Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Poulan => Topic started by: jcsmith on March 08, 2016, 09:10:58 pm

Title: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: jcsmith on March 08, 2016, 09:10:58 pm: I have a Craftsman 3.7 , ( Poulan 3700 ). Got it used, came with a 7/32" file and guide, original 18" banana bar. Put a 20" Oregon bar and chain on it, literature said use a 7/32 file. It is 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge. Today I found a manual for it on SearsParts Direct. Reading thru it, it says to use a 5/32" file.
I have another small Craftsman/ Poulan with Lo Pro 3/8" chain ,.050 guage and it uses a 5/32" file, So what is the proper file to use on the D70 Oregon chain on the 3.7?

Chris
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: 660magnum on March 08, 2016, 09:37:32 pm: .440 chain uses a 7/32" file
Regular 3/8" chain uses 7/32" file but the Stihl book calls for 13/64" file on regular 3/8 pitch RS/RM chains but I just use 7/32" file on them.
.325" uses 3/16" file
3/8" low pro or pico uses 5/32" file
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: jcsmith on March 08, 2016, 11:42:48 pm: 660Magnum, thanks for clearing that up. I've been using 7/32" file since I got the saw, so I was surprised when I read 5/32" in the Sears manual.

Chris
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: 660magnum on March 08, 2016, 11:54:18 pm: +1
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: jcsmith on March 09, 2016, 12:58:22 pm: 660Magnum, I finished reading the Sears manual. The 5/32 file was recommended for the Power Sharp version. oops. I have the non PS version and it recommended a 3/16 file.
I have the original banana bar and chain and the chain seems to be heftier than the newer chains. I'm still mastering the art of hand filing. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has a hard time keeping the left and right cutters even.
In the accessories section I noticed a chain (76LP-66) that does call for a 7/32 file. So are there more/less aggressive chains that would use a different file while the pitch and gauge stay the same? Or am I over thinking this?

Chris
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: 660magnum on March 09, 2016, 03:55:51 pm: The Powersharp is a different animal from regular chains

I just use files like in my previous post.
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: Cut4fun . on March 09, 2016, 03:59:25 pm: You mean 76LG? Not a 7/32 file either.

Oregon 76 chain http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/chain/oregon-72lg-and-76lg/
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: jcsmith on March 10, 2016, 12:55:36 am: I just reread the manual for my saw, 358.354830 on SearsPartsDirect and it did say 76LP under accessories. It said requires 7/32 file. What is the difference between 76LP and 76LG? I checked out the 76 chain thread also. I have alot to learn about chain.
Thanks for the responses fellas.

Chris
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: 660magnum on March 10, 2016, 01:43:02 am: Some of those chains are out of production now?
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: jcsmith on March 10, 2016, 09:23:57 am: That explains it. Appreciate the info. Guess I have some reading to do on chains and filing.

Chris
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: wild262 on March 13, 2016, 09:57:55 pm: Strange thing happened to me the other day. I decided to cut awhile on the many treetops in my timber from logging last fall, and grabbed the wrong file for my saw which has a H30 .325 pitch chain. Instead of a 3/16, I had got a 7/32. So I decided to touch it up anyway. Could not believe the difference it made on the sharpness! Much better. The chain is better than half gone as well. Anybody had a similar experience?
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: 660magnum on March 13, 2016, 10:35:41 pm: Yes, You have to watch your file height relative to the tooth position
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: wild262 on March 14, 2016, 03:47:20 pm: Maybe I'm not contacting the top of the cutter when I file with the 3/16th file, due to position, is that what your saying? With the 7/32 file I was. Maybe that's why my chain was sharper. I was filing free handed without my Husky guide. In a hurry that day. Thanks for your wisdom 660 Magnum. Never to old to learn :-[
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: 660magnum on March 14, 2016, 05:19:55 pm: What you said in your earlier post has been said before. I'm sure you were full contact with both files but with the bigger file the angle underneath the cutter is sharper. It is a old softwood trick.
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: SawTroll on March 21, 2016, 03:49:10 pm: Quote from: 660magnum on March 08, 2016, 09:37:32 pm
.404 chain uses a 7/32" file
Regular 3/8" chain uses 7/32" file but the Stihl book calls for 13/64" file on regular 3/8 pitch RS/RM chains but I just use 7/32" file on them.
.325" uses 3/16" file
3/8" low pro or pico uses 5/32" file

Some 3/8" chains need a 3/16" file, and some .325 ones a 11/64" (4.5 mm) file. I also agree with Stihl about the 13/64" file on RS/RM etc in 3/8".
Title: Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
Post by: SawTroll on March 21, 2016, 04:01:37 pm: Quote from: wild262 on March 13, 2016, 09:57:55 pm
Strange thing happened to me the other day. I decided to cut awhile on the many treetops in my timber from logging last fall, and grabbed the wrong file for my saw which has a H30 .325 pitch chain. Instead of a 3/16, I had got a 7/32. So I decided to touch it up anyway. Could not believe the difference it made on the sharpness! Much better. The chain is better than half gone as well. Anybody had a similar experience?

Sounds like you didn't hold the correct file at the right height, mainly filing into the gullet. The too large file likely was forced into a more correct positon by the bottom of the gullet. With that file there won't be enough hook on the cutter, so it is far from ideal, even if it by accident was an improvement in this case.

You should use the correct file, and hold it high enough that 20% of the diameter is over the top plate of the cutter.