just got my chain back from being sharpened.....

[CobyRupert]

Is OP sure he got his chain back?

I was under the impression that you don’t have to file all the teeth to match the shortest one. All teeth don’t have to be equal length (or height) you just want them to be “biting” an equal amount.
To get this, the consistency that’s important is a consistent angle the teeth are sharpened at, and a consistent raker height to tooth height gap.
True or false?

 

[Motorboatin]

just got my chain back from being sharpened, and the teeth are nearly ground to the limit!
This was a new chain and was just starting to show signs it needed sharpening. normally, I just pull out the dremal and touch it up. Because I'm dropping trees, I didn't want it to cut in a curve.

I took it to a local shop that has been in the biz for decades. Is this common? any comments?

Very common

My local Stihl dealer is huge. They have all the Stihl products on their floor and they sell a lot of them. One the guys told me you get only one sharpening on a chain when I was buying files and another guy told me a full skip chain was useless on a 36" bar. I smiled and told him to order the full skip

 

[Skeans1]

Is OP sure he got his chain back?

I was under the impression that you don’t have to file all the teeth to match the shortest one. All teeth don’t have to be equal length (or height) you just want them to be “biting” an equal amount.
To get this, the consistency that’s important is a consistent angle the teeth are sharpened at, and a consistent raker height to tooth height gap.
True or false?

False try a harvester that has inconsistent tooth length or let go of the saw head well putting in a face you’ll feel the difference. If off side to side you’ll see the pull as well.

 

[Skeans1]

I am fortunate to live in an area where logging is an industry and only "good" saw shops survive. One place is Madsen's supply in Centralia Washington. Below is a page they have on their web site that describes various issues in the industry dealing with chainsaws and chains.

Guide Bar & Saw Chain Menu

Love Madsens been doing business with them since they were in the old shop.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Is OP sure he got his chain back?

I was under the impression that you don’t have to file all the teeth to match the shortest one. All teeth don’t have to be equal length (or height) you just want them to be “biting” an equal amount.
To get this, the consistency that’s important is a consistent angle the teeth are sharpened at, and a consistent raker height to tooth height gap.
True or false?

false

 

[shooterdon]

My buddy had a shop sharpen his chain. What a mess. Rakers had not been touched so if would not cut. I used my Pferd sharpener on it and we were back in business. It may not be the best way to sharpen but is good enough for a hack like me.

I have read what the "experts" say about the HF unit and you guys must be spewing BS if you think it works.....LOL. You need at least a $500 grinder to do it right. BTW, I am planning to get one too....but I don't plan on wearing a face mask for Thanksgiving either.

 

[Skeans1]

My buddy had a shop sharpen his chain. What a mess. Rakers had not been touched so if would not cut. I used my Pferd sharpener on it and we were back in business. It may not be the best way to sharpen but is good enough for a hack like me.

I have read what the "experts" say about the HF unit and you guys must be spewing BS if you think it works.....LOL. You need at least a $500 grinder to do it right. BTW, I am planning to get one too....but I don't plan on wearing a face mask for Thanksgiving either.

500 for a grinder? Man didn’t know a Tecomec Super Jolly Oregon 610 was 500. Now for a square grinder yes they’ll be much more but there’s more going on.

 

[5030]

It's common, shops butcher them all the time.

Exactly. The more they remove the quicker you need to buy a new loop.... from them of course.

 

[mcfarmall]

I had the local Stihl dealer sharpen a chain for me...once. They didn't grind down the depth gauges and the chain wouldn't cut anything. I use the $35 Stihl sharpening guide that has all the files in it and takes the depth gauges down a few thousandths every time I sharpen. Best money I ever spent.

 

[4570Man]

I only grind the rakers ever 2-3 times I sharpen the chain.