When to replace chainsaw file

[jaotguy]

if the cutting teeth are not work hardened , you can get a lot of mileage from 1 file.... but as it gets used, it takes a bit more each time to do a good job .... BTW, stopping frequently and touching up the teeth can actually extend the life of the chain too....

anyway , do what you "feel" is best for you ... 3 strokes , 10 strokes... all personal preference .... and experience .... some need more , some less ...
just try not to work with a dull tool of any sort.... just makes things harder and longer to do.

 

[CobyRupert]

Teeth get "Work hardened"? Does this happen? Or are chains tempered (softened) when they are over-heated and slowly cool?

 

[kco]

I do what has already been mentioned over a few posts:

--buy them by the dozen and don't try for too much mileage
--I use a holder to judge the angle and mark the handle end. Normally get about two sharpenings before turning it 90 degrees for another two for about 4 sharpenings per file.

I also have to resist the tendency to over-use sandpaper disks. At some point it becomes counter productive, even at $0.00 per hour!

 

[jaotguy]

Teeth get "Work hardened"? Does this happen? Or are chains tempered (softened) when they are over-heated and slowly cool?

the dull teeth get very hot then cool quickly when you stop ( chain sitting in a big steel bar heat sink ... remember ) .. the tips get very hard and you actually need a stone to sharpen them afterwards .... .... stopping before it gets dull (and hot ) keeps the teeth softer and easier to file ....

 

[CobyRupert]

the dull teeth get very hot then cool quickly when you stop ( chain sitting in a big steel bar heat sink ... remember ) .. the tips get very hard and you actually need a stone to sharpen them afterwards .... .... stopping before it gets dull (and hot ) keeps the teeth softer and easier to file ....

Very interesting. Good info. :thumbsup: I think we've moved beyond Chain Sharpening 101 and are learning more advanced Chain Sharpening 213 info.

 

[arrow]

I don't know if you can go by me as I was strictly into production. When I was working, I'd use a file 6 times. This included touch ups and occasional ding repairs. To this day as a regular homeowner, I still use it to file 6 times. I just like the cut going faster with a few strokes rather than too many multiple strokes to get to the same place.

 

[jaotguy]

:thumbsup: ding or dong , touch the ground /rock , etc ... stop and touch up the blade ...

continuing to "cut any way" just costs you more time down the road ....

 

[turnkey4099]

4-6 sharpenings?! I must have about 25-50 on mine. I guess I've got my money's worth out of it and can afford to splurge $1.45 on another. Heck, maybe even two!

Even when I'm "just going to touch it up", "2-3 strokes each", somehow I end up taking 5-7 on each tooth until it "feels" right. Don't know why I do this. :confused3:

You do it because you are using a dull file. 25 chains, much less 50 are way over the life of a file.

Harry K

 

[Bluegill2]

With a sharp file you will get the chain sharper, quicker & be more accurate with angles and such.

 

[CobyRupert]

You do it because you are using a dull file. 25 chains, much less 50 are way over the life of a file. Harry K

Yes! "I see the light" said the blind man. FINALLY grabbed a new file. Wow, what a difference. 3 zips and done.