Problem sharpening a new chain

   / Problem sharpening a new chain #1  

dodge man

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Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
12,179
Location
West central Illinois
Tractor
JD 2025R
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I use this type of file guide for hand sharpening my chains although mine is Stihl brand. I don’t really want to buy a new system as this normally works fine.

The problem is on a new chain something on the guide hangs up and doesn’t allow me to sharpen the chain with the guide install. Not a big deal I just remove the guide. After I have run a few tanks of fuel on a new chain and sharpened it a few times I can reinstall the guide. What is happening with the guide catching on a new chain? I can’t really see what is hanging up. This is one of those questions I’m more curious of what’s going on than really needing to know.
 
   / Problem sharpening a new chain #2  
Don't know. Have same sharpener but have never used the guide. Can't see what i am doing with it in the way. My chain has guide lines on the teeth so i just eyeball it with those marks.
 
   / Problem sharpening a new chain #3  
Catching the tip of the chisel on the tooth?
 
   / Problem sharpening a new chain #5  
I have a couple theories: Some new chains come with a profile under the cutting edge that does not match the curve of the file, at least not where the guide positions the file. So you're recurving the profile when you file which can be kind of grabby until you've filed a few times and made the teeth match the file. With hand filing you position the file in a slightly different way.

The other theory is that on a new chain the distance between the tip of the cutter and the back of the raker is pretty short. The guide may be keeping the file up a little more than when you hand file, and the file may be hitting the back of the rakers.

When I was young it was easy to see what was happening when I sharpened chains. Now I need reading glasses.
 
   / Problem sharpening a new chain #6  
   / Problem sharpening a new chain
  • Thread Starter
#7  
It’s the correct size file. I think Eric’s theories make sense.
 
   / Problem sharpening a new chain #8  
Can't say I have ever noticed this and I sharpen a lot. Use the same style guide. It's likely based on how the original chain was ground, and the particular shape of the gullet and point. What brand chains are they?
 
   / Problem sharpening a new chain #9  
I think it has to do with the chain companies trying to make their new chains easier for newbies to sharpen. I got a new Oregon chain for my Stihl. It was a purple ***** to sharpen the first few times. I have the sharpener that Dodge Man shows and an Oregon - clamp on the bar type. Both were a real PITA the first couple times. Then something got "ground out" and both work just fine now.
 

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