Chain grinding and filing thread

[Philbert]

The outside of the raker controls the side cutter depth.

Never thought about this Hmmmm . . .

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

I'm all eyes and ears on this. Learning something new every day.

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

It really depends on what brand of chain you're using. The cutters on the particular Stihl brand I'm looking at has a larger gap to begin with and won't need much off the side... if any at all when it gets taken down to the last couple grinds.

 

[Hedgerow]

I've seen racers will cut a cookie and then inspect the surface of the cant for smoothness. A work chain leaves a rough rippley cant face where a low drag stoned chain will leave a much smoother cant face. When telling the average fellow about a 'stoned chain' they kinda question what exactly is stoned.

Gotta keep all those cutters lined up.
Don't need any renegades cutting stuff that don't need cutting.

 

[Hedgerow]

 

[Jswanson]

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.

Couldn't people just buy race chains? What's the cost?

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Couldn't people just buy race chains? What's the cost?

The short answer is no. Someone has to make them. It's not something you can walk in and buy off a roll or shelf at the race chain shop. We're here to learn what it takes and see how it's done.

 

[RI Chevy]

Liability would be far too high for a big business to sell a "race chain"

 

[Wolverine]

Couldn't people just buy race chains? What's the cost?

Contact JR. I'm sure he'd sell you one.

 

[Hedgerow]

Couldn't people just buy race chains? What's the cost?

 

[mdavlee]

View attachment 133226

Blood costs extra[emoji23]

 

[RI Chevy]

Couldn't people just buy race chains? What's the cost?

Do you just ask for a fast one?

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Gonna need a fast chain...

Faster than that...

 

[Wilhelm]

Have you ever stoned a chain?

Yes, indeed I have - just not the way You think it is done!



Stone was stuck in a logs crotch, I aimed my cut just right and it came to a sudden stop!

There You have it, I stoned a chain . . .

 

[Duane(Pa)]

There's a few groovy rocks up at the farm...I'm a lot more careful than I once't was back in the day!

 

[Wilhelm]

Contact JR. I'm sure he'd sell you one.

That EXL loop is missing half it's teeth . . .

I know that Oregon EXL looks like this:


Just sayin' . . .

 

[RI Chevy]

Lol. Mine don't look like that. At least I don't think so. Now your gonna make me check. Lol

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

Liability would be far too high for a big business to sell a "race chain"

That would mean the local sports shop assumes liability for selling bullets and tannerite.

 

[RI Chevy]

No.... Different animal.

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

Assuming responsibility is still a thing.