XTo sharpen a dull chainsaw, clamp the bar of the chainsaw to your work station and tighten the chain using the tension adjusting screw to make sure it won’t move. Use a permanent marker to draw a line on the link where you’re going to start filing, and get a specialty chainsaw file that’s the same diameter as the chainsaw teeth. To file, hold the file between the teeth at a 30 degree angle, and slide it across the face of the cutter 3-10 times until it is sharp.
New chains can get expensive, but fortunately, you can sharpen your own chainsaw with just a couple of simple, low-cost tools. It is important to sharpen your chainsaw because a dull chainsaw forces you to press harder on the saw, a dangerous move. Examine the Chain Before sharpening the chain, first remove it from the chainsaw and examine all parts of it.
Of course, STIHL Approved Dealers will always be happy to sharpen a chainsaw chain for you and if the chain is damaged at all, then replacing the chain or the damaged cutting teeth, is the best course of action, so again, just pop into your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer. It’s really important to make sure the depth gauge is filed too, as it is the difference between the height of the cutting teeth and the depth gauge which determines how much wood is taken out by the chain. If you are working with a battery or electric chainsaw, make sure you remove the battery or unplug it before sharpening so it can’t be accidentally started, then release the chain brake so you can move the chain freely.
how to properly sharpen a chainsaw Related Question:
What angle should a chainsaw chain be sharpened at?
Always file at right angles to the guide rail. The right sharpening angle depends on the saw chain and the wood that you want to cut. The sharpening angle will generally be between 25° and 35° – the harder the wood, the greater the angle.
Why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly?
Dirt Causes A Chainsaw To Dull If you’re cutting through logs and your angle of approach is too steep, a simple cut through could nick dirt or even worse, rocks on the floor causing your chainsaw to jerk, thus dulling.
How often should you sharpen your chainsaw?
A chainsaw may only need to be sharpened once a year if it is rarely used, but a tool that is frequently used will need to be sharpened regularly to ensure that the blade doesn’t get too dull. On average, a chainsaw blade will retain its sharpness for about 3 hours of actively cutting through wood.
Is it worth sharpening a chainsaw chain?
Sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worth it as a sharp chainsaw chain is easier to work with. It takes less effort to cut through wood and your chain will make cleaner cuts with sharp blades. A chainsaw chain can be sharpened multiple times without much of a cost.
When should you throw away a chainsaw chain?
The chainsaw pulls in one direction, which results in a crooked finish. Blunt cutting teeth on one side or uneven teeth lengths usually cause this. The teeth has hit rocks or dirt and broken. If you notice the tops of the teeth are missing you will need to replace the chain.
Is it hard to sharpen a chainsaw?
The good news is that unlike most other power-cutting tools, you can sharpen a chainsaw to like-new condition in just a few minutes. Here’s telltale sign that your chainsaw needs sharpening. Examine the wood being expelled by the saw. A sharp chainsaw sprays out thin shavings.
How often should you flip the bar on your chainsaw?
Some professional loggers would advocate that you should flip your chainsaw bar at the end of every use, particularly when you are cleaning up. Others suggest a more relaxed approach advising that you flip the chainsaw bar only when you are changing your chainsaw blade.
Why do loggers run upside down bars?
Every chainsaw bar has been designed to be mounted right-side up or upside down. The reason for this is that it allows the user to extend the life of his chainsaw bar by 50%. Flipping the bar will give the heavily-used areas some relief from wear and tear.
Does wet wood dull a chainsaw?
Does Cutting Wet Wood Dull a Chainsaw? Using your chainsaw to cut through wet wood will not dull the chain any faster than using it for other types of wood. When you think about it, your chainsaw chain is already wet. True, it is not wet with water.
How much does it cost to sharpen chainsaw chain?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR YOU TO SHARPEN MY CHAIN PROFESSIONALLY? If you bring the chain into our shop off your saw, our average chain sharpening price ranges from $13- $16.00, depending on the number of cutters. We are happy to remove and re fit your chain to your saw for a small additional fee.
Why is my chainsaw bar smoking?
This most commonly is a result of a dull chain and exerting to much pressure on the bar and chain trying to make the chain saw cut. This could also be either a lack of bar and chain oil ( tank empty, restricted oiler hole ) or an inferior type of oil that is being slung off the chain and not lubricating.
Is it better to sharpen chainsaw chain or buy new?
Sharpen before replacing If your chainsaw chain becomes dull after a long lifespan, it will struggle to cut through the wood at the efficiency it once had. This is why, where possible, you should be looking to keep the will be chain sharp, as sharpening a better course of action than sourcing a replacement.
What angle should I sharpen my Stihl chainsaw chain?
STIHL saw chains are generally filed to an angle of 30° – parallel to the service mark for the filing angle. Hold the file so that one quarter of its diameter projects above the top plate.
How long does a chainsaw last?
That being said, you can expect a quality chainsaw to last you at least 10 years or more. But if you take care of it, I know people who have saws that have lasted 20-30 years and even longer.
What do you do with an old chainsaw?
Gas and oil can be disposed of at a household hazardous waste collection site for free. Remove non-metal parts and place in the trash. Metal parts can be recycled as scrap metal.