I have been unable to find a ripping chain for my chain saw (70 drive links, pitch .325" LP, gauge 0.043") and the chain saw distributor confirmed there are none available.
However, they have suggested that I take a regular (i.e. crosscut) chain that is normally filed at 30-35° and file it at 10° to provide the ripping function.
Does that sound like a sound advice? Will a regular chain filed at 10° indeed become a ripping chain?
This is indeed how it was done before anyone made ripping chains, so if you can't get a ripping chain in your area, filing at 5-10° (chisel-tooth) will give a basic ripping chain.
You may also want to drop the guides (the part that limits how much tooth gets into the wood, just in front of the actual tooth on the link) a bit for more cutting depth. It will probably need to be adjusted somewhat just due to the amount of tooth you'll lose going from 30-35° to 5-10°
Both of these may be done more consistently if you have access to a jigged chain grinder. Hand filing can certainly be done, but a grinder is usually better at getting all the teeth exactly the same. Especially with a major geometry change.
Be aware that this makes the chain more dangerous in terms of kickback (a limited concern if used only in a chainsaw mill, but if you are freehanding you need to know your risks so you can manage them.)
