Chain Sharpening.. Acceptable discrepancy between teeth.

[gensetsteve]

I find a squirt of wd40 keeps the files clean and not dragging them on the back stroke helps them stay sharp.

[champagnecharly]

Good to read different views with a cumulative of many hours experience. Thanks!

I decided on not going over the top as long as any difference was no more than 0.5mm. My aim is to get chips and not dust.. if i get dust after the time it's taken me I wont be happy. (chain came with 2nd hand saw with wrong angle and 2+mm difference so it took some work getting it right.

Chain now soaking in an oil bath after having been cleaned up... ready for use.... The bar now cleaned and dressed, i dont surpose I need to oil the groove on bar seperately do I i (new tip is already greased) .

[doobin]

My thinking is that as you do the opposite side to the one facing you you bend the file a little bit giving a hooked profile.

 

I have noticed this when watching staff, you're right. Some find it easier than others to correct. It's caused by having the saw body in the way I think.

 

I thought by hooked you meant too little side plate angle- round here we call that 'hook'.

 

If a chain is badly mangled I will use a flat file to put the correct top plate angle on before boring out the required about with a round file. Am I the only one here who does that?

[treequip]

I find a squirt of wd40 keeps the files clean and not dragging them on the back stroke helps them stay sharp.

 

Dragging on the back stroke is a flogging offence

[Stubby]

Dragging on the back stroke is a flogging offence

 

Dragging back on the stroke lightly helps keep the file from clogging .

[Rob D]

Dragging on the back stroke is a flogging offence

 

 

Dragging hard on the back stroke probably is - lightly is fine and also some old timers actually think it achieves a better edge.

 

 

Horses for courses really - if you can achieve a nicely sharpened tooth I don't think there is a right way or wrong way.

 

 

[treequip]

Dragging back on the stroke lightly helps keep the file from clogging .

 

As does a light tap of the file or a rub with a gloved hand, neither of which will reduce the life of the file

 

Files are designed to cut in one direction

[Stubby]

As does a light tap of the file or a rub with a gloved hand, neither of which will reduce the life of the file

 

Files are designed to cut in one direction

 

Thats why I said " lightly " . Not trying to cut with it on the back stroke .

[wyk]

Thats why I said " lightly " . Not trying to cut with it on the back stroke .

 

When hand sharpening square ground chain, you would actually put the file into the other side of the cutter from round ground to get a sharper corner.

 

[Lillywhite Timber]

I have noticed this when watching staff, you're right. Some find it easier than others to correct. It's caused by having the saw body in the way I think.

 

I thought by hooked you meant too little side plate angle- round here we call that 'hook'.

 

If a chain is badly mangled I will use a flat file to put the correct top plate angle on before boring out the required about with a round file. Am I the only one here who does that?

 

No , youre not the only one ...i do exactly the same on a badly mangled chain !!