How to square file

[Wolverine]

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?

Nope. That's the way I used to do it. Get it tight, lock the chain brake.

 

[MustangMike]

When I lock them with the paint stirrer they don't move, and it goes much faster than the other methods, so that is why I do it that way.

 

[RI Chevy]

Gotta do whatever works for you...

 

[ZERO]

My second attempt, self feeds way better than the first one I did. Could drop the rakers a bit though.

This is my baseline, ported 60cc for torque, 7pin 56Dls, I don't like long bars for fun cutting.

Just wondering how low the rakers can go on this setup. I have read what @Wolverine said about easing into the rakers after making few cuts to not make them too aggressive. Should I not bother with my flat Oregon static rakers, the 20 thousands, or can I use them as a guide to see how close to the 20 thousands mark I am getting where I am happy with how the chain feeds?

 

[ZukiRyder400]

This is my baseline, ported 60cc for torque, 7pin 56Dls, I don't like long bars for fun cutting.

Just wondering how low the rakers can go on this setup. I have read what @Wolverine said about easing into the rakers after making few cuts to not make them too aggressive. Should I not bother with my flat Oregon static rakers, the 20 thousands, or can I use them as a guide to see how close to the 20 thousands mark I am getting where I am happy with how the chain feeds?

I really dont know/remember where I set the rakers on that chain. I just start at a normal “hardwood” raker height on the depth gauge tool thingy. Then, if I feel the saw can take more bite, I take one smooth full pass off the rakers and test again. Sorry I couldnt help ya more mang. I need to start writing stuffs down... lol

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Where to buy goofy files?

 

[Wolverine]

This is my baseline, ported 60cc for torque, 7pin 56Dls, I don't like long bars for fun cutting.

Just wondering how low the rakers can go on this setup. I have read what @Wolverine said about easing into the rakers after making few cuts to not make them too aggressive. Should I not bother with my flat Oregon static rakers, the 20 thousands, or can I use them as a guide to see how close to the 20 thousands mark I am getting where I am happy with how the chain feeds?

Use a progressive gauge/guide. The one Husky sells has hard and soft settings. If the hardwood side isn’t aggressive enough, switch over to the soft. It works great for me.

 

[Time's Standing Stihl]

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.

Any pics of the square chain after you are done filing??

 

[MustangMike]

No, but it cuts well.

 

[Time's Standing Stihl]

No, but it cuts well.

Well let’s see a tooth then

 

[1Snowcat]

Where do you guys get your files?

 

[PA Dan]

Im going to order some at my Stihl dealer to try out the ones they are selling now. Bad part is I have to buy a dozen at a time. Good part is I get a decent discount.

 

[3browns]

Where do you guys get your files?

One option is Bahco files from here

https://aboloxtools.com/Bahco-4-150-07-3-0

The last time I bought them they were sold per each but I am only seeing the 10 pack now

 

[Wolverine]

One option is Bahco files from here

https://aboloxtools.com/Bahco-4-150-07-3-0

The last time I bought them they were sold per each but I am only seeing the 10 pack now

I’ve bought from there. I liked Bahco (till I used Vallorbe) but recent reports on FHC are that they may not be the same quality they were. Couple guys getting lots of chipping.

 

[MustangMike]

I use PFRED from Bailey's Chainsaw. Buy them by the dozen just to get them a little cheaper.

They work and hold up well for me, but I'm not going to say there are not less expensive alternatives.

 

[3browns]

I’ve bought from there. I liked Bahco (till I used Vallorbe) but recent reports on FHC are that they may not be the same quality they were. Couple guys getting lots of chipping.

I just went back and looked at my purchase history and I bought mine in January 2020

I just bought 4 to play with but never got around to a setup here in Hawaii that was sturdy enough to try square filing

*f-wording Covid killed my workbench and new vise plans

I took one back to Alaska when we went in late June and played with it on 1 older chain

It was my first time trying square and I didn't post any pics so you can imagine what it looked like

I thought the files cut well and I don't remember any issues with chipping

Compared to some Save Edge raker files I bought at roughly the same time they cut 100% better

This seems to be a common outcome with files anymore; "identical" files that are 180 degrees different in cut and quality

I think a lot is down to companies that contract out their file production and get a batch here and a batch there...

Some good, some bad

You gotta think Bahco is making their own files but in today's global economy who the *f-word knows...

 

[Leeroy]

Where to buy goofy files?

While I never cared for goofy files, I had a look this morning.
The usual suspects no longer list them, and I struck out looking at many sources.
Are they your preference?

 

[MustangMike]

To be honest, I never understood why anyone would want one!

They were like 1/2 round file and 1/2 square file ... just make up your mind!

 

[ZERO]

Nope. That's the way I used to do it. Get it tight, lock the chain brake.

Great tip, I would have forgotten about the brake!

 

[MustangMike]

I used to do that, but found putting the chain brake on and off numerous times for each chain to be a PITA!

Plus, it did not stop a little side to side wobble. My paint stirrer works better for me.