Of course, you can hire a professional to sharpen your chainsaw, but most DIYers can learn how to sharpen a chainsaw in order to handle the job on their own and save some money in the process. If you’ve noticed that your chainsaw no longer cuts as easily and cleanly as it once did, it’s a good time to learn how to sharpen the chainsaw blade and check for dull or sharpened teeth. If you’re unsure about how to proceed, read on to learn how to sharpen a chainsaw chain and keep the chainsaw blade in good working order.
File Sharpening Using a file to hand sharpen a dull saw chain might seem like a very slow way to go. Bench-Top Sharpeners If you use a chainsaw all year-round or if you own more than one chainsaw, then you can save a significant amount of time and energy by sharpening the saw chains with a bench-mounted sharpener. A bench-top sharpener is certainly the quickest, most accurate way to sharpen a saw chain, but just as importantly it makes it nearly impossible to ruin a saw chain by grinding away too much material.
Since saw chains have cutters that alternate orientation along the chain, you need to use a chainsaw sharpener on all cutters on one side, then swivel the chain holder and tackle those pointing the other way. An electric chainsaw sharpener is ideal for this kind of periodic chain maintenance, though you will need to change the abrasive wheel to an extra-wide version made for this work. No matter how you use a chainsaw sharpener, it makes sense to keep an extra chain or two on hand, sharp and ready to go as you’re working in the forest.
Typically the shortest cutter, or leading cutter, on the chain is the starting point. Now the filing can begin! Put your round file into the notch on the front part of the cutter. Twisting while filing will get rid of the small metal bits and give you a smoother cutting surface.
STIHL Pro Tip Providing you observed these rules you will achieve perfect sharpening results, the correct side plate and top plate angles will be obtained automatically and best possible cutting performance guaranteed. The filing gauge for the next chain pitch up may be used for this purpose. Count the number of file strokes and use the same number on each cutter to obtain cutters of identical length.
how to sharpen chainsaw file Related Question:
How do you sharpen a saw blade with a file?
Simply clamp the saw in a vise, using wood blocks as a backboard to hold the spine of the saw rigid. Then file the teeth until they are of uniform height. Use a double-cut, smooth metal file for the job, clamping it to a piece of scrap in order to keep it square to the saw blade.
What’s the best angle to sharpen a chainsaw chain?
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.
What size file do I need for a 325 chain?
1 dozen of 3/16in (4.8mm) by 8 inch round files for . 325 pitch chain. The superior file for sharpening saw chains is the Swiss-made double-cut file from Oregon.
What angle do you sharpen a STIHL chainsaw?
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.
What tool will you use to sharpen the teeth of a saw?
Sharpening Hand Saws. he teeth of handsaws are sharpened with files. You need a mill file to joint the teeth at the same height, and a three-square (triangular) file to sharpen the edges. Additionally, you’ll need a saw jointer to hold the mill file and a saw set to set (bend) the teeth.
Can Diablo blades be sharpened?
To ensure your Diablo cutting tool continues its high performance standards, please contact one of our approved “Authorized Sharpening Service Centers”.
What is triangle file?
A triangular file is a specialized tool for trimming and sharpening edges. Its unique, three-sided design makes it a great tool for sharpening hard-to-reach places such as saw teeth. With proper care and cleaning, this type of file will last for many years and consistently sharpen and smooth surfaces.
How many different size chainsaw files are there?
Chainsaw File Size As we will see on the graph, the primary file options are 4.0 mm, 4.8 mm, and 5.5 mm. It comes in either a round file or flat file depending on the type of cutter you are planning to sharpen.
How often does a chainsaw chain need to be sharpened?
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.
How do you clean a chainsaw chain before sharpening it?
We soak them for an hour, or overnight in Lye (drain cleaner), purchased in a can, dry powder form at a hardware store. Next, we scrub the chain on a flat surface with hot water, dish soap and a coarse brush. Rinse, pat dry, and sharpen the cutters. The rakers are checked for height and ground down, if necessary.
Which direction do you file a chainsaw?
File the teeth from the inside towards the outside. The easy way to remember the correct direction is that the tip of the file should always point away from the engine. Hold the file at a 90-degree angle to the flat sides of the guide bar. Move the file at a 30-degree angle to the straight line of the chain.
What is the difference between .325 and 3/8 chain?
The . 325 may be smaller and faster, but it may not be your best bet for your everyday needs. The three-eighths-inch chain is durable and lasts longer than its smaller cousin. This makes it one of the more popular switches for chainsaw users who want to get more out of their saw.
How do I know what pitch my chainsaw chain is?
To determine the pitch (chain size), you’ll need to measure the distance between any three consecutive rivets, then divide the result by 2. The rivets are the small, round pegs/studs that hold the chain segments together. Measure from the first to the third, then divide that number in half to get your chain pitch.
Will a 3/8 chain fit a .325 bar?
You can replace a 3/8 Oregon PowerMatch nose with a . 325 PowerMatch nose on any length of Oregon PowerMatch bar you want. Then when you use up the . 325 chain just put the 3/8 nose and rim sprocket back on.
Do you flip the bar on a chainsaw?
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.