Filing guide v free hand filing

[Les Cork]

Your comments please

 

For those who have tried both free hand filing and using a correct filing guide and depth guage, i would appreciate your honest opinions of the difference in cutting performance.

 

What i am trying to achieve is to create practical useful tips and reasons on the use of correct guides to users who have sharpened free hand as that was the way they were taught [pre ATB, NPTC].

[Nick B]

I will use a file guide to get the angle right in the first place,

and then the last 2 strokes free hand just to get the best edge

Probably totally wrong but it works for me

[slasherscot]

free hand beats filing gauge by 5% if done properly, according to mr Stihl.

[skyhuck]

Free hand is best.

 

You need to sharpen a few thousand times before your good, but its worth the time and effort, IMO.

[jose]

free hand everytime!

[Littletree]

Free hand all the way

littletree:thumbup:

[MattyF]

Free hand is best.

 

You need to sharpen a few thousand times before your good, but its worth the time and effort, IMO.

 

very true:thumbup:

[18 stoner]

Although when learning a guide is a good start, it does not create the best edge.

 

As Dave says, more and more practice will give a sharper chain.

 

I would liken it to a hand built car compered to a robot built, the guide will be fine and serve very well but if you want perfection there is nothing better than a little human touch!

[veners]

Free hand for me, get a little longer out of the chain

[RobRainford]

Free Hand for quickness and a little touch up. File guide if I want to get a good edge. I've made a chain cut straighter using a file guide than it was brand new. Cut faster too!