Chainsaw Sharpener

[Alan Reagan]

I recently picked up a new Stihl MS-661 C-M for cutting big wood and had seen where Stihl had come out with a new sharpener called the 2 in 1 sharpener. It files the depth gauge (rake) at the same time it sharpens the chain tooth. Husky makes one as well but I haven't seen the Husky version nor do I know anyone that owns one. If you do a lot of cutting and want a fast way to sharpen your chain and rake, I recommend you take a look at either of these. Easy to use, doesn't have to clamp on the bar and there are no angles to set. It really does a great job and it keeps the saw throwing chips and not dust.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks Alan

I was in the shop yesterday and seen the saws thinking about all the cutting we do in the better weather parts of the year. I use the Sthil wall mounted grinder before we head out to the field, but your suggestion will be a handy way to clean up the blades while away from the shop. As Mine is not portable.http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/accessories/saw-chain-maintenance/usgchainshrp/

I bought a New Stihl saw last year, I hope you get the same performance form yours as I have had, Stihl is a Great Saw,


BIG

 

[Alan Reagan]

Big,

I have another sharpener but this one is so fast and does such a good job that I'm just going to use it from now on. http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/accessories/filing-tools/2in1file/

I gotta say, the Stihl 661 C-M is a horse with the 36" bar on it. Lot's of torque. Why some guys are porting this saw is beyond me. It runs plenty fast. It's not easy to stand back and just use the end of the bar for bucking logs. It will pull me forward to the log. I've learned to just go ahead and let the saw dogs bite in and let the saw walk thru the log. I can do quick touch ups with the new guide as needed or at lunch, do a good sharpening on the tailgate or in a stump vise.

 

[TFucili]

I was in the power equipment business, and sold hundreds of Stihl saws. Whatever sharpener you utilize, try to get Borazon wheels for it. The difference versus grinding wheels is noticeable. We also made all of our own loops, and found that Stihl chain was demonstrably better than the rest.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big,

I have another sharpener but this one is so fast and does such a good job that I'm just going to use it from now on. http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/accessories/filing-tools/2in1file/

I gotta say, the Stihl 661 C-M is a horse with the 36" bar on it. Lot's of torque. Why some guys are porting this saw is beyond me. It runs plenty fast. It's not easy to stand back and just use the end of the bar for bucking logs. It will pull me forward to the log. I've learned to just go ahead and let the saw dogs bite in and let the saw walk thru the log. I can do quick touch ups with the new guide as needed or at lunch, do a good sharpening on the tailgate or in a stump vise.

Alan

I got what I thought would be WAY TO MUCH SAW for me when we bought the MS 880 with a 42" bar. Our trees up here are pretty good size ones, this saw is heavy but because of the quality of the cut your not holding it all that long. We drop the trees then drag them to a bench that hold trees up to 65' long and will hold around 5 trees side by side, and proceed to cut off 20" rounds, to fit in the wood stove. I use this same saw for that procedure also because of the speed and no BS POWER this motor has. We use the other saws for cutting off the limbs and small stuff near the top of the trees.

I have used Sthil lubes and Blades exclusively on this saw, others that are into the wood cutting business professionally have told me to use other types of Chains & Bars & lubes but Sthil Products work just fine for us. I don't plan on making a change.

Like I mentioned I will pick up one of the sharpeners that you posted about!!

 

[mfurrh55]

We used 2 of the 880s up in New York when hurricane Sandy hit, man they will make haste out of a 36" tree

 

[Alan Reagan]

I use only Stihl chain lube and 2 cycle oil as well. I like the chain lube because I can go with a summer or winter weight. I've been using the 2 cycle oil in my blower, pole saw and other saws for quite some time.

As far as those 880s.......now that's a saw. I am usually huffing and puffing pretty good after going through a tank of gas on the 661. I can't even imagine running an 880. Mfurrh55, I know what you mean about making haste of a 36" tree. My 661 is strong but not that strong. The 661 is between 5 and 6 hp. What does the 880 put out.....about 8 or 9?

I've always worn chaps but a couple of times, I've been in a hurry to make a quick "one and done" cut and didn't put them on. I don't forget with this saw. When I was at the shop last week, a local tree service guy was in and had his leg all bandaged up. He went to make a "last cut for the day" and didn't put on his chaps. When he pulled the saw out of the log he was bucking, it kicked back into his knee and cut into the knee cap pretty deep. It only takes one mistake running saws with this much power and the results can be very severe. The chain brake should have activated when it kicked on him but he said he was standing at a weird angle and he didn't hit the brake with his wrist.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I use only Stihl chain lube and 2 cycle oil as well. I like the chain lube because I can go with a summer or winter weight. I've been using the 2 cycle oil in my blower, pole saw and other saws for quite some time.

As far as those 880s.......now that's a saw. I am usually huffing and puffing pretty good after going through a tank of gas on the 661. I can't even imagine running an 880. Mfurrh55, I know what you mean about making haste of a 36" tree. My 661 is strong but not that strong. The 661 is between 5 and 6 hp. What does the 880 put out.....about 8 or 9?

I've always worn chaps but a couple of times, I've been in a hurry to make a quick "one and done" cut and didn't put them on. I don't forget with this saw. When I was at the shop last week, a local tree service guy was in and had his leg all bandaged up. He went to make a "last cut for the day" and didn't put on his chaps. When he pulled the saw out of the log he was bucking, it kicked back into his knee and cut into the knee cap pretty deep. It only takes one mistake running saws with this much power and the results can be very severe. The chain brake should have activated when it kicked on him but he said he was standing at a weird angle and he didn't hit the brake with his wrist.

I too own Stihl chain saw, pole pruner, and a leaf blower and only use Stihl lubricants and religiously wear chaps when using my chain saw. It takes only a split second to get a very serious leg injury. I can only imagine what running a Stihl 880 would be like...

Alan, Thanks for the tip on the saw sharpener. I'll get one the next time I'm at our Stihl dealer.

Bill

 

[BIGNASTY]

Looked it up on the Sthil website 8.6 HP on the 880

We are mostly cutting Pine so really this is way more than enough saw for that, We do cut Tamarac trees also but it walks thru it just as well as it did the pine.

Come decent weather we are going to take a ride in the Dodge with the Gooseneck trailer to pick up some wood for cooking, Hickory, Apple, Peach it will be interesting to see if it makes a difference.

I never wore the chaps or a helmet when cutting wood. When we picked up this saw part of the deal was they gave those as a part of its promotional package. I like and use the chaps, the helmet with face shield and ear muffs were the biggest surprise its a well thought out piece of safety equipment that wont make you work one handed, most helmets try to fall off your head when you bend over with this set up its stays put!!


BIG

 

[Bill Stockard]

Looked it up on the Sthil website 8.6 HP on the 880

We are mostly cutting Pine so really this is way more than enough saw for that, We do cut Tamarac trees also but it walks thru it just as well as it did the pine.

Come decent weather we are going to take a ride in the Dodge with the Gooseneck trailer to pick up some wood for cooking, Hickory, Apple, Peach it will be interesting to see if it makes a difference.

I never wore the chaps or a helmet when cutting wood. When we picked up this saw part of the deal was they gave those as a part of its promotional package. I like and use the chaps, the helmet with face shield and ear muffs were the biggest surprise its a well thought out piece of safety equipment that wont make you work one handed, most helmets try to fall off your head when you bend over with this set up its stays put!!


BIG

I had my doubts about the helmet with ear protection and the face screen too, but after I got accustomed to it and like you, I found the helmet stays on when bending over, I use it also. The ear muffs do a good job of muffling the sound of the saw engine. I also use the helmet when using my pole pruner to protect my head from falling tree branches.

Bill

 

[jhenderson]

Modern safety equipment is lightweight and very effective. I feel naked without it. I won't even buck firewood in my own back yard without chaps and a hard hat with earmuffs.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I've been trying to find a helmet with screen. They don't sell them around here so I end up with muffs and safety glasses. I am trying to find a helmet. I've been whacked in the face enough by limbs.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I've been trying to find a helmet with screen. They don't sell them around here so I end up with muffs and safety glasses. I am trying to find a helmet. I've been whacked in the face enough by limbs.

Both our local John Deere and Kubota tractor dealers are also Stihl dealers and they both inventory and sell this helmet with a face screen and ear protection and it's what I have used for years.

Bill

 

[BIGNASTY]

Husqvarna also sells a nice looking unit. I do like the screen rather than a shield of plastic NO FOG UP'S and a little cooler

 

[Alan Reagan]

Our local dealers don't carry them. I will check around. I wanted to be able to check it out and I haven't ordered one. I guess the older I get, the more safety conscious I get. The screen would definitely stop the "face slaps" from limbs. Plus, the new saw really throws out some chips and I've choked on a few of those. My older saws didn't throw chips like this new one. Most go down but some to come up when lifting the rear of the saw and cover me with chips. It would be nice to get away from the safety glasses. They tend to start slipping on these hot days. Thanks for the tips and info Bill and Big.

 

[jhenderson]

Go look around at www.baileysonline.com. Some of the younger guys like the new style Rockman. I'm using a husky outfit right now, but it's hard to go wrong with any name brand. The only big name Baileys doesn't carry is Peltor. You could check Madsens.com also. Madsens is more for the pro timber faller but they're happy to deal with the General public and have great customer service.

 

[SheldonBates]

Go look around at www.baileysonline.com. Some of the younger guys like the new style Rockman. I'm using a husky outfit right now, but it's hard to go wrong with any name brand. The only big name Baileys doesn't carry is Peltor. You could check Madsens.com also. Madsens is more for the pro timber faller but they're happy to deal with the General public and have great customer service.

X2 for Madsens.

And Alan, I too say thanks for the heads up about the Stihl 2 in 1 sharpener. I too will get one, especially for field use.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Thanks for the tips on helmets/shields. I think you will like the 2 in 1. It is really doing a good job for me. It doesn't seem like a chore any more to sharpen the saw. Just a minor inconvenience.

 

[TFucili]

The time it takes to attain a properly sharpened chain is soon forgotten when you bury the bar in a tree or log as the chips start flying, and a well tuned Stihl gets "that sound".

 

[BarryG]

Good find and thanks for the info I have not seen those before but will look for one. TFucili you said it. I have some property that is all old growth cedars, junipers and pinyon on it and it is thickly covered (Just out of curiosity I have disked and sanded a few trees here and there and some are over 400 years old). The pinyon was decimated by beetle kill several years ago lost 95% of them. I have literally cut down a couple thousand trees with my stihl 360 pro and probably that many more to go. Having been a saw newby when I started the project I have learned a lot over the years about chains and safety. Keeping a chain sharp is one of the things that I have found makes the biggest difference in how much I get done, safety and how tired I am at the end of the day. So I routinely touch up the chain 2-3 times a day depending on the trees (some are much dirtier than others) when working down there. It is quite obvious when it is really dull but not nearly as much when just a touch up is needed and even that difference is noticeable after the quick touchup. I am sure you have all helped family or friends with their chain sawing needs as I have and they are looking for your "expertise" to fell a tree in a tough spot or something, they have a saw and you go to use it and it is wth is this, have you been digging trenches for the sprinkler pipe with this thing or what might as well break out an axe it would be faster and safer. I totally agree with the hardhat, muffs, face shield, chaps and I wear steel toed boots as well.