Round file size for Stihl 3/8" chain?

[Hardball]

I want to stop by and get a file for my new Stihl 280.  It came with 3/8" chain and I "think" the manual says 19/64 for the file size, but the Oregon display says 7/32 for 3/8" chain.

I'm at work so I can't RTFM.  Anyone there know the answer?

[incognitive]

13/64" or 5.2 mm is what's called-for.

[Preston]

Hello hardball
I'm pretty sure 7/32 is what your looking for! Its been awhile since I used round file only square chisel sharp my chains! Check out www.madsens1.com They will give you the specs.

[Rocky_J]

Stihl specifies the oddball **/64" size file for their 3/8 chain, but I've never used that size in 20 years of running Stihl 3/8"RS. A 7/32" file works perfectly.

[beenthere]

I picked up a new MS361 today, w/20" bar and 33RS chain which is 3/8" (my son wanted one and I decided we should both have one).

I have been using that same chain on my old 041 (1975 model and still going strong) and like that style.

However, I see that this Stihl site
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/acc_grindfiles.html

says to use 13/64 round file on 3/8, and I have all along been using 7/32, for years.  I will pick up the 13/64 size and see if I like it better, but I have been VERY happy with the 7/32 (maybe dumb but happy  ??? ).  

I usually only hand file after each tank of fuel (or if I touch the dirt!), and seldom in the life of the chain do I have it machine ground (grinds too deep and shortens the life of the chain, IMO).  

P.S.  I see Rocky has the answer too, and I feel more comfortable with the 7/32 now. It does seem to file into the connecting link a bit before the tooth is filed all the way, but I never have had a link break because of it.

[incognitive]

I already gave the correct answer to his question.  As to what works (not his question), well, 7/32 works fine on Stihl chain and 13/64 works fine on Oregon chain.  Whichever one you have is great.  The smaller of the two does work a bit better near near the end of cutter life, so why carry two sizes?

[beenthere]

Yes, you sure did give the correct answer, and I apologize for not noting that (along with Rocky) after I posted. Took me a long time to find an answer I was comfortable with on the Stihl site, because I didn't know for sure I had the right file (7/32) all these years. Glad to get it straightened out in my mind. Thanks for the input. (and I will note the change to a smaller file near the end of the chain life).

[incognitive]

If I was miffed, it was more at the post immediately following mine.  I thought your link was great, beenthere.  I'd have looked it up and posted it myself if I didn't have a hard copy close to hand.

Keep us informed about how you like the MS361 after you've had a couple gallons of fuel through it.  All along until then will be fine, too.

[Engineer]

Correct answers have already been given, but here's my two cents:

I use Oregon chain on a Stihl MS390.  I started out using 7/32" files and moved to 13/64" files as the chain wore down.  I decided to give up the 7/32" files altogether; for some reason, the cut speed seems to be slightly higher with the smaller file size.  Probably a function of the increased angle of the cutter tip to the wood surface.  Anyway, I file after every two tanks of gas, hand file only, using a Stihl filing guide, and never machine sharpen.  Or, if I hit something, I'll sharpen immediately.  I get much more life out of the chain if I don't have them machine sharpened.

[beenthere]

Which Oregon chain do you use?  Does it call for 13/64" file?

I may take your idea and use the 13/64" file (recommended by Stihl for the 3/8 33RS chain) from the beginning and see if I get similar results. I pretty much follow your procedure too.

[Frickman]

I run the Stihl square-tooth, full-skip 3/8" chain. I use a 13/64" file till I'm halfway back and then a 3/16" from then on.

[Engineer]

Don't remember which Oregon chain it is, something I bought from Bailey's.  Round chisel (?) 3/8" pitch, 0.050 gauge.  The Stihl filing guide is stamped with "13/64" for a 3/8" pitch chain, so I started using them and found out it worked better than 7/32".  I have some odd files, too - not Stihl brand, they are something called "Mad Dog" or like that.  Really good, tough files.  Cut well.