WARNING: The saw chain is very sharp, always wear protective
gloves when performing maintenance to the chain.
TOP PLATE FILING ANGLE (Fig. 15)
Correct 30 degrees – File holders are marked with guide marks to
align file properly to produce top plate angle.
Less than 30 degrees – for cross cutting.
More than 30 degrees – feathered edge dulls quickly.
CORRECT TOP PLATE
INCORRECT TOP PLATE FILING
FILING ANGLE
LESS THAN
SIDE PLATE ANGLE (Fig. 16)
Correct – 80 degrees produced automatically if correct diameter file is
used in file holder.
Hook – "Grabs" and dulls quickly. Increases potential of kickback.
Results from using a file with a diameter too small or file held too low.
Backward Slope – Needs too much feed pressure, causes
excessive wear to bar and chain. Results from using a file with a
diameter too large, or file held too high.
CORRECT SIDE
INCORRECT SIDE PLATE
PLATE FILING
ANGLE
HOOK
DEPTH GAUGE CLEARANCE (Fig. 17)
The depth gauge should be maintained at a clearance of .025 in. (0.6
mm). Use a depth gauge tool for checking the depth gauge
clearances.
Every time the chain is filed, check the depth gauge clearance.
CHAIN TENSION AND MAINTENANCE
FIG.15
ANGL
MORE THAN
30°
30°
FIG.16
FILING ANGL
BACKWARD
SLOPE
Use a flat file and a depth gauge jointer to lower all gauges uniformly.
Depth gauge jointers are available in .020 in. to .035 in. (0.5 mm to
0.9 mm). Use a .025 in. (0.6 mm) depth gauge jointer. After lowering
each depth gauge, restore original shape by rounding the front. Be
careful not to damage adjoining drive links with the edge of the file.
Depth gauges must be adjusted with the flat file in the same direction
the adjoining cutter was filed with the round file. Use care not to
contact cutter face with flat file when adjusting depth gauges.
FIG.17
RAKER CLEARANCE
.025 in. (0.6mm)
DEPTH GAUGE JOINTER
9
FLAT FILE
RESTORE ORIGIINAL
SHAPE BY ROUNDING
THE FRONT