How far is it safe to sharpen

[jakethesnake]

Pretty basic question how much tooth being left is safe should this one get tossed?

 

[Redfin]

I sharpen till they start to break off. Then its a stumping chain.

 

[jakethesnake]

None have broken off yet only round a 50 cc saw it's on I didn't know if it could be dangerous really or not was sorta wondering where one may go if it did break??

 

[Hedgerow]

None have broken off yet only round a 50 cc saw it's on I didn't know if it could be dangerous really or not was sorta wondering where one may go if it did break??

The last chain I pitched, had over half the cutters broken off...
It just finally quit cutting.

Get all the good you can out of em.

 

[jed1124]

Like the other guys said run them till they break. I think a chain actually cuts better when the cutters are on there last couple of sharpenings.

 

[jakethesnake]

I think they cut better as well maybe the teeth clear better when there isn't much left of them

 

[junkman]

i turn them into stump /dirt chains when about 1/4 inch left

 

[Gunn]

They aren't really dangerous, the worst that happens is the tooth gets too small and just breaks off.

 

[huskihl]

From what I've seen, like others have said, the more worn out the better they cut

 

[Hedgerow]

The farther back a tooth gets, the narrower the kerf it takes..
Just an FYI...

 

[Philbert]

Turn it around and sharpen the depth gauges.

Then flip it over and do the drive links.

After that, sell it to someone to use a drive chain for a Lewis Winch . . . .

Philbert

 

[so il logger]

When a chain get's filed half way back to the etched filing guide's it wont cut fast or hold an edge for me. Must just be me, my dad say's that a chain cut's best when it's almost junk

 

[Philbert]

When a chain get's filed half way back to the etched filing guide's it wont cut fast or hold an edge for me. Must just be me, my dad say's that a chain cut's best when it's almost junk

A lot of guys like the chains better when filed/ground back that far, due to increased chip clearance, and (for real) the racers like the lighter weight chains.

Usually when a chain like that does not cut well, it is due to the depth gauges needing to be maintained/lowered, since the cutter is lowered as it is filed/ground back. Lots of ideas about this, but the simplest way is to use one of the depth gauge adjusting gauges.

Philbert

 

[Hedgerow]

And to keep the angle of engagement similar to new, you gotta sometimes run as low as .045 instead of .025 once that tooth is way back.

 

[Redfin]

When a chain get's filed half way back to the etched filing guide's it wont cut fast or hold an edge for me. Must just be me, my dad say's that a chain cut's best when it's almost junk

Are you cleaning out the gullet to get the file down where it needs to be?

 

[jakethesnake]

The oregon with the bumper links the bumper itself also has to come down some when they get that low

 

[so il logger]

Are you cleaning out the gullet to get the file down where it needs to be?

Yes, and i file raker's to be pretty aggressive. Not that the chain isn't cutting good enough for most guy's when it get's filed back that far, i'm probably more picky about how it is cutting than most. One thing i have noticed with LGX chain is that once filed halfway back to the guide it won't hold an edge near as long. I prefer using RS but the price difference sucks

 

[shorthunter]

Yes, and i file raker's to be pretty aggressive. Not that the chain isn't cutting good enough for most guy's when it get's filed back that far, i'm probably more picky about how it is cutting than most. One thing i have noticed with LGX chain is that once filed halfway back to the guide it won't hold an edge near as long. I prefer using RS but the price difference sucks

Are you going down at least one file size? I have used 3/16 file(instead of 7/32) on some wore out 3/8 chain just to get the hook that I was looking for

 

[so il logger]

Are you going down at least one file size? I have used 3/16 file(instead of 7/32) on some wore out 3/8 chain just to get the hook that I was looking for

No just 7/32, push down on the file to open gullet. Once opened file as normal

 

[Hinerman]

And to keep the angle of engagement similar to new, you gotta sometimes run as low as .045 instead of .025 once that tooth is way back.

View attachment 11605

WOW, those rakers are short. Looks like I need to get the file out for some of my rakers with short cutters...