Vallorbe double bevel file

[TooLegit2Quit]

Does anyone know where to buy one of these? The double bevel file I have is worn out, and from what I’ve read, the Vallorbe double bevel is the best.

 

[huskihl]

They were a little bit tough to find before Rona. Almost impossible now. @Dolkitafreak used to have a source, but that was a few years ago

 

[Squareground3691]

I buy them by the dozen from, https://www.mgpsupply.com/products/vallorbe-double-chisel-bit-files-1
But just checked and they’re out of stock, but usually don’t take that long to get them back in stock , keep checking back if you don’t have any luck somewhere else.

 

[ZERO]

How long did your last and what were the filing conditions?

I could not wear one out in a single season.

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

How long did your last and what were the filing conditions?

I could not wear one out in a single season.

I have a Bahco double bevel, and I just started sharpening square ground. I’ve done 4 chains so far, two of them started out as round ground chains. I think in the beginning I was pushing way to hard trying to get the shape right. Anyways the bevel on one side of the file feels dull because I can’t make any changes to the side plate angle with it.

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

I buy them by the dozen from, https://www.mgpsupply.com/products/vallorbe-double-chisel-bit-files-1
But just checked and they’re out of stock, but usually don’t take that long to get them back in stock , keep checking back if you don’t have any luck somewhere else.

Are the single bevel files any good? Or even Valorbes “triangle” file?

 

[huskihl]

Are the single bevel files any good? Or even Valorbes “triangle” file?

Triangle files are usually available through stihl and are quite a bit cheaper. Single bevel is ok but they are known to flex a little bit since they are thinner

 

[Squareground3691]

Are the single bevel files any good? Or even Valorbes “triangle” file?

I’ve used Vallorbe triangle, their good files , just prefer the double bevel.

 

[Squareground3691]

I have a Bahco double bevel, and I just started sharpening square ground. I’ve done 4 chains so far, two of them started out as round ground chains. I think in the beginning I was pushing way to hard trying to get the shape right. Anyways the bevel on one side of the file feels dull because I can’t make any changes to the side plate angle with it.

Throw up some pics of the cutters ,

 

[Dolkitafreak]

Double bevels are stiffer, but you can accomplish great results with triangle too! My vallorbe source has dried up.

 

[BLACKOUT]

Triangle files are usually available through stihl and are quite a bit cheaper. Single bevel is ok but they are known to flex a little bit since they are thinner

I’ll be damned! You’re right, a single bit is more flexible. I will say when I was starting out a single bevel was a bit easier for me to keep my corner lined up than a double bevel. Others mileage may vary but that was my experience with a single bevel. The triangle is very flexible and I’ve yet to master that one.

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

Throw up some pics of the cutters ,

I can usually nail the top corner pretty easily, but I struggle getting the “bottom corner” of that line straight through the crease of the cutter. Also it’s hard to judge side plate angle while filing, lots of stopping to check and then filing some more. Any tips are most welcome.

 

[huskihl]

I can usually nail the top corner pretty easily, but I struggle getting the “bottom corner” of that line straight through the crease of the cutter. Also it’s hard to judge side plate angle while filing, lots of stopping to check and then filing some more. Any tips are most welcome.

Your cutters look ok and you have the right idea. It’s hard to make both corners line up with a file and still produce a chain for firewooding rather than racing as the chassis gets in the way as you file more downward.

I wouldn’t worry about the top plate angle. The file shape isn’t adjustable so you can only make 2 of the 3 angles how you want them. Get your down angle where you want so the cutter is durable, and get the side plate angle where you want it (between 0 and 5° forward lean or so) so that the chain self-feeds with .025” rakers. (More forward lean makes them more aggressive). And your top plate angle will end up where it ends up. Usually between 15 and 20°.

 

[ZERO]

When I struggled in the beginning and had my angles all wonky donky, I went back to round filing first. I had to understand the relationship between my hands, file, and what I tried to achieve. Once my hands and filing stabilized, went back to square. It still was not perfect, repetition made it better each time.

Filing is like writing, try out different techniques and stay with what works best for you. Everyone holds the pen a little differently, everyone writes differently, end goal is the same.

 

[Squareground3691]

When I struggled in the beginning and had my angles all wonky donky, I went back to round filing first. I had to understand the relationship between my hands, file, and what I tried to achieve. Once my hands and filing stabilized, went back to square. It still was not perfect, repetition made it better each time.

Filing is like writing, try out different techniques and stay with what works best for you. Everyone holds the pen a little differently, everyone writes differently, end goal is the same.

Yep , Just becomes a repetitive motion, as you go,

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

Your cutters look ok and you have the right idea. It’s hard to make both corners line up with a file and still produce a chain for firewooding rather than racing as the chassis gets in the way as you file more downward.

I wouldn’t worry about the top plate angle. The file shape isn’t adjustable so you can only make 2 of the 3 angles how you want them. Get your down angle where you want so the cutter is durable, and get the side plate angle where you want it (between 0 and 5° forward lean or so) so that the chain self-feeds with .025” rakers. (More forward lean makes them more aggressive). And your top plate angle will end up where it ends up. Usually between 15 and 20°.

Thanks for the advice, it’s taken me a lot of experimenting and getting it wrong. Do you prefer to file down into the tooth from the top, or up from the bottom? I’ve tried both and it feels more natural filing from the bottom, just because I’ve round filed for so long.

 

[huskihl]

Thanks for the advice, it’s taken me a lot of experimenting and getting it wrong. Do you prefer to file down into the tooth from the top, or up from the bottom? I’ve tried both and it feels more natural filing from the bottom, just because I’ve round filed for so long.

Most do it from the top down so you can see the corner. And there’s not much of a chance of leaving a burr that way. But going inside out is easier on the file because you’re not hammering it into the sharp corner all the time

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

When I struggled in the beginning and had my angles all wonky donky, I went back to round filing first. I had to understand the relationship between my hands, file, and what I tried to achieve. Once my hands and filing stabilized, went back to square. It still was not perfect, repetition made it better each time.

Filing is like writing, try out different techniques and stay with what works best for you. Everyone holds the pen a little differently, everyone writes differently, end goal is the same.

I gave up on it the first try too, but now I’m more determined to practice. It’s hard to identify what corrections to make after inspecting the tooth. I’ve tried adjusting one angle at a time to reach my desired shape, but it never pans out exactly like I want it to. First I want to be able to make one tooth “perfect”, then work on doing that every time to every tooth.

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

Most do it from the top down so you can see the corner. And there’s not much of a chance of leaving a burr that way. But going inside out is easier on the file because you’re not hammering it into the sharp corner all the time

Is creating a burr bad? I usually like seeing the burr form. I’ll break it off, then do a couple really light swipes to try to get a clean edge.

 

[huskihl]

Is creating a burr bad? I usually like seeing the burr form. I’ll break it off, then do a couple really light swipes to try to get a clean edge.

It’s not ideal. If the burr hangs onto the outside, it’s leaving a small surface that isn’t sharp. It’s trivial for cutting firewood but not to a racer