Use and Care Manual

42
SAW CHAIN
Who should perform square filing?
Most chain saw users will probably never need to use square saw chain,
nor learn to perform square filing. But in areas where the timber is
larger and the guide bars used are longer, the performance advantages
of square saw chain can outweigh the fact that square filing is more
difficult and much less forgiving of filing errors.
File Positioning
The file will sharpen the top plate, and the side plate, simultaneously.
This creates a line, (A), where the top-plate cutting angle meets the
side-plate angle. For best results, file so that the line intersects the
cutting corner (B).
Correctly
Filed Corner
Incorrect
TOO HIGH
Incorrect
TOO LOW
To properly sharpen the cutter, use the correct filing position, as shown
here from three different points of view:
25
Side View End View Top View
File Direction
OREGON® recommends that square
saw chain be filed from the outside in
(in a downward direction). This leaves
a better edge on the chromed cutting
surfaces and makes it easier to keep the
file’s position, and the resulting cutting
edges, in correct alignment as shown in the preceding File Positioning
section. However, filing from the outside in will wear out your file faster.
Some square saw chain users may prefer to file from the inside out
(in an upward direction). You should be aware that inside-out filing is
much more difficult.
A
B
Saw Chain Maintenance – Square Filing