How to square file

[Duane(Pa)]

Square can be surprisingly durable. I was at a milling GTG, and square chains were in use for hours on end in some fairly hard wood. They were not abused in any way (lots of wedges to avoid pinching etc.) I think everyone there realized that they held up as well as any round chain would have, in the same application.

 

[Wolverine]

This^^. That dual ported 661 elm job @ Wadknee's. That chain was still sharp to the touch after much run time. It was honestly baffling.

 

[ZukiRyder440]

I have found that out too Duane.

 

[ZukiRyder440]

chips my square chains are throwing

 

[ZukiRyder440]

 

[PA Dan]

View attachment 314850

Damn boy not much left there.

 

[ZukiRyder440]

Damn boy not much left there.

Yeah I know... lol! Gonna get a new chain for that one soon.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

That, there is what them, there Pa. hill billies call tri angle filed schane

 

[LoneOak]

Green Ash

 

[MustangMike]

OK, so I didn't have anyone available to take a pic for me, but this is how I use the paint stirrer to keep the tooth still when filing.

The bar is in a stump vice on top of my wooded chainsaw box. I hold the paint stirrer against the tooth with one hand, and file with the other hand.

 

[RI Chevy]

Paint stirrers are for painters silly...

 

[Catman]

Paint stirrers are for painters silly...

Ha Ha, GOOD ONE!!

 

[MustangMike]

Hey, it is cheap, available, and it works! Much better than taking the chain off the bar each time you sharpen it!

 

[Federico]

OK, so I didn't have anyone available to take a pic for me, but this is how I use the paint stirrer to keep the tooth still when filing.

The bar is in a stump vice on top of my wooded chainsaw box. I hold the paint stirrer against the tooth with one hand, and file with the other hand.

Foto morsa grazie

 

[mettee]

Hey, it is cheap, available, and it works! Much better than taking the chain off the bar each time you sharpen it!

So you apply pressure to the tooth on the file stroke?

When I do it on the bar I tighten it pretty tight, then I press my thumb against the cutter...beats my hands up though.

 

[MustangMike]

Yea, I used to do that, if you look at the wear on the paint stirrer, you can see how much I've saved my thumbs!

The paint stirrer is on the box, on the bar, and on the back of the tooth, and the tooth does not move when I file stroke it.

Works well for me, and much faster than removing the chain.

 

[RI Chevy]

Might be faster for touchups Mike, but nothing like using a chain vise to lock the cutter in place and get a precisely filed angle. Takes about 30 to 45 seconds to remove bar and chain from a Stihl.
Just me.

 

[MustangMike]

Jeff, I'll bet I will do 3 saws before you are done with one.

 

[RI Chevy]

You very well could. BUT...

 

[ZERO]

On the topic of sharpening on the saw, is there any downside to pulling the bottom chain from the rails and jamming a wedge between the chain and bar to get the chain super tight for square sharpening?