Chainsaw chains are sharpened with special files. While some professional loggers use square files like the ones to sharpen knives, almost all other chainsaw owners use round files for sharpening. There are three common sizes of chainsaw files: 5/32, 3/16 and 7/32. Select the correct size for your chain.
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.
I’ll explain how to sharpen a chainsaw chain in detail while guiding you every step of the way. Chainsaw chains don’t last forever, no matter how much you may sharpen them. The trick for how to sharpen a chainsaw chain and when to stop is about 10 sharpening sessions.
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.
Sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worth it as a sharp chainsaw chain is easier to work with. A chainsaw chain can be sharpened up to 10 times, sometimes more, before the entire chain needs replacing. Most tool places will sharpen the chain for less than $30. If you bring your chainsaw into Canberra Diamond Blade, we can sharpen your chainsaw chain for the affordable price of $15. This is highly dependent on the number of cutters.
do you sharpen a chainsaw blade Related Question:
Is sharpening a chainsaw blade worth it?
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.
Why does my chainsaw blade dull so quickly?
Is the wood that you’re cutting with the chainsaw particularly dirty? Many chainsaw enthusiasts have noted that their blades dull faster when they’re cutting muddy wood. If the logs that you’re cutting up are muddy, then perhaps that is the sole reason why your blade is dulling too fast.
What does a dull chainsaw blade look like?
When cross cutting (against the grain of the wood) a dull chainsaw chain creates fine sawdust instead of coarse strands. The saw is producing smoke even when your chain is oiled and the chain tension is correct. The chainsaw produces an uneven cut. This could mean that your chain has dull cutting teeth on one side.
How much does it cost to have a chainsaw sharpened?
The cost to have a chainsaw sharpened ranges from $13 to $16. The average cost per chainsaw sharpening is $14.50 for people who choose to have their chainsaws professionally sharpened.
How often should chainsaw 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 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.
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.
Why does my chainsaw cut curves?
Two main reasons will cause the chain to cut on a curve. The most common reason is from improper hand filing. If one side of the teeth is more heavily damaged, sharpening them down will make them smaller than the other side.
Why is my chainsaw blade smoking and not cutting?
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.
Why does my chainsaw burn the wood?
Your chainsaw burns wood because of poor lubrication Lubrication allows the mechanical parts to coordinate much better by avoiding a phenomenon of friction which risks causing traces of burns. This is one of the main reasons that your appliance gives off too much heat and that the wood burns.
How do you tell when a chainsaw chain is worn out?
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.
How long should a chainsaw blade last?
The lifetime of a chainsaw chain has no fixed limit and depends on usage and maintenance. The chain should last many years; 5-6 years should be no problem. However, if the chainsaw chain is used properly and taken care of, it can last way longer.
What chainsaw chains do professional loggers use?
Full-chisel teeth chains are usually used by professionals on large saws. Semi-chisel teeth are rounded, so the risk of kickback is less, and they stay sharper longer. Semi-chisel teeth cut slower but are a better choice in dirty wood than full chisel.
When should I replace chainsaw chain?
Once the wear markers have been met it’s essential to replace the chainsaw chain. Filing past the wear marker will greatly reduce the chain’s cutting performance, and increases the risk of the tooth breaking off. Ideally you should reach the tooth and depth gauge markers at roughly about the same time.
Why does my Poulan chainsaw dies when I give it gas?
The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is often caused by leaving fuel in the chainsaw for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the chainsaw engine to stall.