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<p class=MsoNormal>Hi Everyone!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Just a note on a couple things…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The first video session went great this week at the Rugged
Quarter of Bill and Juli Fyfe near Trussville, AL. The weather cooperated and
we completed the introduction and the initial on the RDT program. Rob
Lagerstrom is an amazing director/producer. The first eVideo DVD’s we
promised should be ready to go by Mid-March thanks to TruSouth Oil for handling
the mailing. Not only good products but also great people make a project come
together.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On a sad note, the industry lost one of the Best. A friend
and business connection over the years.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Bob Buzzard passed away last Saturday the 13<sup>th</sup>.
Bob, and before him his father, were pioneers dedicated in getting Stihl chain
saws into operators hands in the south and owned SC Stihl. Bob was always a
strong promoter of PPE development, training and was a safety products manager
at Husqvarna. He was working currently with Woods Manufacturing. He will be
missed. His funeral is today in SC. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his
family and friends!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Check out the article below on Raker’s….<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Good Sawing,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Tim Ard<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Forest Applications Training, Inc.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Phone: 770.222.2511<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>http://www.forestapps.com <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>We have an eStore for items discussed in our
programs... <a href="http://www.forestapps.com/e-book/eStore.htm"
target="_blank">eStore</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=513 height=86 id="Picture_x0020_3"
src="cid:image001.png@01CAB08D.94A8D3D0"
alt="cid:image002.png@01CAADC6.42F36E20"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Raker’s<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>By Tim Ard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Ah, those little guys on the
front of the saw chain tooth. With only a little swipe of the file, I can make
this chain saw really cut!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Some call them Rakers, some
call them Drags, others, like I do, refer to them as Depth Gauges. Whatever you
technically want to call them. Some people abuse them, some confuse them, and
some just don’t realize how they work and what they do for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I often hear, "they are
to be left alone". "Don’t mess with them." Others say to,
"take them down first thing on a new chain." Most common exchange of
thought is, "you really don’t have to do anything with them. They
will wear down as you use the chain."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>In answer, first I would
recommend… if you don’t understand them leave them alone but, take
them and the rest of the chain, to a professional shop for sharpening and depth
gauge settings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>You have to adjust them. Look
at the chain tooth. The top plate area, as you file it back, goes downward
toward the end of the top plate. As you file the cutting surface of the tooth
back, the depth gauge will grow. Maybe not grow, but stick up past the tooth
point. The results, you will either have to set them properly or you will have
to apply so much pressure to the saw to get it to cut, it will be dangerous for
the saw, saw chain, guide bar and You. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Taking the depth gauges down
on a new chain or at any point of the chain life, below manufacturer’s
specs is not a good idea. Check the specifications on your saw chain and make
sure you use proper tools to maintain the settings as close as possible. With
hand tools it’s hard to keep everything perfect, but dropping them too
much below design can mean a lot of grabbing, chatter and possibly loss of
control.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Well, finally the last
statement is somewhat true. They will possibly wear down a little on their own
in abrasive conditions. Nevertheless, under normal cutting of wood, not rocks,
etc., the hardened surface of the depth gauge is not likely to wear very much.
At least not wear to the tune of an exact thousands of an inch. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Proper Depth Gauge checks and
adjustments during the filing/sharpening process are as important as having
two-cycle oil in your fuel mix. You can cause a lot of damage taking them for
granted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:red'>PFERD Chain Sharps still on sale
at our eStore. And this weekend only… download the eBook for $9.99!
<a href="http://www.forestapps.com/e-book/eStore.htm" target="_blank">eStore</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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