STIHL Progressive Depth Gauge Tools

[Canadian farm boy]

Stumbled across this the other day. Stihl FG4.

 

[AlfA01]

Stumbled across this the other day. Stihl FG4.

Nice find, Mike. I just grabbed the 2019 catalog and they are in it. Around 40 Eu each. Looks like they are different for each chain size.

There are two different codes for 3/8p. Both use a 4/0mm file. .325 - 4.8mm file and 3/8 - 5.2mm file.

 

[Wonkydonkey]

Seem to be a bit cheaper here, although the price needs 20% vat added on. And it’s a Black Friday sale today

 

[Rob Stafari]

That FG4 is available here stateside. I was going to get one as it has the built in progressive raker gauge, but the local Stihlership only had .325 and I don't run any of those chains. just 3/8, 3/8p, and 3/8 .043(the oddball makita 18v top handle which I should order the part to run .325 from japan to increase my chain options.) right now.

 

[Philbert]

View attachment 210135

As @Rob Stafari noted, the FG4 has been available here for a few years. Seemed to be a response to the Husqvarna roller guides? As a chain geek, I have been somewhat interested in them, but seem to have a lot of moving parts. The swing out depth gauge tool is actually the part I was looking for, in response to another thread, when Google serendipitously led me to the depth gauge tools that are the subject of this thread!

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/filing-tools/fg4rollerguide/

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Philbert joins the club!!!

I may have instigated some of the interest in these tools, and in this thread,but did not have any until a few moments ago. 'Thank You!' to @AlfA01 for taking the trouble to send them to me.

Problem is that they are so pretty, I want another set to actually use!



BTW: Here is a link to a thread on A.S. that I started just on depth gauge tools:
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/depth-gauge-tools-for-saw-chain.279374/

Philbert

 

[Wonkydonkey]

Since sending my set off in the thanksgiving thread.to @Cat 525 I had seen rob stafari post, so my fingers went a walking while ordering the replacements for the others I sent off..

And so I’ve got a 3/8 lopro and a 3/8 std coming..(I skipped the .335 as I don’t use it as much as the other 2) . I will see how they work and look at the free cd of tips on how to use them..

I'm not sure I will use them in the field/woods as much as I would like to, because they look slow fitting and changing... I guess I will find out, and some practice always helps in the workshop/shed first.

 

[sundance]

We made it to several folks having these gages. I don't think I've actually seen a report on the results with them. Sound interesting, are they actually worth the trouble they seem to be to get in the US?

 

[chipper1]

We made it to several folks having these gages. I don't think I've actually seen a report on the results with them. Sound interesting, are they actually worth the trouble they seem to be to get in the US?

I used the 325 tonight and last week, and used the standard 3/8 a couple days ago and I have been pleased with them so far.

 

[cease232]

Just got mine in the mail from Dan. Haven’t had a chance to play with them yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Wonkydonkey]

I used mine today, well I thought I’d check it out on the brandynew 20” shihl chain I got from dan in the thanks giving thread.
I have a few pics and remember this Chain came out a box,
The first pic, is the untouched raker, they all look like this to begin with, I saw no point in taking loads of before and chose one for the before.

These next few pics are the after, and before I post these pics, I will say every raker I took some off, 2 or 3 strokes some only 1 stroke.

 

[Wonkydonkey]

And some more pics,,
I hope to run this chain with the new bar tomorrow

 

[Marshy]

Eventually I'm going to need one of these. The one I have is Husqvarna and has the roller guide on it. I dont use the roller guide, just the raker gauge and the problem with that one is it's difficult to hold. I dont like the ergonomics there are none but, it's the only raker gauge I have... anyone selling these in the US?

 

[Philbert]

The one I have is Husqvarna and has the roller guide on it. I dont use the roller guide, ... anyone selling these in the US?

You can buy the depth gauge part only from Husqvarna in the US. See the attached screen shots.

Husqvarna FaceBook post says that the .325 pitch one works for both NarrowKerf and standard .325 chain. A dealer might have to order these for you: MSRP is $6.99, but on-line pricing is much more for these at a lot of places for some reason (?).


Not saying that the setings of the STIHL and Husqvarna tools are exactly the same, but if you like the one on the roller gauge, these should be comparable. And available on this side of the pond. Otherwise, a few of the European members have graciously been willing to forward the STIHL models to us forsaken Yanks - check out some of the earlier posts for info.

Philbert

 

[ferris]

@AlfA01 do u have some left?

 

[Wonkydonkey]

@AlfA01 do u have some left?

Don’t they sell them in Germany? I thought it was a USA thing..and not being able to get them

 

[ferris]

I would buy some from dan if he still has some. if not I can also order from my dealer

 

[Wilhelm]

I am not trying to step into someone's sales market here, but I have a couple gauges I won't be needing.

If anyone is looking to get any individual gauges, I have these at hand, new and unopened:
- 3x = FL2 3/8"Picco
- 1x = FL4 3/8"
- 1x = FL5 .404"

4$ each + 6.5$ shipping one or two gauges in a bubble envelope.
One gauge 10.5$ shipped.
Two gauges 14.5$ shipped.

I am just looking to unload the ones I have and don't see myself needing.

Thank You.

 

[chipper1]

Eventually I'm going to need one of these. The one I have is Husqvarna and has the roller guide on it. I dont use the roller guide, just the raker gauge and the problem with that one is it's difficult to hold. I dont like the ergonomics there are none but, it's the only raker gauge I have... anyone selling these in the US?

Not only are those not ergonomic, but I think they should stamp "soft" all over the whole things, because the metal is very soft on them considering what they are designed to do.

Philbert I know you remove them and then put them back on to test for clearance, it's fine for some instances, but I'd rather not do it that way. And it's also not how its shown in the instructions, so they should hold up better.

The style Philbert posted above is what I prefer over the ones on the roller guide, I also like the way these stihl guides work so far, used the 325 today again and went a bit lower than the hard setting(could use a little lower on this particular chain though, it has the ramps on it)

This is what my gauges get looking like in short order. I only use them to file in the field, or on one tooth per side on each chain and then grind the rest, they should last a lot longer.

 

[Wilhelm]

You guys make an obsession out of everything.

I reset the rakers on a new loop depending what saw it will be paired up with, then don't touch them for numerous sharpenings.
I again reset the rakers when I notice the chain racing, not taking a bite.

I eyeball raker height, no gauges.

I have to worry about a boatload of stuff every day, rakers are not something I will loose any thought over.