Does your chain saw only last three or four sharpenings?
What's a better chainsaw file than: Oregon #23727 3/16" (4.8mm) round file

SITUATION:
A few months ago, I bought a new Husqvarna 445 18" chainsaw.
I bought, at the time, two Oregon #23728 round 3/16" (4.8mm) chain saw
files (in addition to a depth gage and flat file). After only about three
or four filings, I noticed the file slipping more easily (and not biting).

Switching to the unused file (they came in a 2 pack), I noticed the unused
file bit much more than the now-used file.

TECHNIQUE:
There are only 36 teeth (18 each side) on the chain; and (with a new file),
it takes only four to seven swipes per tooth to sharpen.
It seems to me that a chain saw file should be HARDER than the chain saw
teeth, and that it should outlast the chain. Certainly it should, IMHO, get
a few dozen chain sharpenings.

MY QUESTION:
Q: Do you only get three or four sharpenings per file?
Q: If you get more, where can I get the 'better' chainsaw file that you
use?

On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:50:11 -0800, croy wrote:

one common mistake ... is to draw it backwards

I'll check my technique, but, I'm aware that a hand file (like a hand saw)
only cuts in the forward direction.

On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:24:35 -0800 (PST), beecrofter wrote:
get in the habit of wiping the
filings out of the file on your pants leg after each tooth.

Interesting that you only get four or five sharpenings per file (that
concurs with my one and only experience, so far). I would have expected
more.

As for wiping the filings, I didn't state it but that's the first thing I
did when I felt it 'dull'. I brushed it with a wire brush. So, "clogged
pores" are not the problem.

My teeth on the file dulled after only a small handful of filings.

On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:53:37 -0500, wrote:
Once I found the chain saw stones for my Dremel tool, I stopped using
a file.

What is the 'size' of the Dremel tool bit?

Is it simply the same size as the file bit (which in my case is 3/16" or
4.8mm)?

Does the Dremel tool bit last a few dozen filings?

On Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:10:52 -0500, Tony Miklos wrote:
Once I found the chain saw stones for my Dremel tool,
I stopped using a file.

Exactly. It almost works too good to be true, but they are great.

How many chain sharpenings does a Dremel tool bit last?

On Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:25:10 -0500, wrote:
What is the 'size' of the Dremel tool bit?
They have stones for the common cain saw teeth

I guess that means they're the same size as the file.

While I have nothing against a Dremel tool, it's hard to see using a bit
rotating at high rpm when only three or four swipes with a file do the same
work.

Still ... if the Dremel bit lasts far longer than a file, then it might be
worth switching methods - but otherwise - my first obvious thought is that
a Dremel tool seems thousands of RPM too much overkill for something that
takes a mere handful of swipes with a file to accomplish.

On Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:16:47 -0800, "Fred W. James"
wrote:

Does your chain saw only last three or four sharpenings?
What's a better chainsaw file than: Oregon #23727 3/16" (4.8mm) round file

SITUATION:
A few months ago, I bought a new Husqvarna 445 18" chainsaw.
I bought, at the time, two Oregon #23728 round 3/16" (4.8mm) chain saw
files (in addition to a depth gage and flat file). After only about three
or four filings, I noticed the file slipping more easily (and not biting).

Switching to the unused file (they came in a 2 pack), I noticed the unused
file bit much more than the now-used file.

TECHNIQUE:
There are only 36 teeth (18 each side) on the chain; and (with a new file),
it takes only four to seven swipes per tooth to sharpen.
It seems to me that a chain saw file should be HARDER than the chain saw
teeth, and that it should outlast the chain. Certainly it should, IMHO, get
a few dozen chain sharpenings.

MY QUESTION:
Q: Do you only get three or four sharpenings per file?
Q: If you get more, where can I get the 'better' chainsaw file that you
use?

I don't know what your method is, but one common mistake
people make when using a file is to draw it backwards while
maintaining pressure on it--this dulls the teeth of the file
needlessly.

--
croy

On Nov 19, 6:16*pm, "Fred W. James" wrote:
Does your chain saw only last three or four sharpenings?
What's a better chainsaw file than: Oregon #23727 3/16" (4.8mm) round file

SITUATION:
A few months ago, I bought a new Husqvarna 445 18" chainsaw.
I bought, at the time, two Oregon #23728 round 3/16" (4.8mm) chain saw
files (in addition to a depth gage and flat file). After only about three
or four filings, I noticed the file slipping more easily (and not biting)..

Switching to the unused file (they came in a 2 pack), I noticed the unused
file bit much more than the now-used file.

TECHNIQUE:
There are only 36 teeth (18 each side) on the chain; and (with a new file),
it takes only four to seven swipes per tooth to sharpen.
It seems to me that a chain saw file should be HARDER than the chain saw
teeth, and that it should outlast the chain. Certainly it should, IMHO, get
a few dozen chain sharpenings.

MY QUESTION:
Q: Do you only get three or four sharpenings per file?
Q: If you get more, where can I get the 'better' chainsaw file that you
use?

Very rarely do I ever run into a bad file.
One thing that will kill a chainsaw file is work hardened saw teeth
where you hit something harder than wood and the impacts hardened the
steel.
The file will skate over the hard surface and not take a bite.
You should be sharpening when four strokes per tooth will finish the
job.

Four good sharpenings is not bad you might be able to get six if you
keep the chain out of the dirt and only file on the push stroke.
If you want eight sharpenings per file get in the habit of wiping the
filings out of the file on your pants leg after each tooth.

A few dozen? maybe in the movies.

On 11/21/2011 11:53 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:16:47 -0800, "Fred W. James"
wrote:

Does your chain saw only last three or four sharpenings?
What's a better chainsaw file than: Oregon #23727 3/16" (4.8mm) round file

SITUATION:
A few months ago, I bought a new Husqvarna 445 18" chainsaw.
I bought, at the time, two Oregon #23728 round 3/16" (4.8mm) chain saw
files (in addition to a depth gage and flat file). After only about three
or four filings, I noticed the file slipping more easily (and not biting).

Switching to the unused file (they came in a 2 pack), I noticed the unused
file bit much more than the now-used file.

TECHNIQUE:
There are only 36 teeth (18 each side) on the chain; and (with a new file),
it takes only four to seven swipes per tooth to sharpen.
It seems to me that a chain saw file should be HARDER than the chain saw
teeth, and that it should outlast the chain. Certainly it should, IMHO, get
a few dozen chain sharpenings.

MY QUESTION:
Q: Do you only get three or four sharpenings per file?
Q: If you get more, where can I get the 'better' chainsaw file that you
use?

Once I found the chain saw stones for my Dremel tool, I stopped using
a file.

Exactly. It almost works too good to be true, but they are great.

On 11/22/2011 6:55 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:01:49 -0800, "Fred W. James"
wrote:

On Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:25:10 -0500, wrote:
What is the 'size' of the Dremel tool bit?
They have stones for the common cain saw teeth

I guess that means they're the same size as the file.

While I have nothing against a Dremel tool, it's hard to see using a bit
rotating at high rpm when only three or four swipes with a file do the same
work.

Still ... if the Dremel bit lasts far longer than a file, then it might be
worth switching methods - but otherwise - my first obvious thought is that
a Dremel tool seems thousands of RPM too much overkill for something that
takes a mere handful of swipes with a file to accomplish.

I find the Dremel seems easier to control and mine is variable speed.
I always seemed to wobble around a bit with the file and I had a hard
time getting them all the same. I had a doodad that clamped on the bar
but it was a big bulky thing.

I haven't worn out a stone yet. I did see my neighbor overheat one
tho. That was user error

I just drop them off, 4 at a time (usually once a year) to the
professional who sharpens them professionally, properly, with a proper
jigged chain sharpening apparatus made by stihl. He also touches the
rakes each time to keep the cutting depth proper. You all can't do any
of that with a ****ing file. I pity your chains. They must look hideous.

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

On 11/22/2011 11:13 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:54:39 -0800, Steve Barker
wrote:

I find the Dremel seems easier to control and mine is variable speed.
I always seemed to wobble around a bit with the file and I had a hard
time getting them all the same. I had a doodad that clamped on the bar
but it was a big bulky thing.

I haven't worn out a stone yet. I did see my neighbor overheat one
tho. That was user error

I just drop them off, 4 at a time (usually once a year) to the
professional who sharpens them professionally, properly, with a proper
jigged chain sharpening apparatus made by stihl. He also touches the
rakes each time to keep the cutting depth proper. You all can't do any
of that with a ****ing file. I pity your chains. They must look hideous.

You can buy a chain for less than $15, why act like these are fine
heirlooms?


Depends on what kind of chains you are buying. The cheap ones are $15,
good ones use much better hardened steel teeth and your file would
hardly scuff it. Lot's of chains are up in the $50 range. They cut
better and stay sharp longer.

I got to use a friend's dremel chain saw sharpener. Had to
run at full speed, and then it didn't do as good as job as
the file. Of course, my sample may be not typical. I wasn't
impressed.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Fred W. James" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:25:10 -0500, wrote:
What is the 'size' of the Dremel tool bit?
They have stones for the common cain saw teeth

I guess that means they're the same size as the file.

While I have nothing against a Dremel tool, it's hard to see
using a bit
rotating at high rpm when only three or four swipes with a
file do the same
work.

Still ... if the Dremel bit lasts far longer than a file,
then it might be
worth switching methods - but otherwise - my first obvious
thought is that
a Dremel tool seems thousands of RPM too much overkill for
something that
takes a mere handful of swipes with a file to accomplish.