Frustrating chain performance...

[DrewUth]

So, at first glance, they look pretty good...Two sets of random cutters on random parts of the chain...

 

[DrewUth]

But as I started measuring them...

 

[DrewUth]

...It was apparent there was a lot of variation.

So, I found the shortest cutter, sharpened it and then set all the others to that size. Well...within a .005" margin; it was tricky to get it closer than that as each swipe of the file took off around that much. Plus it was cold in the shop haha and that's all the patience I had last night. I have another saw to test today so I will get this mounted and see how it cuts...I am excited. I didn't touch the rakers, They have been filed previously. The Husky sharpening tool should arrive tomorrow so I will check the rakers when it arrives.

 

[merc_man]

Any pics of the chain after you sharpened it.

Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk

 

[RI Chevy]

Cool. Hopefully the chain will cut much straighter for you now.

 

[Fish]

Yes, don't worry about the top plate so much. Show us pics of the part that does the cutting.

 

[Philbert]

Thanks for the pics. There is some variation that you clearly measured, but not that bad compared to a lot of chains that still cut.

E.g. - here is a photo from a hand sharpened chain by someone oblivious to the concept of 'consistency' ('Yes' - it IS the same loop!):


While it is always hard to judge from photos, the cutters do not scream 'SHARP!'. The depth gauges, shown in Post #41, also look a little different on the R and L sides (again, could be the photos).

I agree with Mr. Fish, that I would like to see larger photos of the cutting edges / bevels (from the side). Is it possible that you are not getting the same top and side plate bevel on R and L cutters?

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Wow. Big discrepancy there.

 

[DrewUth]

Will do- I'll grab some shots of the cutting edge this evening. For what its worth, the little fackers were razor sharp when I was done and I cut my hand on them as I was rotating the chain

 

[jakethesnake]

If you now use that taker guide you have the Saw will cut. I found long ago I wasn't half as bad with a file as I thought I was Just needed to take rakers down... I still hate that job to this day

 

[DrewUth]

Sorry for the delay in responding all, had a busy weekend. The Husky filing guide was in the mailbox when I got home on Friday so I went right to lowering the rakers...took a fair bit of material off. Checked my angles on one or two cutters and they were pretty darn close to right on. Mounted it on the saw and hole-e-shyte boys it was like a whole new beast. I set them to the "hard" depth as I cut 90% oak where I am at. It self fed, chewed through the wood and spat huge chips like no chain I have sharpened in a pretty long time. I have 3 or 4 other loops for this bar that I want to go over now! I have to get one of these guides for .325 and LoPro as well, I am sold on it.

EDIT- Looking at these pics, I think I took them before I did the rakers.

 

[Khntr85]

Good deal man, feels good when the saw and chain do all the cutting!!!!!

 

[Cracker Boy]

I get a hook in my chains after about 4 hand sharpenings they start to cut crooked too i take them to buddys shop so he can put them on the grinder and sqaure everything back up for me im thinking of buying the timberlane sharpener or a grinder just for that reason.as matter of fact i had my buddy sharpen bout 8 to 10 loops the other day that were cutting like doo doo

 

[Philbert]

A basic file guide should control the amount of hook. Keeping things even takes concentration and practice.

Philbert

 

[Crzybowhntr]

your calendar is outdated.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Good to hear you got her to eat and she is hungry again!

 

[2manyhounds]

I've trained many new trimmers and this is the easiest way I've found for most to find angle, pitch and basic muscle memory. A cheap simple bar clamps style guide gets most able to hold things consistent within a couple weeks,and then it goes in the sandbox until the next new kid shows up. Practice builds muscle memory first skill and understanding comes soon after..

 

[2manyhounds]

Oops sawbox

 

[Khntr85]

Y

I've trained many new trimmers and this is the easiest way I've found for most to find angle, pitch and basic muscle memory. A cheap simple bar clamps style guide gets most able to hold things consistent within a couple weeks,and then it goes in the sandbox until the next new kid shows up. Practice builds muscle memory first skill and understanding comes soon after..View attachment 62462

yep I agree....I used to use a granberg and still donwhen time permits...you can get an absolutely GREaT gain with it.....and as you said I do believe it helps a guy learn how to free hand....I personally think anyone just starting out should get a granberg or the file-o-plate....both help a newbie learn the correct angles!!!!

 

[Al Smith]

People have a tendency to file heavy on one side or the other of the chain .The method I use is right over the back of the saw looking down on the chain doing a right left right in succession until it's all been sharpened.Some chisel chain cuts better with a 10 degree up angle towards the point .Some like some Carlton doesn't cut as good with a compound angle .I found that out on some stuff I got from Baileys years ago .Most miserable chain I ever owned,Baileys "house " brand .It was cheap but after I got it soon learned why .