Square grinding saw chain

[@WHSTRIPER]

Thank you for making this video.A lot of information in very clean detail.You just have to grind sum chain and learn from your mistakes.Again thank you for taking the time to share your skills

[@bennyblanko3]

Excellent! Thanks for taking the time to share and make this video. You are really good at explaining things.

[@davidgardner3640]

Once again, loggerjohn does the best job of explaining the intricacies of square grinding by using the least amount of ambiguous terminology and paying the most attention to elucidating details of performing the work properly. I wished you could put out more videos, haven't seen an update in about 6 months? Any suggestions where one could buy or what one should buy, machine wise, in order to get started square griding?

[@LGTrees]

Thank you David- been a bit preoccupied with some family health issues. Past that now. Any topics you would like for me to cover?

[@LGTrees]

Madsens or Baileys is the go to place for grinders. My Silvey SDM-4 is no longer made. Simington seems to be the grinder loggers have gone to. I have not used one so I can’t offer any personal feedback.

[@davidgardner3640]

@@LGTrees One of the differences I notice with your presentations with regard to square vs round filing/grinding is that you say that the extra speed some claim with square grinding isn't necessarily that much more relative to round grind, that the real advantage is greater production because you don't have to sharpen so often? However, I see videos where they claim the square grind also cuts much faster than the round cut from the outset, do you think some of this is probably due to data selectivity?

[@LGTrees]

@@davidgardner3640 there are a few variables- how well was each chain sharpened? Are they comparing new ie, right out of the box? Stihl square ground does cut better than Oregon square ground right out of the box, but I don't notice any difference once both have been sharpened a few times. The real test for comparing square to round is to run each for 2 or 3 tanks of gas, each cutting in the same wood conditions- clean hardwood or clean softwood. Then do a time comparison. Because of the slight hook on the side plate of round filed chain, and the 25-30 degree top plate angle as compared to no hook on square ground and a 15 degree top plate angle- the round filed chain looses its working corner much sooner than square ground.

[@johncurrie1789]

Another awesome video. Any chance you could make a video showing how to initially shape your grinding stone?

[@LGTrees]

Will do- what grinder are you using?

[@davidgardner3640]

I have a couple of ideas for potential videos: 1. Maybe it would be possible for you to perform a day of cutting work using round grind chain, followed by a day using square ground chain while keeping all other variables as constant as practical. The results in production volume, or even your level of fatigue, or other pertinent observations attributable to grind types, might help some of us determine whether we want/should invest the time/expense to learn square grinding. 2. demonstrations of techniques to improve efficiencies in production cutting, like what you typically have to do for your wood cutting profession. For example, showing techniques that can reduce fatigue, minimize/avoid unnecessary hazards, etc. It drives me crazy to watch those popular postings showing folks aggressively cutting without gloves, eye or ear protection, all it would take is for a chain to break or come off the bar to ruin a hand or eye! 3. Some information on what types of saws you like and why......do you have any tricks/techniques to keep them in top running order?

[@ianallenw]

Great helpful information! The five degree concept in relation to "porpoising" is pretty cool. Really like the concept of designing the grind to get peened into place and maintain durability after the initial honeymoon is over. I've been trying to get my corner to come in just at the bottom of the tiny roundover that exists on the corner of chisel chain...looks square from a distance, but they all have a micro round corner where the top transitions to the side plate. A few questions: What brand chain seems to grind the best for you without burning/overheating? Do you clean chains before grinding, if so, what is your method. Any tricks to help keep the stone from glazing? Do you ever have issues with the initial dressing of the stone not bringing it into balance? I have a vintage Nielson grinder and I can rarely get the stone to wear evenly...it always gets glazed on a small area of the stone, like only a few inches of the rim is doing all the grinding. Any more ramblings and voodoos on the art of the sacred square grind would be appreciated, haven't found anyone else explaining the subtleties as well as you. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos and share your knowledge. Hope you get a chance to make one on your other techniques/mods for increasing chain speed. The only one I know and sometimes use is tunneling out the rear corner of the tooth with a small round file to let chip flow thru a little easier. Cheers

[@LGTrees]

Ian- I've used Oregon for years 72CK I did try some Stihl and found Stihl square ground is sharper right out of the box but after that, no real difference. I have worked with folks who try to same a dollar by running some other brands. Never found any that match the quality of Oregon or Stihl. I do not clean my chains. I have heard of others doing that. I would think you would need to spray them down with a rust prohibitive after or they would rust up fast if left for any time without using them I often do 10 - 15 at a time. It can be awhile before they get used. I have not had the issue of glazing on the stone. Not really sure what's happening there. I'll put together a video of what I do to get that little extra speed. When that chain melts through the wood....."life is good" Thank you for the comments. Be safe out there!!

[@stihlnz]

For those new to this we are talking about a Simington 451C or Silvey or SDM grinders. Thanks John we all need help with this. Have never seen this type of grinder thanks. If anyone's interested in speed difference between round and square check out Treeson kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2fQoISnrdatmtE

[@LGTrees]

Your welcome- my word of caution when comparing cutting speed. If both round and square filed chains, are freshly sharpened, there is not a big difference in cutting speed. The real advantage starts to show if you compare both chains, in equal cutting conditions, and run 4 or 5 tanks of gas on each chain- then compare speeds. The other advantage of square ground is lower vibration through the handle bars. I made another video explaining the 3 advantages - cutting speed- lower vibration- and cutting speed duration.

[@stihlnz]

@@LGTrees thanks John look forward to future posts