Chainsaw chain sharpening.......

[PILOON]

Maintaining a sharp toothed chain saw is like sharpening a chef's carving knife.

A little touch up every now and then!

On a saw chain that translates to a stroke or 2 every 2nd tank fill up.

Draw filing the chain bar to keep it square from time to time is another often neglected task.

 

[MH8675309]

So that when you are filing down the raker you're not accidentally nicking the sharpened tooth with a file and so dulling it.

 

[Oldpath05]

Other then size of saw, type of chain, size of trees can be used as a dept guide on saw chain rakers, so if your cutting mostly small trees and bushes, probably shouldn't give the rakers a crew cut. But if using a Husqvarna, the best saw in the world, and cutting big firewood and logs then that is where a mule and a ox will work the best.

 

[Molalla1]

Other then size of saw, type of chain, size of trees can be used as a dept guide on saw chain rakers, so if your cutting mostly small trees and bushes, probably shouldn't give the rakers a crew cut. But if using a Husqvarna, the best saw in the world, and cutting big firewood and logs then that is where a mule and a ox will work the best.

I'm going to disagree with you on this one Oldpath . . . (about the Husqvarna )

 

[4570Man]

I'm going to disagree with you on this one Oldpath . . . (about the Husqvarna )

But, he was right.

 

[Molalla1]

But, he was right.

OK 4570, but not in my experience . . . :confused3:. . . we all love our "Brand". :drink:

 

[4570Man]

OK 4570, but not in my experience . . . :confused3:. . . we all love our "Brand". :drink:

Stihl makes a fine saw along with others that don’t have the brand recognition those 2 do but Stihl isn’t worthy of the blind praise across all models that many people give it.

 

[ovrszd]

This topic bleeds more prejudice than the HST versus Gear discussions. Everyone is an expert.

 

[Molalla1]

This topic bleeds more prejudice than the HST versus Gear discussions. Everyone is an expert.

:laughing: . . . . yep.

 

[Molalla1]

Bad experience with Stihl? 4570 . . . .

 

[ruffdog]

I have always file sharpened my saws and file the rakers when needed (by feel). How aggressive the chain is depends on the saw, wood, chain, and moisture. The chains I use for noodling are also a bit more aggressive.

 

[4570Man]

Bad experience with Stihl? 4570 . . . .

I don’t have anything against Stihl except they cost more to get the same thing. I get tired of seeing all the Stihl praise especially from someone that owns a farmboss.

 

[4570Man]

This topic bleeds more prejudice than the HST versus Gear discussions. Everyone is an expert.

They’re both pretty bad. At least within reason that can be compared. Comparing Husqvarna vs Stihl is completely pointless. 550xp vs 261 Stihl or any other similar models is a much more useful comparison.

 

[ruffdog]

I cut a bunch of wood with a old Deere 80EV saw until the electronic ignition gave out. It was heavy but had torque. I probably used it to cut up 2 dozen oaks with it and cost $125. It saved me a bunch of money not having to go to a fitness gym too!

 

[oosik]

I have two Stihl saws - 180 & 280. The rakers on the 180 are about 0.010 below the teeth. The rakers on the 280 are about 0.020 below the teeth. This is just an eyeball estimate. After 35 years of using a "clamp on the bar sharpener" - I gave up. I now use a file in a hand clamp. I can feel the correct angles and give each tooth a couple licks.
As long as they spit out big chips or noodles - all is well. I have to sharpen the saws after each days use - volcanic ash in the pine bark.

Cutting one of my big pines in the late afternoon is an invite to a wild sparkler demonstration. The volcanic ash in the pine bark really causes quite a sparkler show. Fortunately, it has never caused a fire.

 

[Molalla1]

I don’t have anything against Stihl except they cost more to get the same thing. I get tired of seeing all the Stihl praise especially from someone that owns a farmboss.

You must not be referring to me . . .

 

[PEJ5]

I bought one of these a few weeks ago. I was skeptical but thought it would be good for touching up the chain in the woods. It works great and takes only a few minutes so I bought another one for my 3/8 chains


View attachment 608500

I recently replaced my 40 year old saw with a used Stihl 290. The chain had been abused and is .325 so I needed a new file setup and lots to be filed back. I went for the fancy Stihl sharpener and I am amazed with the strips the saw produces. Clearly I was not filing back the rakers enough on my old saw.
I highly recommend this file for anyone doing their own sharpening no matter the brand of saw.

Peter

 

[4570Man]

You must not be referring to me . . .

I wasn’t referring to any one person.

 

[4570Man]

I recently replaced my 40 year old saw with a used Stihl 290. The chain had been abused and is .325 so I needed a new file setup and lots to be filed back. I went for the fancy Stihl sharpener and I am amazed with the strips the saw produces. Clearly I was not filing back the rakers enough on my old saw.
I highly recommend this file for anyone doing their own sharpening no matter the brand of saw.

Peter

I’d recommend starting fresh with a new chain. It’s a lot easier to maintain a sharp chain vs clean up a damaged or poorly sharpened mess.

 

[CobyRupert]

I have two Stihl saws - 180 & 280. The rakers on the 180 are about 0.010 below the teeth. The rakers on the 280 are about 0.020 below the teeth. This is just an eyeball estimate. After 35 years of using a "clamp on the bar sharpener" - I gave up. I now use a file in a hand clamp. I can feel the correct angles and give each tooth a couple licks.
As long as they spit out big chips or noodles - all is well. I have to sharpen the saws after each days use - volcanic ash in the pine bark.

Cutting one of my big pines in the late afternoon is an invite to a wild sparkler demonstration. The volcanic ash in the pine bark really causes quite a sparkler show. Fortunately, it has never caused a fire.

Mount Saint Helen’s sparks?
Or is the ash just everywhere from forever?