MS 261, MS 261 C
English
50
N Hold the file horizontally (at a right 
angle to the side of the guide bar) 
and file according to the angles 
marked on the file holder. Rest the 
file holder on the top plate and depth 
gauge.
N Always file from the inside to the 
outside of the cutter.
N The file only sharpens on the 
forward stroke – lift the file off the 
cutter on the backstroke.
N Avoid touching the tie straps and 
drive links with the file.
N Rotate the file at regular intervals 
while filing to avoid one-sided wear.
N Use a piece of hardwood to remove 
burrs from the cutting edge.
N Check angles with the filing gauge.
All cutters must be the same length.
If the cutters are not the same length, 
they will have different heights. This 
makes the chain run roughly and can 
cause it to break.
N Find the shortest cutter and then file 
all other cutters back to the same 
length. It is best to have this work 
done in the workshop on an electric 
grinder.
Depth gauge setting
The depth gauge determines the height 
at which the cutter enters the wood and 
thus the thickness of the chip removed.
a Specified distance or setting 
between depth gauge and cutting 
edge.
This setting may be increased by 
0.2 mm (0.008") for cutting softwood in 
the mild weather season – no frost.
Lowering depth gauges
The depth gauge setting is reduced 
when the chain is sharpened.
N Use a filing gauge to check the 
setting every time you sharpen the 
chain.
N Place a filing gauge (1) that 
matches the chain pitch on the 
chain and press it against the cutter 
– if the depth gauge projects from 
the filing gauge, the depth gauge 
has to be lowered.
N File down the depth gauge until it is 
level with the filing gauge.
Chain pitch Depth gauge
setting (a)
inch (mm) mm (inch)
1/4 (6,35) 0,65 (0.026)
3/8 P (9,32) 0,65 (0.026)
0.325 (8,25) 0,65 (0.026)
3/8 (9,32) 0,65 (0.026)
0.404 (10,26) 0,80 (0.031)