Author Topic: 5/32 or 7/32 file  (Read 2269 times)

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Offline wild262

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Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
« Reply #10 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?

Offline 660magnum

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Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2016, 10:35:41 pm »
Yes, You have to watch your file height relative to the tooth position
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Offline wild262

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Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
« Reply #12 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 :-[

Offline 660magnum

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Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
« Reply #13 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.
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Offline SawTroll

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Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2016, 03:49:10 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".

Offline SawTroll

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Re: 5/32 or 7/32 file
« Reply #15 on: March 21, 2016, 04:01:37 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.

 

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