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Custom depth gauge

Canadian farm boy

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Just curious how everyone sets up their depth gauges(rakers) for their play chains. Lately I've been trying to file some fairly aggressive/fast chains for play. I've got a couple different guides. One is .025 and the other is .030. I'd really like to try .020 on the chains for my smaller saws. Maybe even .018.

My only thought was to place a .005 feeler gauge between the chain and the underside of my raker gauge.

Does anybody have any tips or tricks on how to accurately do this?
 

huskihl

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I lay my raker file on top of the teeth and use feeler gauges. Once you get a feel for it it goes quicker.
 

Philbert

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mdavlee

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I use the trial and error method. Never been able to set them to a certain depth. Every saw and chain is a tiny bit different
 

mdavlee

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MarkEagleUSA

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Some guys have been using cheap, digital, tire depth gauge tools (under $10 on eBay). Probably better for measuring existing offsets than for setting them.
I just picked one of these up for about $7 shipped (US seller too). Using some 3/4" aluminum angle I made a larger base for it. I also cut off the little "flat" on the end of the plunger to give it a better surface to measure with.

I agree it's better for checking than setting... there's no lock so it's a bit hard to maintain a setting.

I'm thinking the base likely needs to be longer (currently about 2-3/8") to be useful on skip chain.

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I just picked one of these up for about $7 shipped (US seller too). Using some 3/4" aluminum angle I made a larger base for it. I also cut off the little "flat" on the end of the plunger to give it a better surface to measure with.

I agree it's better for checking than setting... there's no lock so it's a bit hard to maintain a setting.

I'm thinking the base likely needs to be longer (currently about 2-3/8") to be useful on skip chain.

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Looks great!
I actually just picked up a digital tread depth gauge myself and had the same idea about extending the base.
Great minds think alike:thumbsup:
 

junkman

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If you get one inch or bigger chips ,do a swipe at a time till they get smaller
 

Philbert

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I just picked one of these up for about $7 shipped . . .
REALLY Nice!

I have one on order, . . . just because it was $7 shipped ($5 if willing to wait about a month). I think that the one I ordered is also supposed to be blue!
Now I will have to make a snazzy base for it - mind if I copy your design?

Philbert
 

huskihl

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I've never been a fan of all the electronic, hydraulic, ergonomic, etc gadgetry, but if a guy wants to keep his rakers all the same every few sharpenings, that thing looks like it might work really well. Especially once he learns how many swipes to take off .003, .008, etc. Seems like you could get really accurate readings at a quick glance
 

Philbert

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I've never been a fan of all the electronic, hydraulic, ergonomic, etc gadgetry, but if a guy wants to keep his rakers all the same every few sharpenings, that thing looks like it might work really well.
I plan to try it more for a diagnostic / educational tool. You can speculate, "Your rakers are probably too high", or, you can show someone a digital output that says "0.19" (or whatever). Looks authoritative.

Or, you can have 2 chains, where one cuts a lot better (or maybe too rough), and you want to get some numbers to replicate the good one. You can do the iterative thing (file a little, cut a little, . . . ). Or, you can use a straight edge and feeler gauges. Or, you can risk $7 . . .

Philbert
 
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huskihl

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I plan to try it more for a diagnostic / educational tool. You can speculate, "Your rakers are probably too high", or, you can show them a digital output that says "0.19" (or whatever). Looks authoritative.

Or, you can have 2 chains, where one cuts a lot better (or maybe too rough), and you want to get some numbers to replicate the good one. You can do the iterative thing (file a little, cut a little, . . . ). Or, you can use a straight edge and feeler gauges. Or, you can risk $7 . . .

Philbert
For $7? Absolutely
 

huskihl

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Sorry, I didn't look at any links. Is the plunger spring loaded so it would be easy for one handed operation?
 

MarkEagleUSA

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Sorry, I didn't look at any links. Is the plunger spring loaded so it would be easy for one handed operation?
Not spring loaded. In the quick test I did with it last night, I just put the plunger out a bit, rested it on the raker, and pulled the body down to the teeth.
 
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