How do you sharpen your chains?

brainfart · 11th August 2007, 10:05 AM

By hand, with a file, or do you use a machine? Which one is better, and why?

In my opinion, by hand with a round file gives them more bite, there's no danger of the teeth getting too hot, and the chains last longer.
But how do you do it?

pomme · 11th August 2007, 12:43 PM

by hand have a file system by a german company holds a round file and a flat file at the same time so sets the depth guages at the same time as you sharpen the chain

Ekka · 11th August 2007, 02:14 PM

On the saw touch up with file.

Also have a Oregon grinder I use on the bench.

Secret to not over heating and blackening those teeth is dress the wheel frequently to remove metal grindings embedded in the stone, take little at a time.

If ya chain is rocked out and chrome taken off the top of the tooth, I ditch them.

OsAGe85 · 11th August 2007, 05:38 PM

Hand file. I like it to be perfect, Im a little OCD.

a_lopa · 11th August 2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pomme

by hand have a file system by a german company holds a round file and a flat file at the same time so sets the depth guages at the same time as you sharpen the chain

Got a picture of that?

JayD · 12th August 2007, 12:34 AM

Hi,
We use an Oregon electric grinder,we take it every where we work,fast and efficient,but you dont grind hard you just touch up lightly,we go thru chains but the speed makes up for it,more often is better than a hard grind, Files on hand just in case!.

sharpend · 13th August 2007, 06:48 PM

Got no weight now,Me. But a combo of the two,everything has its place.For puttin' it into the dirt,and plain ol' wear round file works fine,unless full on chisle[square],sorry.But if you hit rock,sand,conc. ... machine is the way to go.Seems to me that with a long while of seeing diffrent abuse you will be able to tell (not always but alot of the time) what caused what. W/a machine everything is set:angle, amount off each tooth ,depth into the gullet.All things are set, hard to go wrong.Slight touch,clean wheel, good settings, things seen & felt. But what my Pop taught me,start w/ the basics, Nothing more basic than a, file-raker & round (or square,rarely used outside of prof. fallers)

TreeCo · 13th August 2007, 09:35 PM

Bench grinder and hand files.

mdvaden · 14th August 2007, 11:37 PM

Usually one hand filing to touch up the edge, but sending the chain to the saw shop most of the time for convenience.

a_lopa · 15th August 2007, 12:43 AM

File by hand.

TrevMcRev · 15th August 2007, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_lopa

File by hand.

Same here

Quintrex · 15th August 2007, 01:32 AM

File by hand. Only use the grinder if I hit a rock or nail etc and it needs to come back a ways.

Roller · 15th August 2007, 05:32 AM

Hand file, but I have so many chains that need sharpening I need to get a grinder.

pomme · 15th August 2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_lopa

Got a picture of that?

will upload a pic when i can the file holder is by a german company called pferd you might be able to find them on the net

Ekka · 16th August 2007, 02:01 AM

PFERD Chain Saw Files & Accessories - Chain Sharp Tool & Accessories

TreeCo · 16th August 2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

PFERD Chain Saw Files & Accessories - Chain Sharp Tool & Accessories

I've got three sizes of the pferd guides and they all seem to take too much off of the depth guide. I've been using them with the depth guide file removed most of the time and then when the guides need reducing putting the guide file back in.

The one that does the 3/8 mini on my MS200T is useless and can ruin a chain by taking the guides down way to far. The chain bites in and stops running.

I wish they could be modified to adjust the depth gauge setting because I really do like them.

pomme · 16th August 2007, 11:07 AM

thats them they are the mutts cannot recommend them highly enough. you can have a like new chain right down to the wear markers

11th August 2007, 10:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
brainfart Sappling Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 10	How do you sharpen your chains? By hand, with a file, or do you use a machine? Which one is better, and why? In my opinion, by hand with a round file gives them more bite, there's no danger of the teeth getting too hot, and the chains last longer. But how do you do it?

11th August 2007, 02:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	On the saw touch up with file. Also have a Oregon grinder I use on the bench. Secret to not over heating and blackening those teeth is dress the wheel frequently to remove metal grindings embedded in the stone, take little at a time. If ya chain is rocked out and chrome taken off the top of the tooth, I ditch them. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

11th August 2007, 05:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
OsAGe85 Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Littlerock Arkansas US Posts: 66	Hand file. I like it to be perfect, Im a little OCD. __________________ Gotta love the smell 2 stroke and wood chips. Be smart, be safe.

12th August 2007, 12:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 941	Hi, We use an Oregon electric grinder,we take it every where we work,fast and efficient,but you dont grind hard you just touch up lightly,we go thru chains but the speed makes up for it,more often is better than a hard grind, Files on hand just in case!. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory

14th August 2007, 11:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
mdvaden Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 543	Usually one hand filing to touch up the edge, but sending the chain to the saw shop most of the time for convenience. __________________ ____________________________________ Grove of Redwood TITANS Oregon BIGOOT trap

11th August 2007, 12:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
pomme Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 220	by hand have a file system by a german company holds a round file and a flat file at the same time so sets the depth guages at the same time as you sharpen the chain

13th August 2007, 06:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
sharpend Sappling Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 25	Got no weight now,Me. But a combo of the two,everything has its place.For puttin' it into the dirt,and plain ol' wear round file works fine,unless full on chisle[square],sorry.But if you hit rock,sand,conc. ... machine is the way to go.Seems to me that with a long while of seeing diffrent abuse you will be able to tell (not always but alot of the time) what caused what. W/a machine everything is set:angle, amount off each tooth ,depth into the gullet.All things are set, hard to go wrong.Slight touch,clean wheel, good settings, things seen & felt. But what my Pop taught me,start w/ the basics, Nothing more basic than a, file-raker & round (or square,rarely used outside of prof. fallers)

13th August 2007, 09:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
TreeCo Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 259	Bench grinder and hand files.

15th August 2007, 12:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
a_lopa Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 877	File by hand. __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

15th August 2007, 01:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 464	File by hand. Only use the grinder if I hit a rock or nail etc and it needs to come back a ways.

15th August 2007, 05:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
Roller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 214	Hand file, but I have so many chains that need sharpening I need to get a grinder.

16th August 2007, 02:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	PFERD Chain Saw Files & Accessories - Chain Sharp Tool & Accessories __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

16th August 2007, 11:07 AM	#17 (permalink)
pomme Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 220	thats them they are the mutts cannot recommend them highly enough. you can have a like new chain right down to the wear markers