woodworkingboy
TreeHouser
Maybe it's a bad habit, but I always file with the thumb of my other hand supporting the cutter, kind of pushing it against the other side of the bar groove to keep it from wiggling.
Small filing tip
- Thread starter cory
- Start date
- Replies 199
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Burnham
Woods walker
Me, too...well, usually.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #78
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Ha!
Burnham
Woods walker
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
Might not work if you don't have a brake .
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
AFAIK, the chainbreak has nothing to do with tensioning the chain.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #83
Good point, Al. It's been so long since I've run a saw with no brake that I hadn't considered that.
MB, as I said in the OP, I'm not sure why it works, as you are right, the brake shouldn't tension the chain.
MB, as I said in the OP, I'm not sure why it works, as you are right, the brake shouldn't tension the chain.
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
I agree .The way I do up over the top and within 4-5 inchs of the engine you don't have much chain to stretch .At least it never gave me any problems .
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #85
True, close to the engine helps but means more pauses to advance the chain to the next cutter. And close to the engine doesn't help as much for the right hand cutters cuz they can't be accessed as close to the engine. Using the brake allows you to hit about 3 cutters at a time before advancing the chain. FWIW.
SkwerI
Treehouser
I prefer advancing the chain for each tooth, keeping my filing position exactly the same for each tooth in order to retain consistency. My body, hands, file and chain tooth are all in the exact same position so it's simple muscle memory and every tooth is treated the same. This makes it so I don't have to 'fix' the chain after several hand filings. I can maintain consistency until the chain is toast.
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
+1 what the Sqwirl say 
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Yep. My hands stay in the same position, and I advance each tooth. Doing that helps me to keep a consistent angle.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #89
Good call, Skwerl, re maintaining all potential variables the same. Do you use any filing guides/aids? If no, do all of your chains stay "perfect" or nearly so for their whole working life?
I file freehand about 75% of the time and use a Nordic brand 2-roller thingy periodically the rest of the time to keep me honest.
I file freehand about 75% of the time and use a Nordic brand 2-roller thingy periodically the rest of the time to keep me honest.
SkwerI
Treehouser
I tried using a file guide once, didn't like it. Once in a while I'll spot inconsistencies (filing too high or too low) and compensate to correct it. But for the most part I can use the chain until it's used up without losing cutting efficiency.
NickfromWI
King of Splices
i have to admit- every time I see this thread in the list of threads I keep thinking its about a new type of small file for filing just the very tip of the cutter teeth.
I do okay until I hit a nail/metal/whatever and only ruin one side. Then it takes me several filings to get it evened out again. I can generally use a chain until teeth are breaking off. They usually don;t cut real good in big wood, but still cut good for limbing/bucking smaller stuff.
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
I only do maybe three cutters at a time before I advance the chain .Then again I go left right left while most do all of one side then the other .Everydody has their way and what ever works best for you I say .
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #95
Isn't it amazing when you get those chains that look like they would cut horribly due to uneven cutters yet they cut great, for who knows why??
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
They can get screwed up pretty badly by hitting stuff and once filed out they do surprisingly well uneven lengths or no .
woodworkingboy
TreeHouser
Maybe we should further break it down and talk about about advancing the chain. I like the advance a number of cutters at a time method, often done by taking the file under the bar and sort of pulling it on the back of a cutter to slide the chain. That way I don't have to move my other stabilizing hand. A naturally evolved method. 
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
It would be because the cutters for each side matched their rakers the same. The chain was pulling evenly side to side, it's easier to maintain when the cutters are the same length in the first place.
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
Well yeah it would be in ideal situations but with hitting rocks and steel often it isn't .You're going to get some short ones unless you trim them out all the same but most including myself do not . The shorties you give another stroke on the raker .Half fast but it works .
On chisel you have a little back side relief on the cutter .I'm not exactly certain how much they can be off on a work chain to make that much difference in the overall scheme of things .
On chisel you have a little back side relief on the cutter .I'm not exactly certain how much they can be off on a work chain to make that much difference in the overall scheme of things .
Tucker943
Bamboo Plantation Owner
I don't fuss over making my cutters even. If they stay that way for most of the chain life, great, but otherwise the slightly uneven cutters never give me trouble. Chains and bars are about the only things that don't give me trouble. I've actually never bent a bar to this day, knock on wood.
