Sharpening Gear for Craftsman Saw

[WarmGuy]

I'm ready to get what I need to sharpen the chain on my new saw. I figure I need a round file, file guide, and a raker gauge. Believe it or not, there is no info in the owner's manual about file sizes or angles; it just says to buy the file sharpening kit at sears. I may do that, or might buy something online. If the latter, is there anyway to figure out the file size, angle (it's not stamped on the cutters), and depth? I tried calling the number on the manual, but no help there. Anyone know what these are for my chain??

The chainsaw is a 358.360831 with an 18 inch bar, and it has the chain that came with it (used only once so far).

Looking online, I see stuff like this:

(broken link removed)

(broken link removed)

(broken link removed)

http://www.jackssmallengines.com/chaintoolfile.cfm

Comments?

Thanks!

 

[WarmGuy]

More information...

The chain is stamped with "Oregon" and there's a "91" stamped on the drive part of the links. It could be a "16" but if "up" is the same as the word "Oregon" then it is a 91.

Also, in the case, there's a place for a file, and it's labelled "5/32".

 

[Jay H]

More information...

The chain is stamped with "Oregon" and there's a "91" stamped on the drive part of the links. It could be a "16" but if "up" is the same as the word "Oregon" then it is a 91.

Also, in the case, there's a place for a file, and it's labelled "5/32".

Sounds like my Makita, which has an Oregon 91VG sawchain and uses a 5/32" file would be the same as a 4mm round file... and if you believe a newbie like me, that is also a low profile chain, otherwise it would use a 7/32" file..

Jay

 

[Jay H]

Wow, nobody else responded... Just let me say that I'm fairly certain of my reply but I'm no expert and I'm surprised none of the more experienced regulars replied. Anyway, I have called Sears for help on a circular saw problem I was having and they were completely useless. If you wanted to order a part and knew the number, then they could tell you to go to the nearest Sears parts store but they were no help with the actual tools they sell.

Anyway, I have two filing kits with my Oregon 91VG chain, a Oregon file kit with the 5/32 aka 4mm round file and handle and guide bar and I also have a Husky 3/8" Mini (aka Low Profile) kit with a 5/32" round file, a file gauge that appears to be set to 30deg which is correct for my Oregon chain (i.e. I can use it on the Oregon chain too, not just the Husky brand), a special depth gauge which I think is set to the correct .025 depth even though it is simply stamped "3/8" and it has a file handle that I have yet to figure out how to use! Oregon sells a separate filing kit for the depth and it comes with a depth gauge that does say .025" on it and also a flat file and a handle... but the Husky kit has all of them together..



Jay

 

[carpniels]

Hi Warmguy,

Take you saw to a dealer (any brand) and show it to them and tell them you need a set of files for it. They will know all the different chains and sell you what you need. Better yet, get a spare chain so you will always have one available.

If you don't know, ask the experts.

Carpniels

 

[WarmGuy]

Thanks for the help. I will take it into a dealer, but in the meantime I found this page on Oregon's web site. All the 91s use a 5/32 and 30 degrees, so even if I can't be sure its a VG I know what to get.

(broken link removed)

It would be nice if they stamped the full model number somewhere on the chain.

 

[Gooserider]

It is a reasonably safe bet that the chain that Oregon will spec for the saw will be the same that's on it as OEM if it comes with an Oregon chain. Oregon has a pretty thorough application guide, so I'd try to find your saw, see what they call out for it, and then look up the specs on that chain (which will probably be the VG chain, which IMHO does not cut very well even when new... It seems they went all out to make that chain "safe" at the expense of it's ability to cut)

Gooserider

 

[Jay H]

It is a reasonably safe bet that the chain that Oregon will spec for the saw will be the same that's on it as OEM if it comes with an Oregon chain. Oregon has a pretty thorough application guide, so I'd try to find your saw, see what they call out for it, and then look up the specs on that chain (which will probably be the VG chain, which IMHO does not cut very well even when new... It seems they went all out to make that chain "safe" at the expense of it's ability to cut)

Gooserider

The only thing that I can see on Oregon's website with the 91VX and the 91VG is the lack of this bumper in between the raker/cutter links on the VX, this bumper I would surmise would be the anti-kickback feature of the VG as I guess it provides less gap for the raker to hit and kickback on... You could look on your chain and look for the absense of the bumper as Oregon's website shows:

(broken link removed)

(I think that link is misnamed... the picture that does come up does indicate 91VX on it).

Then you can determine if it's a VX or a VG..

Jay