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