Hand-Filing Husqvarna X-Cut Chain

[Wilhelm]

What in the fking world would possess somebody to try and duplicate the factory grind of C83 chain with hand files?

Or even with a grinder?

Who has time for this sht?

Placebo effect!
If it looks fancy it has got to work great.

To me the factory X-Cut grind does not offer any superiority over my regular round grinds, as such I don't even bother trying to replicate it.

My thoughts exactly. Round file and back to cutting in a couple minutes.

Exactly, Round ground/filed FTW!
Big-C, Little-C, even the "sickle" profile has its place.

But hey, those who feel the need to experiment can do so.
It may result in useful info and better working techniques therefore benefiting the community.

Full chisel X-Cut is a great chain, the funky factory grind is only a small part of its properties.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I get paid to cut trees, so I guess that makes me a professional?, I also have my B class felling and C class bucking certificate from the US forestry dept,( although it's not required for my job) does that make me a professional? Idk?
I like cutting and tinkering around with chainsaws and its related gear ,definitely not a waste of time in my opinion , ( there's bigger wastes for men for sure if it is). I purposely moved to a warmer climate because of its history of wasting time! Once humans were smart enough to leave the tundra they had time to innovate and progress, instead of living day to day like primitive idiots. The warmer climate created a luxury style living with scholars and art as well as inventions.
Choosing to struggle is a waste of time to me , hard work and pain is unavoidable in life ,I certainly don't need to ad to it.
I can only hope most of you guys on here have a good enough life to dick around with chains and files.

 

[Stump Shot]

I get paid to cut trees, so I guess that makes me a professional?, I also have my B class felling and C class bucking certificate from the US forestry dept,( although it's not required for my job) does that make me a professional? Idk?

Nope, a keyboard and internet connection are all that is required in the modern world.

 

[rogue60]

My thoughts exactly. Round file and back to cutting in a couple minutes.

WTF A couple minutes? Apparently it takes one hr to sharpen a chain! And even then you have to take it off the saw to be that quick!

Oh I better add also ya gotta say "get the gullet" as well! then you truly are a gun hand filer! and it doesn't hurt if one is cross eyed is way more convincing on camera.

 

[Woodwater]

 

[Loony661]

I want to add some context to my previous posts on the last page: X-cut is fast chain out of the box, there’s no arguing that.

What I meant was, for me in my position, it’s not practical to replicate the factory grind while I’m logging. It’s also not practical to swap a chain every time one gets dull. A round file is your friend in my situation, and can get me back up and cutting very quickly.

That being said, I don’t think most chainsaw users round file correctly, which gives them a bad taste for filing by hand, or the chains that have been round filed. So I understand why some guys opt to swap chains often, or take them home to sharpen them differently. Which also ties into, how many chains I need to fix for others that bring me chains that someone else absolutely butchered on a grinder. A lot of folks with a chainsaw grinder don’t know how to properly use them as well. Angles and depth are everything on a chainsaw chain tooth. File or grinder, you can improperly sharpen a chain in a hurry with either. On the contrary, a properly round filed chain is fast, efficient, and easy to maintain.

If guys who play with saws and cut some firewood want to take the time to replicate the factory grind of X-cut, go for it.

 

[Wilhelm]

...
I can only hope most of you guys on here have a good enough life to dick around with chains and files.

My two sole joys in life are my moms pup and dicking around with chainsaws (and accompanying items!).

 

[Philbert]

I can only hope most of you guys on here have a good enough life to dick around with chains and files.

My two sole joys in life are my moms pup and dicking around with chainsaws

(I actually try to keep chainsaws away from that area . . . )

Philbert

 

[Wilhelm]

(I actually try to keep chainsaws away from that area . . . )

Philbert

How TF do You start them then?!

 

[Wilhelm]

 

[Skiptooth Fred]

What in the fking world would possess somebody to try and duplicate the factory grind of C83 chain with hand files?

Or even with a grinder?

Who has time for this sht?

Understand

 

[Skiptooth Fred]

Tr

Nope, a keyboard and internet connection are all that is required in the modern world.

True for manybut its better being outa service more times than not

I want to add some context to my previous posts on the last page: X-cut is fast chain out of the box, there’s no arguing that.

What I meant was, for me in my position, it’s not practical to replicate the factory grind while I’m logging. It’s also not practical to swap a chain every time one gets dull. A round file is your friend in my situation, and can get me back up and cutting very quickly.

That being said, I don’t think most chainsaw users round file correctly, which gives them a bad taste for filing by hand, or the chains that have been round filed. So I understand why some guys opt to swap chains often, or take them home to sharpen them differently. Which also ties into, how many chains I need to fix for others that bring me chains that someone else absolutely butchered on a grinder. A lot of folks with a chainsaw grinder don’t know how to properly use them as well. Angles and depth are everything on a chainsaw chain tooth. File or grinder, you can improperly sharpen a chain in a hurry with either. On the contrary, a properly round filed chain is fast, efficient, and easy to maintain.

If guys who play with saws and cut some firewood want to take the time to replicate the factory grind of X-cut, go for it.

I feel the same in all respects, especially getting back on the job quick and easy. One thing i may say in my circumstances regarding xcut is, it’s expensive chain where i live to purchase and therefore one really only appreciates that factory grind until the file is pulled out, i don’t find it any different then to the oregon or carlton, but then this i run are full slip full chisel… So I’ll admit i have mucked around with the xcut square filled pretty close to factory for no other reason then an interest in the original cost to keep that similar grind, but, back in the bush if I’m running it and it needs a sharpen… here comes the round file! but do i reopen the work can and say it is the smoothest chain out of the box

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I want to add some context to my previous posts on the last page: X-cut is fast chain out of the box, there’s no arguing that.

What I meant was, for me in my position, it’s not practical to replicate the factory grind while I’m logging. It’s also not practical to swap a chain every time one gets dull. A round file is your friend in my situation, and can get me back up and cutting very quickly.

That being said, I don’t think most chainsaw users round file correctly, which gives them a bad taste for filing by hand, or the chains that have been round filed. So I understand why some guys opt to swap chains often, or take them home to sharpen them differently. Which also ties into, how many chains I need to fix for others that bring me chains that someone else absolutely butchered on a grinder. A lot of folks with a chainsaw grinder don’t know how to properly use them as well. Angles and depth are everything on a chainsaw chain tooth. File or grinder, you can improperly sharpen a chain in a hurry with either. On the contrary, a properly round filed chain is fast, efficient, and easy to maintain.

If guys who play with saws and cut some firewood want to take the time to replicate the factory grind of X-cut, go for it.

I completely agree, if I could just get people at work to sharpen the chain it would be a miracle! Let alone touch it up between breakfast and dinner.
I mostly use a straight round hand file at work on the work site with maybe time for a stump vise or random picnic table .
There's something to be said for a super sharp fast chain though. Once guys/girls get a taste of what cutting with a truly sharp chain is like it'll ruin you, which is why I think people chase that X-cut file technique. They use a new husqvarna chain and are blown away with how nice it is and then want more.

 

[Loony661]

I completely agree, if I could just get people at work to sharpen the chain it would be a miracle! Let alone touch it up between breakfast and dinner.
I mostly use a straight round hand file at work on the work site with maybe time for a stump vise or random picnic table .
There's something to be said for a super sharp fast chain though. Once guys/girls get a taste of what cutting with a truly sharp chain is like it'll ruin you, which is why I think people chase that X-cut file technique. They use a new husqvarna chain and are blown away with how nice it is and then want more.

I totally get it. That “Wow!” factor is big, when they realize they don’t have to push on the saw for it to cut. Just today I was one handing my 462 in the cut (to briefly brush away chips) and my saw just continued to pull itself through the wood while staying in the working load rpm. If the chain won’t pull itself through, it needs attention. I’ll get off my soap box now.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Taking a break from exl. Now essentially doubling the acreage I'm cutting, in a negotiated timber sale, time is everything. So is consumables! The c83 sharpens like lightening and a 100 ft roll is no more expensive thn exl.

Yep, the factory grind means nothing to me. Instead of a dozen files per 4 months, bet c83 will halve that. Gawd it's good chain!

 

[Philbert]

Yep, the factory grind means nothing to me. Instead of a dozen files per 4 months, bet c83 will halve that. Gawd it's good chain!

Is it the steel?
The geometry/ shape of the cutter (aside from the factory grind)?

Thanks.

Philbert

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Philbert, definitely the steel. Far more consistent than exl. Some cutters and rakers in exl are so harsh, they dull yer files within 2-3 sharpenings.

 

[Squareground3691]

Philbert, definitely the steel. Far more consistent than exl. Some cutters and rakers in exl are so harsh, they dull yer files within 2-3 sharpenings.

Husqvarna did I right, when they decided to make their own chain in Sweden for the C83 and other,

 

[Squish9]

Philbert, definitely the steel. Far more consistent than exl. Some cutters and rakers in exl are so harsh, they dull yer files within 2-3 sharpenings.

Completely agree. Every loop of EXL I have used has had a few teeth that just destroy the file because they are stupid hard compared to the rest.

C83/85 factory shape sucks for the hardwood I cut but is a very good chain to use after that intal sharpening. Doesn't stretch as much, much nicer to sharpen and holds an edge well

 

[jakethesnake]

Taking a break from exl. Now essentially doubling the acreage I'm cutting, in a negotiated timber sale, time is everything. So is consumables! The c83 sharpens like lightening and a 100 ft roll is no more expensive thn exl.

Yep, the factory grind means nothing to me. Instead of a dozen files per 4 months, bet c83 will halve that. Gawd it's good chain!

That’s what I loved about lgx. Filings would roll off that stuff even if you had a slightly dinged tooth several strokes it was back in business and held up pretty good for me