Is this the right chain for me?
- Thread starter Dmitry
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Whitenuckler
Feeling the Heat
That is only 1/64 smaller, so given that you are manually sharpening, there is a lot of error anyway. I would say it would work OK.
Assuming that it's the right gauge and pitch for to match the bar on your chainsaw (and the pitch on your drive sprocket) it will work OK. 5.2mm (13/64") is a Stihl thing. Just about every other chain manufacturer recommends 7/32" (5.5mm) for their 3/8" pitch chains.
From the sharpening tool they are recommending, it appears you are using Husqvarna's Xcut chain. That is some really good chain.
Substituting the slightly smaller in the Stihl 2-in-1 sharpener (which is basically a relabeled Pferd Chainsharp CSX) will work. That style of sharpening guide works by locating the file in relation to the top of the tooth. The 2-in-1 will position the 13/64" file correctly to get the right tooth profile for the chain for that size file. I would not attempt to put a 7/32" (5.5mm) file into a Stihl 2-in-1 sharpening guide designed for 13/64" (5.2mm). For most users, the vrition in their sharpenig technique from one sharpening to another will likely be greter than the difference between sharpening properly with either a 7/32" or a 13/64" file.
If you are using the style of sharpener they recommend (The Husqvarna roller file guide for Husqvarna's C83/85 chain), you should stick with the file size recommended for tht sharpener. while it's simple enough to lay a different sized file across the rollers, this guide locates the file by referencing up from the base of the tooth. Putting in a smaller file will chnge the shape of the hook on the tooth. It will cut, and may cut well for a time, but tht hook will be bit more fragile than the proper, intended tooth profile. (The effect would be most noticeable on full chisel chain... less so on semi chisel.)
Husqvarna makes two different roller file guides for 3/8 Pitch chain. one for their "regular" chain (which in the US is just relabled Oregon chain) and one for their X-Cut chain (C83 or C85 made by Husqvarna). People regularly use one type of guide on he other type of chain and get acceptable results. However, the 3/8" pitch Xcut chain is an improvement over their older style chain. Among other things, they have made some changes to the geometry of the cutting tooth. To get the best performance out of it, use the matching file guide.
FYI: Just my opinion, and I'm sure others will differ, but in my experience, when properly used, the Husqvarna roller file guides do a superior job of sharpening as compared to a Stihl 2-in-1 when matched to the appropriate type of chain. When each is properly used, the difference is not huge, but it is noticeable. However, the Stihl 2-in-1 is certainly a faster way of hand sharpening, and it addresses the problem that may home users tend to ignore the need for dressing the depth gauges on the chain. The 2-in-1 does this automatically with every sharpening.
I could go into more detail on the differences in the sharpening techniques, but this ppost is already getting too long, and I have to get on to other things at the moment.
From the sharpening tool they are recommending, it appears you are using Husqvarna's Xcut chain. That is some really good chain.
Substituting the slightly smaller in the Stihl 2-in-1 sharpener (which is basically a relabeled Pferd Chainsharp CSX) will work. That style of sharpening guide works by locating the file in relation to the top of the tooth. The 2-in-1 will position the 13/64" file correctly to get the right tooth profile for the chain for that size file. I would not attempt to put a 7/32" (5.5mm) file into a Stihl 2-in-1 sharpening guide designed for 13/64" (5.2mm). For most users, the vrition in their sharpenig technique from one sharpening to another will likely be greter than the difference between sharpening properly with either a 7/32" or a 13/64" file.
If you are using the style of sharpener they recommend (The Husqvarna roller file guide for Husqvarna's C83/85 chain), you should stick with the file size recommended for tht sharpener. while it's simple enough to lay a different sized file across the rollers, this guide locates the file by referencing up from the base of the tooth. Putting in a smaller file will chnge the shape of the hook on the tooth. It will cut, and may cut well for a time, but tht hook will be bit more fragile than the proper, intended tooth profile. (The effect would be most noticeable on full chisel chain... less so on semi chisel.)
Husqvarna makes two different roller file guides for 3/8 Pitch chain. one for their "regular" chain (which in the US is just relabled Oregon chain) and one for their X-Cut chain (C83 or C85 made by Husqvarna). People regularly use one type of guide on he other type of chain and get acceptable results. However, the 3/8" pitch Xcut chain is an improvement over their older style chain. Among other things, they have made some changes to the geometry of the cutting tooth. To get the best performance out of it, use the matching file guide.
FYI: Just my opinion, and I'm sure others will differ, but in my experience, when properly used, the Husqvarna roller file guides do a superior job of sharpening as compared to a Stihl 2-in-1 when matched to the appropriate type of chain. When each is properly used, the difference is not huge, but it is noticeable. However, the Stihl 2-in-1 is certainly a faster way of hand sharpening, and it addresses the problem that may home users tend to ignore the need for dressing the depth gauges on the chain. The 2-in-1 does this automatically with every sharpening.
I could go into more detail on the differences in the sharpening techniques, but this ppost is already getting too long, and I have to get on to other things at the moment.
