Stihl Hexa Chain/File

[TheDarkLordChinChin]

Just got this today, hopefully try it out tomorrow. Anyone use these or know anything about them?

 

[FederalQ]

I have it on an MS361 with 20” bar. I find it can be “nose happy” as far as kickback is concerned. That may not be an issue with a higher horsepower saw. I have not yet needed to sharpen it.

 

[alfack]

I have it on an MS500i / 32" bar. I dropped and bucked a few 3' diameter pines with it. It seemed to do pretty well. Tried the file afterwards. Not sure I like the filing system.

 

[TheDarkLordChinChin]

I have it on an MS500i / 32" bar. I dropped and bucked a few 3' diameter pines with it. It seemed to do pretty well. Tried the file afterwards. Not sure I like the filing system.

What is the filing system? File the opposite way to normal? I know that's how you do it with one of those vallorbe double bevel files.

 

[davidwyby]

I think you file inside out. Outside in might wear the expensive file prematurely

 

[TheDarkLordChinChin]

Yeah so I tried it for a few tanks before I threw my chain and destroyed the drive links.
It cuts fast enough but is grabby and aggressive.
It doesn't peel out long chips, it makes thick, hard pieces of dust. At least in ash it did. I think this is due to the angled profile of the side plate, as in the sharp "hexa" angle breaks the chips before they peel out fully. At least that was my takeaway from using it.
I sharpened it once and used it again and it cut just fine. Again, in ash.
I have not tried it in anything different yet or filed the rakers at all.

 

[davidwyby]

I think it’s a bit more durable cuz the very edge is supported a little more. I have one little 20” loop I need to try more.

 

[kurtz]

I bought a 72dl hexa chain a while back out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised at how it cut. It bore cuts really nice and seems to be real durable.

I was actually expecting it to not live up to the hype. It looked like a gimmick to me. I would put it ahead of stihl RS round chain but I still prefer to run my square ground chains.

 

[FederalQ]

I installed the Hexa 72dl loop I have on the Dolmar 6000i I recently purchased and it performed well in hard maple this evening without any of the imminent kickback feeling. I have sharpened the chain since last fall. I can‘t believe this saw is only 60cc. It just digs in and pulls like a freight train and handles well considering how heavy it is.

 

[FederalQ]

Not too terribly pricey, so I purchased two. I have been experimenting recreating the hook on C83 chain with this file and so far it‘s been working great. A 5/32“ round file first and then using the Hexa file to do the hook for a partial Hexa I guess.

 

[davidwyby]

Not too terribly pricey, so I purchased two. I have been experimenting recreating the hook on C83 chain with this file and so far it‘s been working great. A 5/32“ round file first and then using the Hexa file to do the hook for a partial Hexa I guess.View attachment 436788

IIRC the c83 is a faster more delicate angle and the hexa more supported and durable?

 

[HumBurner]

Yeah so I tried it for a few tanks before I threw my chain and destroyed the drive links.
It cuts fast enough but is grabby and aggressive.
It doesn't peel out long chips, it makes thick, hard pieces of dust. At least in ash it did. I think this is due to the angled profile of the side plate, as in the sharp "hexa" angle breaks the chips before they peel out fully. At least that was my takeaway from using it.
I sharpened it once and used it again and it cut just fine. Again, in ash.
I have not tried it in anything different yet or filed the rakers at all.

Bad enough you couldn't file the tangs and throw it back on????

 

[Squish9]

I have now worn out 2 of the Hexa files. They appear to fail in the same way as double bevel files, the point where the sides meet goes dull and they become impossible to use.

I was able to file through 2 chains per file so if you can get the Hexa in a kit, it's ok value. The kit with 2 chains and a file is sold here for the same price as 2 RS loops.

 

[Squareground3691]

I have now worn out 2 of the Hexa files. They appear to fail in the same way as double bevel files, the point where the sides meet goes dull and they become impossible to use.

I was able to file through 2 chains per file so if you can get the Hexa in a kit, it's ok value. The kit with 2 chains and a file is sold here for the same price as 2 RS loops.

What brand of DB file you use, Vallorbe is my choice, and seems to last quite well,

 

[davidwyby]

I bet there are off the shelf files that could replicate hexa.

 

[HumBurner]

I bet there are off the shelf files that could replicate hexa.

You think a triangle file could replicate half the hexa profile? Be interesting to see how a smoothly transitioned half round/half hexa tooth would cut.

 

[Squish9]

What brand of DB file you use, Vallorbe is my choice, and seems to last quite well,

I like the cut feel of the Pferd's and that I got a box of them cheap off Amazon. Both them and the Vallorbe's are really good. File life with them improved a lot when I swapped to filing inside out.

You think a triangle file could replicate half the hexa profile? Be interesting to see how a smoothly transitioned half round/half hexa tooth would cut.

I'm not really into this idea. If you are willing to pay the price for a 3 square file and are willing to use it, then there is a much better, more efficient, profile you can create with it.

Long story short - if you have a square file, square file it.

Hexas big advantage is that it's extremely easy to sharpen because you don't have to control the file height. Other than that it's cuts and holds its edge the same as a regular round filed full chisel sharpened at 25/60/60

 

[HumBurner]

I like the cut feel of the Pferd's and that I got a box of them cheap off Amazon. Both them and the Vallorbe's are really good. File life with them improved a lot when I swapped to filing inside out.

I'm not really into this idea. If you are willing to pay the price for a 3 square file and are willing to use it, then there is a much better, more efficient, profile you can create with it.

Long story short - if you have a square file, square file it.

Hexas big advantage is that it's extremely easy to sharpen because you don't have to control the file height. Other than that it's cuts and holds its edge the same as a regular round filed full chisel sharpened at 25/60/60

I hear ya

 

[davidwyby]

I agree, forgot the attempted dummy proofing of the hexa file. I do feel it’s a smidge more durable but I have only tested one loop a little.

 

[Squish9]

I agree, forgot the attempted dummy proofing of the hexa file. I do feel it’s a smidge more durable but I have only tested one loop a little.

Durability testing is just about impossible so all we can really give is our opinion on this stuff. It could be better, I just don't know.

All I do know is having gotten a few people who don't know how to sharpen to file it, it's much easier for them than controlling a round file. That's is real selling point and it's best design feature. I would like to see them continue the idea into a 3/8LP and 325 chain because it would really benefit occasional users with small saws