file plate?

[SWAMPY036]

My dad got a stihl file guide with the marks on the top plate 30 deg. When using this do you keep the plate sitting flat on the cutteror do you letthe plate rest on the cutter and the raker .

 

[snowdog]

let the file guild lay flat on the tooth, it shouldn't be touching the rakers (aka the depth guage). that is for the standard filing. the most important part is to stay consistant with all the teeth. other wise you'll start wondering to the right or left.

 

[Bermie]

I beg to differ...
The Stihl file guide should rest on cutter and depth gauge, that provides support along the entire stroke...even the bar and chain manual shows it resting on both.

A tip...usually you hold the file/guide level across the chain...if you need to put more hook in the cutter lift your right hand and file downwards, if you have too much hook, do the opposite...just a couple of strokes is usually enough.