Shindaiwa 502s - Manual (Page 17)

17
Saw Chain Performance
Using the appropriate round file, sharpen 1.
all cutters to a 25° angle as shown.
After all cutters are sharpened, use
2.
a depth gauge joiner to measure the
height of each depth gauge.
CHN-19
CHN-18
Using a filing
gauge
Using a depth
gauge joiner
Using a flat file to
round the front
corner on a depth
gauge
25°
IMPORTANT!
File all cutters to the same angle and
depth! Unequal filing may cause the saw
to vibrate or cut erratically!
NOTE:
For consistent filing angles, use a filing
guide.
IMPORTANT!
Most of the actual cutting is done by the
sides and corners of the individual cutters!
Your saw’s performance on the job
depends heavily on the condition of its
saw chain.
How the Saw Chain Works
As the saw chain is pulled through the wood:
The depth gauge setting determines 1.
the depth of cut for each cutter.
The cutter’s leading edge enters the
2.
wood, causing the entire cutter to “rock
back” and lift away from the bar.
CHN-09
1 2 3 4
Sharpening Technique
The top plate peels the severed wood 3.
chip away.
The chip is discharged out the rear of
4.
the cutter.
As required, use a flat file to lower 3.
depth gauges to the appropriate .025”
(0.64 mm) height.
After all depth gauges have been
4.
adjusted, use a flat file to round each
depth gauge leading edge to original
curvature and angle.
50°
CS_top plate angle greater than
originally titled CHN-07
20°
CS_top plate angle less than
CHN-05 CHN-04
CHN-03
CHN-02
A B A=B
0.025"
CHN-01
Correct Filing Technique
Filing Problems
Top plate
angle less than
recommended
Backslope on
side plate cut-
ting edge
Top plate angle
more than
recommended Hook in side
plate cutting
edge Cause
File held at less than recom-
mended angle.
Result
Slow cutting. Requires extra
effort to cut.
Remedy
File cutters to recommended
angle. Cause
File held too low or the file
was too small.
Result
Rough cutting. Chain grabs.
Cutters dull quickly or won’t
hold a cutting edge.
Remedy
Check file size. File cutters to
recommended angle.
Cause
File held too high or the file
was too large.
Result
Cutters won’t feed into wood.
Slow cutting. Must force chain
to cut. Causes excessive bot-
tom wear.
Remedy
File cutters at recommended
angle. Check file size.
Cause
File held at more than recom-
mended angle.
Result
Cutting angle is very sharp but
will dull fast. Cutting action
rough and erratic.
Remedy
File cutters to recommended
angle.
Low depth
gauge High depth
gauge Cause
Wrong gauge setting or no
gauge used.
Result
Rough cutting. Chain grabs.
Saw won’t pull chain through
wood. Excessive wear on the
cutter heel.
Remedy
If depth gauges are too
low, the chain is no longer
serviceable.
Cause
Depth gauge never filed.
Result
Slow cutting. Must force chain
to cut. Will cause excessive
wear on the cutter heel.
Remedy
Lower gauges to recommend-
ed setting.
0.025” (0.64 mm)
CHN-08
Correct angle
on top plate
Slightly protruding hook or point
(curve on non-chisel chain)
Top of depth gauge at correct
height below top plate
Front of depth
gauge rounded
Keep all cutter lengths equal!