Sharpening A Full Chisle Chain

[Ralphie Boy]

I’m of the understanding that a full chisel chain requires a different type of file and is sharpened differently than a other types of chains. Is this correct And how about a semi-chisle chain

 

[JustWood]

No
No
and
No
Same round file. Different size chains require different size files though.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

That's what I thought; but somewhere out there I watched something that showed using a couple of different type of file shapes as well a a flat file for the rakers. If I can find it again I'll post the link.

 

[JustWood]

You probably saw a "square" file . Those can be used on chisel chain also. The technique for that file is a little harder to master IMHO.

 

[TreePointer]

I know of some file guides (Carlton File-O-Plate) that are different for semi- vs. full-chisel cutters, but the round file is the same for a given pitch, as LEE mentioned.

 

[HDRock]

Maybe you saw a square tooth , square grind ,chain being sharpened,
see, (broken link removed to http://www.madsens1.com/bnc_teeth_types.htm)

 

[bogydave]

I’m of the understanding that a full chisel chain requires a different type of file and is sharpened differently than a other types of chains. Is this correct And how about a semi-chisle chain

No
No
and
No
Same round file. Different size chains require different size files though.

+1

 

[StihlHead]

Full chisel can be filed round or square. As stated above, square filing is a lot harder to do, and it also dulls a LOT faster.

Basic rule of thumb:

square filed full chisel chains are 10% faster than...
round filed full chisel chains, which are 10% faster than...
round filed semi-chisel chains.

Generally you want to run full chisel chins in clean wood, as they will dull faster than semi chisel chain (which, while they cut slower, also dull slower, especially in crud). Square filed full chisel chain has really thin points where the chain chisels into the wood. Round filing these chains makes the chisel points stronger and more durable.

Similar issue with chain grinding angles; bigger angles are sharper and cut faster, but they also dull faster.

 

[HDRock]

Are a semi chisel chain, and a safety/low pro chain two different things ??

 

[MasterMech]

Are a semi chisel chain, and a safety/low pro chain two different things ??

Yessir.

There be green label semi chisel chains, green label full chisel chains, green label low-profile semi chisel chain, green label low-profile full chisel chain, yellow labels of all the above as well.

FWIW: Most green-label chain is of the semi-chisel type. Stihl's RSC3 being the most common exception.

 

[HDRock]

Yessir.

There be green label semi chisel chains, green label full chisel chains, green label low-profile semi chisel chain, green label low-profile full chisel chain, yellow labels of all the above as well.

FWIW: Most green-label chain is of the semi-chisel type. Stihl's RSC3 being the most common exception.

OK , I'm a little more clear now

 

[HDRock]

Full chisel=square tooth, semi chisel round, low pro has extra rakers/depth stop, right ?????

 

[MasterMech]

Full chisel=square tooth, semi chisel round, low pro has extra rakers/depth stop, right ?????

Low-pro doesn't necessary have anti-kickback stuff on it. Low-Pro is chain that is designed to run on smaller saws. It shares the same number of drive links per given length that regular 3/8" chain has but that's about it.

We refer to the chain with all the "extra" junk on it as "green-label" or "safety" chain.

 

[HDRock]

Low-pro doesn't necessary have anti-kickback stuff on it. Low-Pro is chain that is designed to run on smaller saws. It shares the same number of drive links per given length that regular 3/8" chain has but that's about it.

We refer to the chain with all the "extra" junk on it as "gree-label" or "safety" chain.

Found this thread also Dumb question about chainsaw chains. I think I got It now

 

[StihlHead]

Are a semi chisel chain, and a safety/low pro chain two different things ??

Actually they are three different things: semi-chisel, safety, and low profile (AKA, Picco) are all different aspects of chain that may or may not be found on a loop. Safety chains have less kickback, and hence less grab in the wood. As a result, they do not cut as well or as fast as non-safety chains do. Safety chains may or may not have the high raker guard links between the cutter links. The design of the cutters and rakers alone may make a chain a safety type, and it may be full or semi-chisel, and it may be low profile, standard 3/8, or .325 chain.

To show the safety type on Stihl chains, there are either green and yellow colored master links on a chain. Green is safety, yellow is non safety. There are similar colored marks on the base of any new Stihl bar as well, with either yellow or green colored spots. Generally wider nose bars (with larger nose sprockets) are more apt to grab more wood, so they have more kickback and are yellow, or non-safety bars. Smaller nose bars have less grab at the tip and are prone to less kickback, so thy are considered safety bars and have green marks.

Clear as mud?

 

[Boog]

Every day it becomes oh so much clearer!

 

[MasterMech]

Every day it becomes oh so much clearer!

Until your mind becomes a sea of part #'s, chain types, sharpening methods, operating technique, safety protocol, troubleshooting tricks, and doh! moments. Then you seek some poor unsuspecting internet community to unleash the whole mess upon.

 

[Boog]

Until your mind becomes a sea of part #'s, chain types, sharpening methods, operating technique, safety protocol, troubleshooting tricks, and doh! moments. Then you seek some poor unsuspecting internet community to unleash the whole mess upon.

Yeah, but we love you for it, you can always come home after a long day on the job to us, we're here waiting for you. Well, I suppose you have to spend some time with that pretty wife and kid! But not too much now, don't loose sight of your priority !

 

[HDRock]

Until your mind becomes a sea of part #'s, chain types, sharpening methods, operating technique, safety protocol, troubleshooting tricks, and doh! moments.

That's exactly whats happening to mind, and-
- Today I go get a couple of 7/32 files, thinking I am going to use these files in the guide that came with the 5/32 kit I bought but, as I"m touching up a chain with the guide and a 5/32 file, I see it says right on the guide 5/32, so IDK
The guide I have is Oregon File Guide and 5/32 in. File
Do I need a different guide for the 7/32 files

 

[TreePointer]

Do I need a different guide for the 7/32 files

Yes. There is a different file guide for each pitch.

 

[HDRock]

Yes. There is a different file guide for each pitch.

OK, Thanks
the depth gauge for the rakers is the same though , correct ??

 

[StihlHead]

There are many types of Oregon file guides out there. The guide type dictates what files can be used in them. The kind I use is an Oregon Pro file guide. They are a bar mount file guide and they take any size file and will sharpen chain to any angle or offset. Here is what they look like:


I also have a mini electric grinder stone type with 5/32 and 7/32 stones for touching up a chain between file sharpening. They look like this, and there are 12V DC battery types and plug in 110V AC electric types:


Then there are the mini dedicated file guides that I do not use myself, that only take one file size. They look like this:



Then there is the Oregon raker file guide for using with a small flat file that looks like this:

 

[StihlHead]

For Stihl 3/8 std chain, I use three files: I start with 7/32 when the chains are new, then use a 13/64 when they are 2/3 used, then I use 3/16 when they are toward the end of use. The cutters on Stihl chains are tapered in height and I learned this filing trick from a Stihl/Husky saw shop owner who was a logger for many years.

Oh yah, and here is a graphic showing cutters and sharpening style for semi and full chisel chain, the first two are round filed semi and full chisel, the last is square filed full chisel:

 

[HDRock]

There are many types of Oregon file guides out there. The guide type dictates what files can be used in them. The kind I use is an Oregon Pro file guide. They are a bar mount file guide and they take any size file and will sharpen chain to any angle or offset. Here is what they look like:

View attachment 83699
I also have a mini electric grinder stone type with 5/32 and 7/32 stones for touching up a chain between file sharpening. They look like this, and there are 12V DC battery types and plug in 110V AC electric types:

View attachment 83700
Then there are the mini dedicated file guides that I do not use myself, that only take one file size. They look like this:

View attachment 83701

Then there is the Oregon raker file guide for using with a small flat file that looks like this:

View attachment 83702

The last 2 pics are what I have for the low pro chains,W 5/32 files , but now I need 7/32 file guide, like that for a full chisel chain

 

[HDRock]

Looking at these two chains 72LGX072G and 72LPX072G , here (broken link removed to http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/lookups/selguide.aspx?BusId=OCS&SellReg=USA&LangId=ENG)
In the detail I cant really tell if the teeth are round or square, and it doesn't say if they are full or semi chisel.
Husky ,61, 20"chain, 3/8, .050, pro Only