How do you sharpen a chainsaw?

Answer 1

Sharpening the chain correctly not only means you cut well, it is also vitally important for safetly. An improperly sharpened chain can become a safety hazard resulting in kickback etc so it is well worth getting someone who knows what they re doing to show you in practice as its a little hard to explain in words. Or even - go on a short chainsaw course...you learn alot of useful stuff and will feel much more confident about usage and sharpening.

Firstly you must get the right gauge round file for your chain. Each chain has different sharpening needs and most good garden shops will tell you what you need if you take them the chain or the numbers on the chain. Next take the chainbrake off, and put your saw into a vice so that the guide bar is clamped but the chain still can move. You can now begin to run the file along the teeth furthest away from you. Use long strokes away from you at the angles that are correct for your chain. Some chains have a line marked on them indicating the horizontal angle at which to hold the file, but you may need to tilt the file vertically as well. Getting a guide which fits over your file will help hugely, and they are well worth it. You will only need 3 or 4 strokes on each tooth - little and often is the key. you will notice the dull tooth becomes bright and sharp. Also remember where you start - you can do this with a marker pan or if you use stihl chains find the double teeth where the chain joins. It is important to sharpen each tooth the same amount so that your saw will cut straight and true, so do the same number of strokes on each tooth, then turn the saw around and do the other side so that you are always working on teeth furthest away from you. Some people like to use calipers to make sure that every tooth is the same length - this is practical if your in a workshop but not if in the field as it is time consuming. Once all the teeth are sharp you may need to file the rakers down. Use a flat file and again use long strokes away from you. You can also buy metal guides so that you do not take too much off. If you do your saw will lick back at you as it digs too much into the wood.

Thats it! With a bit of practice your chain will cut like new. Wear golves to do any type of saw maintenance. And remember chainsaws are dangerous bits of kit. Wear chainsaw trousers, chainsaw boots, chainsaw gloves and a chainsaw helmet providing ear and eye protection. I've seen and heard of some nasty accidents so these arent just health and safety checkboxes. Good luck!