Chainsaw Repair

For you guys that just have to have this. Stihl FG2 Filing Tool

Seen folks reselling them for $225 here in the states. I think with exchange and shipping that will be close to cost?

Appears to take paypal too.




OUR PRICE: £113.90 Inc. VAT  and shipping

I reached out to a number of sellers in UK several months ago - none would ship to US.  Might be the same STIHL local sales thing?  I did see some on German eBay recently, if you sprechen Sie Deutsch, or if they speak English.   Otherwise, keep track of friends that are traveling overseas.

I did acquire a used one recently, and am playing with it a little bit.  Got any tips for using it?

Philbert

Here is a copy of the manual for anyone interested:  http://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent/CMSFileLibrary/instructionmanuals/FG2_Manual.pdf

I have not used mine yet.  But it appears that you reverse the entire, clamp/vise mechanism on the base (held with wing nut), reverse the file in the holder, and re-set the angle.  This is different than the Granberg type filing jigs, where the file frame can be rotated 360 degrees.  I am replacing the file holding screws on my new-to-me one with thumb screws, so that I don't have to use a screwdriver to do this.

Philbert

A lot of people compare these to the Granberg type filing jigs, which makes sense.  I did not realize how much larger and heftier the FG2 is until I saw it in person.  I took this photo to try and illustrate the difference.

- The STIHL FG2 on the top weighs 5 pounds, 14 ounces, including the base (not shown) and a file;
- A older style Granberg File-N-Joint in the middle (there have been many variations);
- The current model File-N-Joint on the bottom weighs just 15 ounces with a file.

Each of them will sharpen a chain with precise angles and consistent results if correctly used.  One advantage of the STIHL guide is that it is bench mounted, which makes filing off of the saw easier.  I have used the File-N-Jont on spare bars held in a bench vise to do this, but it has to be set up each time.  Some people find mounting and setting up the Granberg type jigs to be the hardest part of using them.  Since the FG2 uses a vise, no mounting is needed.  The size of the components also adds to rigidity.

Th big advantages of the Granberg type jigs include: portability (some guys take them into the field); and cost ($25 on sale or used, compared to $200 + for the STIHL guide).

Philbert

Good find