Thread: Ripping fence posts

I recently got a gizmo from Lucas - Carlton File-o-plate it's a pretty cool bit of kit (sawchain also recommended the use of it to me a while ago) especially useful for such things like cutting back the rakers as it has two different 'settings' to allow two different depth of raker clearance

Thanks everyone, I am now full of ideas. Will let you know how I get on.

For optimum cutting speed, the best raker depths depends on what you are cutting and the power of the driving motor and engine. As the cutters wear the raker depths should be increased proportionately according to the gullet width of the cutters.

What really cuts efficiently is not a constant raker depth but a constant raker angle. The angle is that between the line joining the tops of the cutters, and the line between the cutter tip and the top of the raker.

Most new standard 3/8 chain has a gullet width of 0.25" and a raker depth of 0.025" or a gradient of 1:10. For softer woods and more powerful engines/motors this gradient can be increased to say 1:8 or 1:7

As the cutter wears, to maintain this gradient you have to take more off the raker than just dropping it 0.025" below the cutter. When the Gullet is 0.45" the raker needs to be 0.045: below the cutter (this is more than 1 mm or 0.039"). If a 1:7 gradient is used, at a 0.5" gullet width on 404 chain the raker should be 0.5/7 or 0.071" or nearly 2 mm! I know it seems disconcerting to do this but it really does work.

As said be fore the carlton flloplate does this automatically but most other raker depth gauges do not. If you stick with the 0.025" all the way thru the life of the chain you will just end up making a lot of dust. This is in the interest of the CS and CS chain companies since it convinces bunny operators to throw their chains out prematurely.

Originally Posted by Sigidi

I recently got a gizmo from Lucas - Carlton File-o-plate it's a pretty cool bit of kit (sawchain also recommended the use of it to me a while ago) especially useful for such things like cutting back the rakers as it has two different 'settings' to allow two different depth of raker clearance

Got one of these with the slabbing jig but for the life of me can not work out how to use it, but have also heard that it doesn't work on skip chain!!

I have to admit my first opportunity to use it - I misplaced it and haven't actually 'used' it yet, it seems a cool concept though and how Dudley and Ian showed me the way to use it, there was no problem with skip chain?

I'll probably have a day seeing to my chain tomorrow, so I'll let you know how I go...

Thanks everyone for your help. I managed to get time the other day and ripped out 25 8' posts in no time. Carl, thanks especially for the advice on grinding off every second set of cutters. It did seem to help. 1 question though, I ground the cutters so there was 2 on 2 off, but I have read elsewhere that you sometimes leave a odd number on, like 3 on then 2 off. Is this just a different way of doing it or is it to stop the chain snaking when slabbing? Also looking for a chainsaw mill on a rail if anyone want's to get rid of one.

Thanks again
Mark.

removing an odd number of cutters produce a streighter cut. so removing 1 or 3 it dosent matter mutch with ripping posts as you bladw is almost parralel with teh log.

Originally Posted by Softbreeze

..............1 question though, I ground the cutters so there was 2 on 2 off, but I have read elsewhere that you sometimes leave a odd number on, like 3 on then 2 off. I..................

I think what you are referring to is the end result is better if the links go right left then the next pair go left right, right left, left right if you get what i mean.

You still have the same number on each side but the leading cutter swaps from side to side.

To get this you leave 2 then remove 1, 3 or 5, then leave 2 then remove 1, 3, or 5. I hope this explains it.

Cheers

Don't think you'll rip too many yellow box posts between sharpens with chisel chain - semi chisel would be a safer bet or chipper if you can get it.