Am I right about when and what to sharpen?

D

dmonn

Branched out member
Location
Port Washington Wisconsin
I'm kind of a hack at sharpening my chains, but I'm getting better. I'm getting my cutters pretty sharp and consistent, but not sure about rakers. If I get mostly dust when cutting on the flat part of the bar but good chips and easy cutting when I bore cut, does that mean I need to lower my rakers? It seems like as the chain goes around the curve of the nose of the bar the cutters can dig deeper into the wood. On the flat part of the bar the rakers allow much less cutter to be exposed. Is that what's happening? If I file down the rakers a bit more will the saw be more subject to kick back? (not an issue if I am aware and ready for it.)

If the rakers are lowered and I'm not getting good chips, I assume that's also an indication that the cutters need sharpening. I don't often have this happen any more, since I touch up the cutters pretty frequently.

Another filing question: Do you like to run the file so it cuts going from outside to inside or the reverse? (File starts cutting at the sharp edge or file cuts toward the sharp edge?)

Thanks.
 
The Pferd chain filing system takes a lot of guesswork out of filing. It's a jig that has all the angles figured out and simultaneously here's a link showing one in use. Save some time and just go to 4:40 in the video and start there.

Pferd chain sharpeners are available at all the arborist supply shops, as well as amazon and others.

Here's a video from Pferd showing how to use two files and a couple gauges to sharpen the cutters and the depth gauge, using a round and flat file, an angle template and a raker gauge.
 
I still freehand sharpen my chains at the shop where I have a little more time, but for a quick field dressing those Pferd jigs are unbeatable. All of our trucks have them. They have the added bonus of being very easy to teach new guys to use...because they tend to dull a lot of saws
 
What does your raker huge read?

Probably need to lower them.

Zoom with your phone...
Take a pic.
Look at pic with your zoom.
Screen shot and post pics.
 
I admittedly suck at sharpening. The Pferd 2-in-1 makes me competent. Just make sure you get the right size. I have 2 different sizes, to avoid confusion I bought 1 Stihl branded one (it is identical)...so Orange for the .325 and blue for 3/8
 
Screw all that preffered nonsense. Learn to use a simple handfile. It is soooooo simple and very relaxing and rewarding. Nothing gets a better cutting chain. Have a depth gauge nearby to adjust your rakers when learning. It is great for the beginner.
 
cerviarborist said:
The Pferd chain filing system takes a lot of guesswork out of filing. It's a jig that has all the angles figured out and simultaneously here's a link showing one in use. Save some time and just go to 4:40 in the video and start there.

Pferd chain sharpeners are available at all the arborist supply shops, as well as amazon and others.

Here's a video from Pferd showing how to use two files and a couple gauges to sharpen the cutters and the depth gauge, using a round and flat file, an angle template and a raker gauge.
Click to expand...
It should be added that this system is only good for full comp.. It doesn't work for full skip
 
It's important to note the rakers and cutters need to be filed in proportion to each other, more than uniformity of length/height of the cutters only.

I learned to do it by feel, and did so for many years before I bought a raker height gauge. I used the gauge just a few times, and just went back to doing it how I've always done it. I tend to take them a little low and lay the flat file across the top of two cutters and eyeball the gap on the raker. Only time I pull out the gauge is when a chain is utterly screwed up
 
evo said:
It's important to note the rakers and cutters need to be filed in proportion to each other, more than uniformity of length/height of the cutters only.

I learned to do it by feel, and did so for many years before I bought a raker height gauge. I used the gauge just a few times, and just went back to doing it how I've always done it. I tend to take them a little low and lay the flat file across the top of two cutters and eyeball the gap on the raker. Only time I pull out the gauge is when a chain is utterly screwed up
Click to expand...
Exactly Jesse. Well said.
 
Hand file. Find some old chains to practice on. Get comfortable and keep the saw steady. I use a husqy raker plate, it measures per tooth instead of based off two. The muscle memory will come...
 
I'm spoiled as I have a square grinder. If I do have to file one I use the husqvarna roller gauge. Never cared much for the 2 in 1. Like being able to see how the file is riding in the cutter to make sure it is where I want it. Show us some pics of your sharpened cutters and we may be able to help you fine tune them though.
 
Proper tensioning of the chain, pre-filing helps.
some will shove a small wedge on the underside bar, between chain and bar to tension it for sharpening.

Some like a stump or bench vise.
 
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