Sharpening options for 540iXP?

Belac

Belac

Location
Winnipeg
We have been running MS 201s forever. We hand sharpen with the Stihl combo sharpener. Haven’t found a better option for getting consistency.

Recently picked up a 540iXP. Tried using our combo sharpener with the .004 round files. It’s not perfect. Would love to know who has a solution for me.
 
File the teeth and then the rakers? You can set up a grinder and keep some spare chains ready to go... I think you might find a laundry list of answers if you try the search function.
 
Someone in the past on here mentioned it’s a tough one to file, they just always buy fresh chains for this one particular saw since the fresh ones rip so hard.

I pretty much use this saw exclusively and think I just finally found the sweet spot. It was spitting out some great fettucini lookin shavings. Hand filed with a 5/32, barely tapped the rakers - the angle was a bit more flat than I usually do.
 
Lupin_IV said:
Someone in the past on here mentioned it’s a tough one to file, they just always buy fresh chains for this one particular saw since the fresh ones rip so hard.

I pretty much use this saw exclusively and think I just finally found the sweet spot. It was spitting out some great fettucini lookin shavings. Hand filed with a 5/32, barely tapped the rakers - the angle was a bit more flat than I usually do.
Click to expand...
That may have been me saying that. Definitely my experience. Abstinence is the best policy.. Aka keep your top handles away from the ground and from your groundies…
 
Lupin_IV said:
Someone in the past on here mentioned it’s a tough one to file, they just always buy fresh chains for this one particular saw since the fresh ones rip so hard.

I pretty much use this saw exclusively and think I just finally found the sweet spot. It was spitting out some great fettucini lookin shavings. Hand filed with a 5/32, barely tapped the rakers - the angle was a bit more flat than I usually do.
Click to expand...
Do you use
Lupin_IV said:
Someone in the past on here mentioned it’s a tough one to file, they just always buy fresh chains for this one particular saw since the fresh ones rip so hard.

I pretty much use this saw exclusively and think I just finally found the sweet spot. It was spitting out some great fettucini lookin shavings. Hand filed with a 5/32, barely tapped the rakers - the angle was a bit more flat than I usually do.
Click to expand...
Do you mean fettu-chain-i?

Thanks for sharing! I’ll try out the 5/32. I love that the 2-in-1 sharpener does both the depth gauge and the chisels at the same time. I don’t want to have to go over the chain twice…. I’m lazy. Or efficient?
 
Belac said:
Do you use

Do you mean fettu-chain-i?

Thanks for sharing! I’ll try out the 5/32. I love that the 2-in-1 sharpener does both the depth gauge and the chisels at the same time. I don’t want to have to go over the chain twice…. I’m lazy. Or efficient?
Click to expand...


It seems to take off too much of the raker in my opinion. Also with the 540ixp I found it’s annoying to get the whole combo unit in there. But the heart wants what it wants.
 
I have been using my cheapo harbor freight Chicago electric(?) chain grinder only for the nano stuff and it has been great for that, 25-26 degree cutter angle. I have both set up on my 200t and the 540ixp. The rakers are a pain but at least it’s only a 16” bar and chain. And a good clean flat file helps a lot. And as @Stumpsprouts said, keep ‘em off the ground and away from the groundie :)
 
I think a good method, especially for the smaller chains, is to use the combo file for every other or every third sharpening. Just do a round file by hand in between because I agree that the combo takes off too much raker.
 
I'm not a pro, but run a 540iXP 1-3 half days a week doing volunteer brush and invasives removal. After every shift I do a gentle tuneup with a 5/32" / 4.0mm file (not touching the rakers, usually). When the chain needs more than that I use Husq's roller guide for both the cutting edges and the rakers.

The roller guide works *really* well for me. I find it much easier than the longer traditional "sit on top" guides. My chain hit rock back in Jan. (yeah, yeah, 100% my fault) but after a couple more intensive sharpenings with the guide it's still cutting well and holding its edge.
 
Just wanted to throw this out there too, people have had good luck with converting their 540s to Oregons Speedcut nano! Unfortunately you can’t use the combo file on it but you can use the same file for 201 chains, which are 3/8 LP. I have Speedcut nano on both my echo 2511 and 2500, and they’ve been great chains, very fast and smooth
 
Paullythetreeclimber said:
Just wanted to throw this out there too, people have had good luck with converting their 540s to Oregons Speedcut nano! Unfortunately you can’t use the combo file on it but you can use the same file for 201 chains, which are 3/8 LP. I have Speedcut nano on both my echo 2511 and 2500, and they’ve been great chains, very fast and smooth
Click to expand...
Interesting. Looking at https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/p/614396 it appears this involves changing the bar and sprocket as well, even though the chain specs match Husq's? Unless Oregon is just up-selling...
 
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