Filing guide v free hand filing

[Mozza]

Free hand (after lots of practice as said ) and profile the rakers, Super sharp

[Johny Walker]

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!

 

& how do you make it cut straiter please do tell??

Edited November 11, 2010 by Johny Walker

[Mark Bolam]

Guide for 90% on here.

 

You'll know when you're in the 10%......

[treequip]

Free hand and practice, after a few years you will have developed such muscle memory you will be able to do a better job with your eyes shut than you ever could with a file guide

[Lorry thompson]

& how do you make it cut straiter please do tell??

 

Would like to know too mate. I prefer free hand maybe it's lazy or quickest or if it's better I'm not sure one thing I do know is I remember using my fathers 020 when I was about 18 and I've been able to make one cut as fast as that! I still try different ways but I'm not there yet:lol:

[blue beastie]

In an effort to improve my sharpening I just bought an Oregon Filing Guide from the nice folk at Clark Forestry (thanks guys). It arrived yesterday.

 

I'd was planning a wee write up for yous but the Mrs is away with the camera.

 

I guess it's maybe a bit too much of a newbie tool for some, but so far i'm well pleased with how it performs.

[Chris Gagen]

was taught by my father to use file guide but have since found free hand better for a good edge and also it enables you to rotate the file slightly during each stroke to clear the filings from the file teeth most effectively:thumbup1:

[Johny Walker]

was taught by my father to use file guide but have since found free hand better for a good edge and also it enables you to rotate the file slightly during each stroke to clear the filings from the file teeth most effectively:thumbup1:

 

just give the file a couple of good taps on the & that clears them out preety good v:thumbup1:

[bjam1964]

Only use guide if chain has a lot of damage and need to remove a lot of metal quickly. Always finish with no guide for best and lasting finish. Hydraulic grinder in workshop does a reasonable job but has taken two years of practice to perfect!

[Andy Collins]

I use a roller guide for sharpening, though I'll "touch-up" during the day free hand. I dont like the fixed guides as you cant roll the file through. A friend of mine can sharpen better free hand, so I think its practise and becomes a knack.