Pay attention to the chainsaw debris. If the saw is spitting out dust instead of sharp wood chips then it likely needs sharpening. Similarly, if you find that you need to put more physical effort into cutting through wood, then this is a sign that the teeth on the chain are dull.
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.
When you have to sharpen your chainsaw chain dependent on the quality of the chain and how often you use it. It is good to note the life expectancy of a chainsaw as that determines how often you need to sharpen it. The professionals use grinders to remove the imperfections from the chainsaw so, ensure a grinder is not used regularly to sharpen your chainsaw chain.
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.
how do i know when my chainsaw needs sharpening Related Question:
How do I know if my chainsaw is dull?
Smoke crops up even though the chain lubrication is in working order and the chain tension is correct. The chainsaw runs in one direction causing a crooked cut. This is an indication of dull cutting teeth on one side of the chain or uneven cutting teeth lengths. The chainsaw “rattles” and “bounces” during the cut.
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.
Why does my chainsaw get dull so fast?
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.
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.
How many times can you sharpen a chainsaw chain?
Cutters can be sharpened up to 10 times or more before the chain needs replacing. If your cutters are worn unevenly after a few sharpenings, a professional can regrind them to uniform shape. If you use the same chain for a few years, then buy a new one, the new one won’t mesh smoothly with the sprocket and bar.
How often should you change chainsaw chain?
The chain sprocket must be replaced if the depth of the wear marks reaches about 0.5mm, i.e. the wear limit. A seriously worn chain sprocket can cause the chainsaw chain and guide bar to wear at an increased rate, as well as reducing cutting performance too, so it’s important to keep an eye on.
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.
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.
How long should chainsaw blades 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.
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.
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.
Why does my chainsaw chain smoke?
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 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.
Do chainsaw chains stretch over time?
It’s perfectly normal for a chainsaw chain to stretch after regular use. But, if you allow your chainsaw to become too loose, it can easily come off and pose a dangerous situation for you. A chainsaw chain stretches and loosens from tension and extreme friction.
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.