File Plates

[sprocket]

I want to file my Stihl Rapid Super chains more accurately (by file) & want to know which file plate works the best & what depth gauge should be use for the rakers? .020, 025 etc. ?

 

[tony marks]

not an expert. but the .20would probably allow a fraction more chain speed,while the .25 is gonna take a fraction bigger bite. i suspect which worked best would depend on the saw. one thing i do know is to get the rakers uniform and smooth.
luck to u.

 

[Tony Snyder]

I am not trying to be rude, but if you would go to Carlton chain you can use their very good File-O-Plates. It is a bout the neatest filing guide out there.

 

[Greg]

What about the Pferd filing system with the round and flat file on one handle? I have one and really like it. You can sharpen and take the depth guage down at the same time.
Greg

 

[johncinco]

Where do you find one of those guides from carlton? I checked their website and tiltons and they do not list any.

 

[bwalker]

Baileys sells them for around $3.

 

[Crofter]

Carlton File O Plate

This filing guide only works with Carlton chain by the way. There is enough difference in oregon chain that it wont work; didnt try it on stihl chain. The progressive raker lowering is neat.

Frank

 

[woodsjunkie]

I must be doing something wrong then.
I have been useing them for years on Oregon and Stihl chain,
Can you tell me why it only works with Carlton chain ?

 

[Crofter]

Carlton Fil O Plate on Oregon chain

The front end of the fil o plate sits down on top of the chain behind the previous cutter when you are checkin raker height. The top of the drive link on the carlton chain is straight across its top while the corresopnding area on the Oregon chain I have is slightly dished down so would give greatly incresed raker clearance. Filing the cutter might be ok. Are we looking at the same thing?

Frank

 

[woodsjunkie]

Thanks Crofter,
I will have to take a look at what you said a bit closer,
I have been using them on my Oregon chain for a long time never noticed them being to aggressive.
Anyone else had problems using file-o-plate on Oregon or stihl chains ?

 

[Kevin]

Yes, you end up with very aggressive cutters using the carlton gauge on an Oregon chain.

 

[woodsjunkie]

I must be doing something wrong then, My chains are smooth as silk.
This thread has me so concerned I check one of my chain's that I just took the rakers down with the File-o-plate with a Filemate and was rite on the money? Now I am confused I will check it in the morning with the calipers.
I'm not trying to disagree with anyone just trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong (or rite)

 

[Crofter]

Woodsjunkie; there are so many subtle differences in chain and probably even differences in the same brand from one time period to another because of manufacturing changes. The File O Plate fits down against the top of the chain rails, so if the cutter is slightly taller or shorter than carlton it will give a different amount of hook: other file plates guage from the top down so are less affected by cutter differences. That particular Oregon chain I placed the jig plate on showed the raker projecting about 15 thou. while on the Carlton chain it was just flush. I felt that it would have given near 40 thou raker cleaarance had I followed the instructions. Some people do use this kind of figure for rakers on bigger saws, so wouldnt necessesarily see anything wrong. I am running 3/8 on my 026 and definitely like the rakers 25 or Less. Baileys have the File O Plate.

Frank

 

[johncinco]

Thanks for the info as well. I went to baileys site, and after having to change several settings on my computer, I was allowed to go in and go shopping. I selected two different ones, went to check out, and found my $5.80 purchase would cost $5.95 to ship! I guess I will just to go an (egads!) actual store to buy one. I am glad you guys mentioned them working on certain chains, I guess I will try and take something with me to actually look at.

 

[Crofter]

Johncinco; I know what you mean about signing in to Baileys online. I upgraded my Browser and it took it upon itself to disable cookie catching and nothing seems to work like it used to. Momma said " I wish you would stop screwing around with that computer, now my crosswords wont come up" When will I ever learn that if it aint broke dont fix it. When you get a larger order from Baileys the shipping and handling isnt bad. That File O Plate is a nice little pocket item that will do it all for the Carlton chain. I'd like to hear it from a few more people as to its adaptability for different brands since I am basing my thoughts on having tried it on only one non- Carlton chain.

Frank

 

[Tony Snyder]

Crofter, you might try calling Carlton getting the name of a dealer near you.

Sten's in Jasper, Indiana and Tiltons are both Carlton distributors.

Tiltons retail customer assistance number is: 1-877-693-7729

What number of Carlton chain are you dealing with?
I have most of their stuff, If you strike out e-mail me.

I don't want to do any offering to sell on this site which might be against the rules. But they may not mind if I help you. If they do care they can e-mail me.

 

[glens]

Hi Frank.

I can't see what it is you're talking about as far as (much) difference in the profiles of the driver link tops.

Current Carlton 3/8 chain:
<img src="http://sawchain.com/images/chain%20new/A1LM.jpg" alt="carlton 3/8 chain" title="carlton 3/8 chain">

Current Oregon 3/8 chain:
<img src="http://www.oregonchain.com/images/Product/Chain/detail/38_72lg_detail.jpg" alt="oregon 3/8 chain" title="oregon 3/8 chain">

I can't quickly find any images of the Stihl chain to link, but the 33RS I'm currently using appears to be substantially the same in profile as these two examples.

Of course, I'm only considering the depth gauge adjustment capabilities of the file-o-plate.

The Elux devices look a bit attractive in terms of maintaining progressive depth adjustment, and they're obviously designed with Oregon chain in mind.

Tony, I see on a preview of the post that you're here now too.&nbsp; That you have the Carlton stuff for me to look at as well as the Jonsereds is even more reason I need to get down your way.

Glen

 

[Crofter]

Glens: from your pictures I can see that you would be wondering what I was talking about. On the Oregon Chain I have, the top of the drive link immediately above the number 72 is dished nearly 1/16 of an inch instead of being straight across as in both of the examples you show. That is exactly the area that locates one end of the File O Plate for raker guaging. I am not sure now what the numbers were on that particular loop of chain. I will see if I can dig it up.

Frank

 

[Crofter]

Tony: The Carlton chain I have is A350 LM N.The Oregon chain I was referring to has a ramped guard link and the drive links are dished on the top. I no longer have the box to give the designation of it. Some other Oregon chains I have do not have the dish on the top of drive link and appear that the File O Plate would be OK on them for depth guaging, so I guess I should not state that the File O Plate will only work with Carlton chain. There is at least one Oregon chain though that it will not give proper raker height on. I guess I am just going to have to get a digital camera. It sure is true that one picture is worth a thousand words.

Frank

 

[Crofter]

Update on File O Plate

I went out and bought a loop of 3/8 stihl RS Chain just to compare with the Carlton regarding using the Carlton File O Plate on. It does not sit against the cutter the same and in this case I feel it would leave th raker high rather than low as on the Oregon chain I have. I think it would also hold the file higher on the tooth on the Stihl chain than it would on the Carlton so I think there is some checking to do before you use the Fil O Plate on other than Carlton chain

Frank