Chain grinding and filing thread

Chainsaw Jim · Jun 21, 2018

I would like to start this thread to help those who aren't very skilled at grinding chain for exhibition and racing. Not knowing the science of fast chain has kept many good folks away from the starting line, causing the event coordinators to struggle finding enough competitors to run events, and I hope to change that.
This will also help those who only want a good cutting work chain.

It all starts with picking the right chain. I'm hoping a few members here can help with a list of chain to look for, and chain to avoid.

I'll be adding more here in a couple hours when I get a break from the shop.

Duane(Pa) · Jun 21, 2018

I'm in!

AlfA01 · Jun 21, 2018

huskyboy · Jun 21, 2018

Subbed

Duane(Pa) · Jun 21, 2018

I recently sent a friend a chain to be hand filed. He was relieved to know it was an Oregon brand chain, because he said they are "easy" on the files. When you have plenty of material to remove, you want something that isn't going to wreck your file. (they can get a little pricey for the good ones)

RI Chevy · Jun 21, 2018

I think the biggest issue is trying to find a decent grinder without having to refinance house or take out a home equity line just to buy it. Not to many guys on here can afford a Silvey or the other expensive grinders.
But I am very interested in this thread.

huskyboy · Jun 21, 2018

RI Chevy said:
I think the biggest issue is trying to find a decent grinder without having to refinance house or take out a home equity line just to buy it. Not to many guys on here can afford a Silvey or the other expensive grinders.
But I am very interested in this thread.

Agreed.

Duane(Pa) · Jun 21, 2018

RI Chevy said:
I think the biggest issue is trying to find a decent grinder without having to refinance house or take out a home equity line just to buy it. Not to many guys on here can afford a Silvey or the other expensive grinders.
But I am very interested in this thread.

I got lucky when I bought mine. Price included shipping too, so that helped a ton.

Philbert · Jun 21, 2018

Philbert is in.

Philbert

RI Chevy · Jun 21, 2018

Can anyone who has a Simington please report on how you like it? I think its pretty much the only option out there right now.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

Philbert · Jun 21, 2018

RI Chevy said:
I think the biggest issue is trying to find a decent grinder without having to refinance house or take out a home equity line just to buy it.

Best current value I know of on a good, basic grinder. No built in light. No 'down angle'. But otherwise, a full-sized Tecomec grinder and wheels.

Philbert

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tecomec-Co...670400?hash=item58ec206e40:g:nu0AAOSwySFZfiXE

Armbru84 · Jun 21, 2018

I like my simington. Send to make a very consistent edge and I believe you can make a fast chain with it. I do find the best way to get it dialed in is to adjust your dresser angles to find what does and doesn’t work.

Armbru84 · Jun 21, 2018

If Dave ever gets the 5 cube vids uploaded from hedgerows you can see that chain in action. Lol

brshephard · Jun 21, 2018

RI Chevy said:
I think the biggest issue is trying to find a decent grinder without having to refinance house or take out a home equity line just to buy it. Not to many guys on here can afford a Silvey or the other expensive grinders.
But I am very interested in this thread.

RI Chevy said:
Can anyone who has a Simington please report on how you like it? I think its pretty much the only option out there right now.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

The simington is the only new square grinder on the market. They run about 1k.
If you're on the fence about buying one, I'd recommend it.
If the price is tough to swallow consider this:
-square chain will make all your saws cut faster and smoother (my work grind is much faster than RS)
-square grinders do an excellent job of holding their value. If you don't like it, sell it and recoup most of your money.
-they last a lifetime, literally. My simington is like 40 years old and running strong.

Wilhelm · Jun 22, 2018

Duane(Pa) said:
I recently sent a friend a chain to be hand filed. He was relieved to know it was an Oregon brand chain, because he said they are "easy" on the files. When you have plenty of material to remove, you want something that isn't going to wreck your file. (they can get a little pricey for the good ones)

I like Stihl files, round ones, but they are definitely dull enough after two 72DL loops that I replace them rather than continue messing with them.
Price is OK I guess, I pay about 2$ per file.

I finally got diamond laced files, they are intended for my Carbide loops, but I'll try them on the regular steel chains as well.

RI Chevy said:
I think the biggest issue is trying to find a decent grinder without having to refinance house or take out a home equity line just to buy it. Not to many guys on here can afford a Silvey or the other expensive grinders.
But I am very interested in this thread.

I have a cheap supermarket unit, I think it's crap.
It is collecting dust and holding down the shelf, I occasionally use it to set rakers equally on my loops.

I file my chains 99% of the time, no matter how bad they are.
They generally turn out OK, when they don't I just repeat.

merc_man · Jun 22, 2018

Me too

Duane(Pa) said:
I'm in!

Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk

Moparmyway · Jun 22, 2018

RI Chevy said:
Can anyone who has a Simington please report on how you like it? I think its pretty much the only option out there right now.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

I absolutely LOVE mine !!!

RI Chevy · Jun 22, 2018

Looks heavy duty Kevin. Nice.
Thanks for the replies guys. [emoji106]

RI Chevy · Jun 22, 2018

brshephard said:
The simington is the only new square grinder on the market. They run about 1k.
If you're on the fence about buying one, I'd recommend it.
If the price is tough to swallow consider this:
-square chain will make all your saws cut faster and smoother (my work grind is much faster than RS)
-square grinders do an excellent job of holding their value. If you don't like it, sell it and recoup most of your money.
-they last a lifetime, literally. My simington is like 40 years old and running strong.

How does your square file hold up when cutting wood that is dirty? I have noticed that the square is really for felling and cutting trees that are clean and dirt free. I and others have noticed that square filed chains don't stay sharp as long as round filed chains in dirty wood. Just mentioning this.

Leafy · Jun 22, 2018

Holy cow a simngton costs a grand? And there's no China made square grinders competing with it at all. I have an idea, but need an answer first. Does the grinder need to swing into the cut in order to clear the straps or could it approach straight like if the spindle was on a slider rather than a hinge?

Chain grinding and filing thread

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