Sharpening Chain.

[Philbert]

These were made by A.S. member MarkEagleUSA:




Philbert

 

[Terry Syd]

A 'progressive' raker plate is your friend. Easy and reliable, sets the cutting angle and the top of the raker can be sloped to allow for different wood softness. A steeper angle will increase the cutting angle when used in softwood.

 

[Deets066]

These were made by A.S. member MarkEagleUSA:

View attachment 205434
View attachment 205435

Philbert

I remember him. You think any are available?

 

[RI Chevy]

Looks like a cool tool.

 

[rumatt]

Looks like a cool tool.

I dunno. I'll take a simple Husqvarna progressive gauge over that.

The Husqvarna gauge:

1. Sets the raker height specifically for each individual cutter, rather than 2-3 surrounding cutters. This produces proper raker height even when cutter lengths vary wildly, eliminating the need to worry about the cutters being the same length.

2. It's progressive so the raker height changes as the cutter shortens

3. It's super quick and easy to use

4. It produces reliably consistent heights

5. It puts a nice angle on the raker, rather than filling them flat

6. It gives you separate settings for hard and soft wood

7. They're cheap and light / portable

I don't understand why everyone doesn't use these... Or why stihl still sells their flat style gauge which completely fails at 1, 2, 5 & 6.

 

[Philbert]

I remember him. You think any are available?

It was a home made tool. The digital tire gauges are all over eBay. Mark just cut and attached a small piece of angled aluminum to it. I remember discussing how long it had to be to span 3/8 pitch skip chain at a 'maximum length', versus full comp chain for 'everyday use'.

I dunno. I'll take a simple Husqvarna progressive gauge over that. . . . I don't understand why everyone doesn't use these...

Doe not have to be an 'either/or' choice.

The angular gauges still set the depth gauge at a set, pre-determined height (or relationship). This is good for consistency, but might not be the optimum setting for every situation.

The digital gauge (like above) lets you measure the actual offset. Some places where that might come in handy:
- measuring the offset, after experimenting in the field with a file until a chain cuts like you want it to;
- copying a chain that someone else filed or ground for comparison;
- showing someone how much the depth gauges on one of their loops vary;
- etc.

As one of the linked threads show - no reason to just have one type or style gauge!

Philbert

 

[Deets066]

I use a raker gauge for my work chains and will continue to do so.
I’m just looking for a good way to set rakers within .002 or so on small cube race chains.

 

[rumatt]

I use a raker gauge for my work chains

Which one?

 

[Deets066]

Which one?

I use the Stihl raker gauge on longer bars, it seems more conservative.

Carlton file-o-plate on midsize and smaller

 

[jetsam]

I have the Husky FoP style gauges, but I almost always use a digital angle finder instead now.

I don't normally adjust rakers in the woods anyway... bring a spare chain and a round file.

If I DID need to adjust rakers in the field for some reason, a FoP would be my first choice, but on the bench I like to be able to pick my angles.