dieselcrawler
Elite Member
I'm another one on the 'hand file it myself' bandwagon.
I grew up watching my dad change out dull chains, took them to the hardware store in town who sharpened them for a few bucks each... he had 3 chains, took in 2 at a time. Never saw him use a file. Also never cut fire wood, chain saw use was limited to storm damaged trees that blocked our mile long driveway or edges of hay fields, maybe clearing some brush. Thought everybody took chains to the hardware store to get sharpened.
"You're allowed to do that yourself?!?! No way!"
Later, as an adult, worked with a friend who burned 18 full cords a year heating his business. Guy that ran the saw kept a file in his pocket, no guide, just a knob type handle, touching up his chain 4-5 times a day... between that guy and my father in law, who logged for a living in his younger days, I learned to hand file a chain.
It's not rocket science... I have 2 identical saws... I rarely take the chain off untill it's so far gone the teeth start breaking off. About every time I run out of gas, I'll touch up the chain.
Only mistake I've really made is filing down the raker teeth too far, but I'll chock that up to education expenses.
As to the gizmo in the OP... nope, never tried one. If you do, let us know what you think. Not gonna say I'll never use one, but files are cheap and quick... *grin*
I grew up watching my dad change out dull chains, took them to the hardware store in town who sharpened them for a few bucks each... he had 3 chains, took in 2 at a time. Never saw him use a file. Also never cut fire wood, chain saw use was limited to storm damaged trees that blocked our mile long driveway or edges of hay fields, maybe clearing some brush. Thought everybody took chains to the hardware store to get sharpened.
"You're allowed to do that yourself?!?! No way!"
Later, as an adult, worked with a friend who burned 18 full cords a year heating his business. Guy that ran the saw kept a file in his pocket, no guide, just a knob type handle, touching up his chain 4-5 times a day... between that guy and my father in law, who logged for a living in his younger days, I learned to hand file a chain.
It's not rocket science... I have 2 identical saws... I rarely take the chain off untill it's so far gone the teeth start breaking off. About every time I run out of gas, I'll touch up the chain.
Only mistake I've really made is filing down the raker teeth too far, but I'll chock that up to education expenses.
As to the gizmo in the OP... nope, never tried one. If you do, let us know what you think. Not gonna say I'll never use one, but files are cheap and quick... *grin*