How to square file

[concretegrazer]

I really want to upgrade my grandberg like this guy did. I wonder if a PDF of those is available

http://www.treefalling.com/chain_sharpening.pdf

 

[junkman]

great pdf file on sharpening

 

[quietfly]

http://www.treefalling.com/chain_sharpening.pdf

thanks for the link!!!!

 

[Danders]

I ran the square chain as it was, and compared it to a round filed woodlands 30RD. Virtually a dead tie. At least I didn't make slower. Think I'll try free hand with a double bevel. Videos here: http://opeforum.com/threads/saw-video-thread.196/page-45#post-122467

 

[Danders]

I tried touching up my square chain with a double bevel file. It felt like the corner was pretty easy to keep but looking at the chain after filing I can see I am not very consistent on the cutters. When I had done both sides, I noticed the top plate angle on the teeth staggered around like a drunken sailor so I went back over it again and got them shored up a bit. Man it's tough to keep all the angles in line at the same time.

The chain isn't pretty but the sides are more consistent than what they were before. I should be able to try it out on Saturday.

 

[MustangMike]

When you get used to it, it will go much faster, almost by instinct. The file will pop into the pocket of the chain like a glove, and you will just know it is right. Then, just keep the stroke straight and a little pressure toward the corner. I also have 45 degree lines on the wooden box that I file on to help keep everything properly lined up. Otherwise, I find myself migrating the angle closer to the old 30 degree used for round file.

 

[Time's Standing Stihl]

Looks like your right hand cutters need more attention than your left. Left is pretty close, Right is too low.

 

[junkman]

I tried touching up my square chain with a double bevel file. It felt like the corner was pretty easy to keep but looking at the chain after filing I can see I am not very consistent on the cutters. When I had done both sides, I noticed the top plate angle on the teeth staggered around like a drunken sailor so I went back over it again and got them shored up a bit. Man it's tough to keep all the angles in line at the same time.

The chain isn't pretty but the sides are more consistent than what they were before. I should be able to try it out on Saturday.
View attachment 23776 View attachment 23777

Are you counting your swipes as you go ,1-2-3 ,1-2-3- keep them all the same ? That will help keep the teeth close to the same size .

 

[Danders]

Are you counting your swipes as you go ,1-2-3 ,1-2-3- keep them all the same ? That will help keep the teeth close to the same size .

I wasn't, and when I went back to correct this problem I know I hit teeth with different number of strokes. I get the value of keeping the teeth the same length but I'm still struggling to keep all the angles right.

 

[Danders]

Looks like your right hand cutters need more attention than your left. Left is pretty close, Right is too low.

I found it easier to work one side from behind, with the cutting part of the tooth away from me. The cutters where I was off more often were the ones that were filed with the tooth facing me. To do those from behind required me to file left handed, which I briefly tried, but I seemed to lose a lot of control.

 

[junkman]

It comes in time ,use light strokes also and the file will cut better and last longer ,do not push hard on the files .

 

[Moparmyway]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What he said

 

[mdavlee]

I do both from the front of the chain. I can do it from the side if I have to or if it's mounted on a mill.

 

[huskihl]

I have to do left cutters 2 handed and right cutters one handed. My left hand sucks. But my chains cut ok

 

[mdavlee]

I filed a whole chain left handed last week. Turned out pretty good. I've been working at it for years to get my left hand equal. Still can't round file left handed.

 

[Moparmyway]

Still can't round file left handed.

Round file ?
WTF is round file !

 

[mdavlee]

Round file ?
WTF is round file !

Gullets

 

[Deets066]

Gullets

7/32?

 

[mdavlee]

7/32?

3/16" or 7/32"

 

[Danders]

There's been a lot of good advice in this thread, I think some of it may be slowly sinking in. I really appreciate all the help.

I was having a couple of problems with the right hand cutters and I think I may have helped things a bit. I just couldn't see the corners well and I was having to hold the file at some goofy angles because of how high the bar was. I got a step stool, a small light and my highest power readers (don't laugh, you'll get there someday too) and that made things a bunch easier. I'd get the file positioned on a tooth and was able to concentrate on keeping the edge of the file and the corner of the tooth lined up while trying to make a straight push through with the file. I'm probably still pushing too hard on the file but I think I'm much more consistent now from tooth to tooth.

The chain I had been working on cuts as well as the fastest round chain I tried, and I had planned on leaving it as is until I could do some real woodcutting. I converted a half wore out chain to try on a bigger saw. If this works well I'll try touching up the first chain.

Here's a left and a right; one is the first of the right hand teeth and the other is the last of the left hand teeth. No significance, just where I happened to grab the chain.