Best chain for hardwood?

[mdavlee]

Whatever I have handy. My favorite are vallorbe.

 

[Deets066]

I've put 3 tanks through the 034s with square, still cuttin good

 

[Deets066]

Let's try that again

 

[exSW]

I am now trying to figure out how to use the file n joint to square file. We will see lol

I have 8-10 square filed chains here done by others. I'm going to start by dressing up theirs as they dull instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. I would suggest you get a couple fresh chains from someone here that knows their chit and go from there.

 

[junkman]

15-20 on top plate,get the side plate as up and down with least hook you can

 

[Khntr85]

So is it fair to say that you want a lot less angle on the top plate when square filing.... I mean if I am doing 30 degree now that is a lot less of an angle....of course the 30 degree is on the stihl RM and RS chain!!!

 

[mdavlee]

30 degree works.

 

[Khntr85]

I can get 5 tanks or more if I don't hit dirt

Yes sir I am just checking, but are you saying you can go 5 tanks of fuel without filing your chain.... Are you cutting hard or soft wood.... I am not tryin to sound condisending by any means, but if you can go 5-tank cutting hard wood like shagbark hickory and white oak, I will be trying my hand at square filing tomorro...I have been wanting to learn how to for a long time, but that would be absolutely great to stay sharp that long!!

 

[mdavlee]

Oak yes. Shagbark probably not that long. I mill with it and can get around 30-40 bd ft milled on one sharpening in cherry.

 

[jakethesnake]

I feel like a regular filed chain can go several tanks without a touch up. I have no experience with square. What makes it hold an edge any better I guess is my question. To me it doesn't make sense. I'm just asking as I honestly don't know.

 

[exSW]

I've had really good luck with square hanging in. With clean hardwood. I'm going to say five tanks easy. I don't beat my chain up as soon as I feel one going away I change out. I've run it on 20" with the 6100,24" on the Alpina 700,28" on the ProMac 850 and 28" on the Homelite 925. No issues with longevity and productivity goes way up.

 

[Khntr85]

I guess I just need to try it to find out..... Can I go over a tank or 2 without sharpening, absolutely, I just don't like to run my saws without best possible me chains...I have some stihl RS, maybe I buy a 6-sides file somewhere and give it a go!!!!

 

[mdavlee]

I feel like a regular filed chain can go several tanks without a touch up. I have no experience with square. What makes it hold an edge any better I guess is my question. To me it doesn't make sense. I'm just asking as I honestly don't know.

How big is the working corner on a chisel chain filed round compared to a square corner filed?

 

[jakethesnake]

How big is the working corner on a chisel chain filed round compared to a square corner filed?

I guess I hadn't thought quite that far about it. I'd probably hit a rock of some dirt before I would gain in longevity I don't know how to square file either.

 

[CoreyB]

Ok this is my first ever square filed tooth. Lol it is on an old junk chain.
Please be as critical as you are willing.
I think that is how it is supposed to look.
I did 20deg top and 25 deg tilt. Ifor this is any good I may try converting a chain tomorrow.

 

[Deets066]

View attachment 26147
Ok this is my first ever square filed tooth. Lol it is on an old junk chain.
Please be as critical as you are willing.
I think that is how it is supposed to look.
I did 20deg top and 25 deg tilt. Ifor this is any good I may try converting a chain tomorrow.

Need a little more forward lean with your cutter and clean out that gullet

 

[Deets066]

Need a little more forward lean with your cutter and clean out that gullet

View attachment 26153
View attachment 26156

First pic is moparmyway's
Second is one of mine

 

[mdavlee]

 

[concretegrazer]

View attachment 26147
Ok this is my first ever square filed tooth. Lol it is on an old junk chain.
Please be as critical as you are willing.
I think that is how it is supposed to look.
I did 20deg top and 25 deg tilt. Ifor this is any good I may try converting a chain tomorrow.

Give 35 top 30 tilt a try.

 

[junkman]

The cutting edge of round is thinner than square due to the curve in a round file ,so round should dull faster ,30 degrees is more fragile than 20 so 20 will outcut 30 in chainlife at sacrifice of speed