Stihl Hexa file and sawchain

[CR888]

Be interesting too to see how that side profile changes as the cutter gets smaller in size.

 

[AlfA01]

I bet the first Hexa files heading from Europe to the US will come from Greece!

Dan is the man for sourcing newest Stihl products, @AlfA01

Im gonna check into these today, Wilhelm.

 

[roger collins]

Im gonna check into these today, Wilhelm.

i would be in line to try these if they are available

 

[davidwyby]

@sawmikaze Insta

just gotta “control your feed”

 

[davidwyby]

I like the “slanted to wood fiber” thing for felling/notching/limbing

 

[cuinrearview]

I like the “slanted to wood fiber” thing.

I was partial to "humpster drifting link".

 

[BlacknTan]

I came very close to buying a Stihl USG a couple of years ago, but my round hand filed chains always cut well and pleased me well enough, so I never did. I love the way the X chain cuts, and with the USG, I could duplicate the profile. I still like filing... but, we'll see.

 

[MustangMike]

I wonder if you can convert RS chain to this style like you can with square file.

Does not seem to me that the outside cutter will be as sharp as real square file, but it may hold up longer.

This is interesting, but not sold yet! I can hand file square just as fast as I can hand file round.

 

[RI Chevy]

I'd be game for some of these files too Dan.

 

[Hedgerow]

Key thing to me was the idea that chains would be shipped with 'improved out-of-box' (OOB) performance that users could not restore. Made no sense to me, unless you throw away your chains after the first use (some do!). I have not used these chains, but assumed that we could match the factory profile with a couple of passes.

This file seems to bridge some of the gap between round filed and square filed chain, which should appeal to some, and the files appear more intuitive to use than some of the square filed files. Looks like a profile that could also be duplicated with a conventional grinder too?

Philbert

The C83 is good stuff.

 

[Philbert]

with the USG, I could duplicate the profile

Assume you could with most of the Oregon style grinders too, by profiling the wheel (not CBN). Need different R and L wheels? Question remains whether you want to? Worth the effort?

I wonder if you can convert RS chain to this style like you can with square file.

Why not? All are full chisel cutters. Even if some of the angles are off by a few degrees, you should see similar performance.

I would like to see a controlled laboratory test comparing these hex file chains, with square filed chains, and round ground chains. Might benefit more in certain types of wood or certain types of cutting. Would be helpful in making some decisions.

Philbert

 

[BlacknTan]

Assume you could with most of the Oregon style grinders too, by profiling the wheel (not CBN). Need different R and L wheels? Question remains whether you want to? Worth the effort?

Philbert

Indeed! That is the question...

 

[CR888]

Yeah squaring up the end of a wheel would get you very close, perhaps not completely 90° square. I usually try to avoid a side plate that looks like what the hex file achieves. I think the whole idea was born out of 'ease of use' making hand filing simpler for the consumer. I mean for every pro saw sold to a competent user 10+ consumer saws would be sold to homeowners. They gotta sharpen too!

 

[Hedgerow]

A square wheel will work if ya don’t go too deep.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I'm fair to good at round filing ... but I have to put a flashlight on my ball cap and don the 3x readers if I attempt to square file! Honestly I barely look at the chain when round filing.
I will DEFINITELY purchase one of the hex files when they come available. I just wonder if they'll be in different sizes?

 

[MustangMike]

When you get used to square, you almost feel when it fits the tooth. I just make sure the corner of the file is lined up with the corner of the tooth and try to stroke as straight as I can.

 

[species8472]

My opinion. Don't matter what the cutter looks like . It's only the top 25thou to 30thou that cuts. The rest is there to hold the top up.

 

[Willard]

Another report, translation hit and miss English wise.

 

[species8472]

New chain vs chain I've been doing for years. Mine cuts our wood over here well.

 

[Wonkydonkey]

Im gonna check into these today, Wilhelm.

I'd be surprised if you can get your hands on them just yet Dan..

It seems like stihl's prerelease thing. But what I’m wondering is if they have a new chain coming, and there’s a supply chain issue. Like most things atm