Every chainsaw user should keep knowledge about how to sharpen a chainsaw as dull chain causing injuries.
Sharpening is not a tough job. If you become familiar with it once, it seems easy. Here I’m going to depict some conventional and modern methods of how to sharpen a chainsaw.
How To Sharpen A Chainsaw
If you face slipping and bouncing back during operation, it’s shows that the blade lost its sharpness. If you notice the chain become dull and produces excessive sawdust rather than wood chips.
The first thing you do when determining to sharpen your chain is to identify the chain type that you have.
Keep a simple knowledge of your chainsaw’s parts as it’ll effective in sharpening. Its help you identify the damage and problem site.
Sawing using chainsaw it’s not a heavy duty but if it becomes more forceful and laborious to operate for you, that’s shows it’s the prime time to sharpen your chain.
Otherwise, the dull chain may consume your time and make the cut lengthy.
I’m going to be talking about the basics of saw sharpening what you need to go into it what are the tools how does it work.
1. Sharpen a Chainsaw by Hand with a File
Among the lot of distinct types of chainsaw sharpening tools, the cheapest and fastest method is to use a hand file.
It’s a method that anybody can use at home or otherwise and the bench in the shop and it comes out great if you know what you’re doing. So how to use it,
First, place the saw bar in a vice that holds and stable the bar and doesn’t wiggle around.
Tighten the chain up because you may find it’s very loose on the bar and you won’t be able to sharpen it like that. However, the chain still able to move the chain, but it will not wiggle around.
Make sure that when you clamp it in the vise, you lock the vise on the middle of the bar and not by the edges. Start the sharpening from the upper tip of the bar as it’s the most stable position on the entire bar.
If you inspect the chain saw chain you’ll notice that some teeth are pointing away and some teeth are pointing in the opposite direction towards us.
The teeth that are pointing towards us those are the ones we will sharpen first then we will flip around the chain saw and the vise and get the other teeth so right.
After that, put your file right inside the tooth and you have to go at the same angle that the chains already on. Feed it through there one, two, three and four passes in one direction.
You want to make sure you count how many times you pass the file. Then grab the chain and move it forward until you get to the next link that’s facing in the right direction and what you take that file and once again.
2. Sharpen Chainsaw with a Cordless Drill
Use of the cordless drill makes your task quick and easy. It’s one of the cheapest way to sharpen the dull and ragged edge of a chain. It does a very accurate job of getting the angles.
So how to use it, First, take an electric drill and insert the chain file into the drill’s chunk. Slightly start the drill and make sure it’s rotation well.
Then set up the chainsaw in a vise, mark the starting tooth, and lock the chain bar.
After that, take an accurate position to operate the drill. Place the file exactly parallel to the top of the tooth. It’s important, otherwise the saw will cut in an angle.
Be careful about touching the edge of the sharp cutting knife during operation.
Turn the drill on, make 2-3 strokes back and forth towards the top of the tooth. Rotate the file one by one and sharpen them.
The important things keep in mind that when you use the drill, use it in reverse. Run it counterclockwise in its reverse direction. The combination of those two makes the cutting edge of the file turn against the knife and push forward on it.
If you put any other combination, it doesn’t work properly either the file will fall out or it won’t cut.
Another thing is, it’s better to going along the first inch or inch and a half of the file because it’s easier rather than working out on the end of this thing. Strokes may vary according to the condition of the chain.
Keep ongoing for all the teeth. Just loose the brake, move the chain around a little further, put the brake back on and keep cutting. It takes about two minutes to sharpen this saw.
3. Sharpen Chainsaw with Power Sharp Bar Mounted Sharpener
Bar mounted sharpener is a portable sharpener. You can easily sharpen the chain in a matter of seconds with a simple portable attachment. It incorporates several features that make the system perform the unique top sharp cutter. So how to use it,
First attach your dull chain in the power, sharp guide bar that has twin guide holes that secure the bar mounted sharpener, ensuring perfect alignment between the sharpening stone. Clamp the sharpener to the tip of the guide bar and lock it in.
After that, start the trigger of the saw and push it into this lock. The sharpener bears a crescent-shaped sharpening stone, basically this stone used to make the chain edge sharp.
Within a few seconds, the blades of the chain become sharper than previously. The cutter as it meets the surface of the stone, reducing kickback and allowing even beginners to sharpen their chain with precision.
4. Sharpen Chainsaw with a Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener
Timber line jig is another magnificent tool to sharpen your chain. Little expensive but ideal for the person who really struggles with filing their chain.
The interesting thing that really appeals to you that when you insert the cutter and once you mount this you don’t have to flip it unlike many other sharpener reset everything up.
Safety Tips When to Sharpen a Chainsaw
-Keep eye protection, you may wear protective glasses or goggles.-Use gloves as it may be injurious to deal with sharp edges of the chain.
-Sharp the chain after a while of use.
-Be careful about the machine trigger. Better to push the chain break and keep it fixed.
-Use the sharpening tool with proper guidance and handle the chainsaw according to the manual.
-Do not force the chainsaw file. It could shatter if it applies too much force.
-Check periodically for wear on the drive links, the blade groove, and sprocket. Chains can break and cause serious injury or death when operated with worn or damaged parts.
-The sharpness of a chainsaw of any brand depends on users. Swift and careful use of chainsaw remains the chain smooth and sharp for a long time than rough use.
-Hope this article will help you learn about how to sharpen a chainsaw.