saw will hold its rpm better.good luck.madsens will have some instructions ,that u will find helpful.
good luck and be careful . you probably have safety chain ,but clean up work is dangerouse ,as kick back is common in this type work.

 

[bluefox]

thanks guys for the useful tips and tricks. Strange I can't seem to find the stihl filing set here in Belgium. Propably only made for the US market. Oh well I'll find another one I guess. Strangely you guys all speak about filing. How about using an electrical grinder? Are they worth anything or can you do a better job by hand... you know what I mean...

 

[eyeinstine]

Are they worth anything or can you do a better job by hand...

Doing it by hand is okay in a pinch, but theres nothing like the real thing! And remember, theres only two kinds of men. Those that admit it, and those that lie about it!



:blush:

 

[tony marks]

well pertaining to square filing i would agree as my hand filing on square filed ,leaves a little to be desired. but as to round filing ,i can definitly beat and electric grind filing . at least any done by the dealers in this area. . it has taken time to be able to do this tho. and much good advice from this forum.so if you need chain that cuts rite rite now ,yes ,go with a good dealer. but id advise learning hand filing as ,at least for me it does produce a better cutting chain. plus in learning to do this ,you learn just what angles an such for certain saws.assuming u are using more than one. theres things to be learned about what produces faster cutting chain. also u will learn over time whgat u need to do to produce more durable chain.jmo

 

[kennertree]

practice, practice, practice. what i do is get the proper round file, find the tooth that is damaged the most, count how many strokes it takes to get it sharp. then i do all the other teeth the same way with the same amout of strokes. be sure to get your angles right and make sure you do every tooth the same or its not gonna cut right. be sure to check the depth also. once ya get it sharp keep it out of the dirt, rocks, and try to avoid any nails, it should stay sharp for a while.

 

[Stihl #1]

The Stihl kits are:
5605 007 1026 for 3/8 lo profile narrow gauge (.043")
5605 007 1027 for 3/8 lo pro (.050")
5605 007 1028 for .325"
5605 007 1029 for 3/8 standard
5605 007 1030 for .404"
These have instructions and include the depth gauge tool for lowering the depth gauge as the cutter is filed back. An electric bench grinder is expensive and requires some skill and experience to use right. After I file a chain 3 or 4 times, then i use the grinder to true all the cutters up and get everything even. But you can file a chain till it's gone without using a bench grinder, just measure the cutters every third time and try to keep them even. Stihl has a couple of file guides, one clamps on the bar, the other on the bench, and the bench model works really well and is accurate. Sorry, I don't have the part number, but the dealer should know about it. I would think these are available everywhere. The paper sheet in the file kits is in several languages. HTH

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Bluefox, chain filing is a science and fine art and we are always learning, however our expectations aren't as high when we first get started. Since we are talking round filed chain, it is my opinion that this should b done freehand. The difficult part is trying to reserect a chain that has substantial abrasive damage done to it. This is when a grinder comes in handy. Also it's a good idea to have a new chain on hand so as to try to replicate the angles of the one you are trying to file. It's really not that involved, but the more you read here the better filer you will become.
Hope this helps,
John
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