Sharpening a Chainsaw

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As with all sharp objects, care should be taken when sharpening a chainsaw. Most of these instructions should come with your chainsaw’s operating manual. You will also need to spend some money and buy a rotary grindstone or a rattail file that is the same size of your saw’s chain.

Your sharpening implement comes in different sizes and you must buy the one that matches your chainsaw. For example, chainsaw files or grindstones can come in sizes 3/16, 5/32, or 7/32 inches as measured in diameter.

Once you have measured your chainsaw and bought a sharpening file, clean your chainsaw by using mineral spirits or a degreasing detergent. Don’t pour any cleaning product on the chainsaw’s engine.

Once you have cleaned your chainsaw, discard any damaged or worn out teeth and links. Your next step should be taken seriously as a chainsaw is a sharp object. Clamp your saw onto a solid surface by using a vice. Your saw must not be unstable if your blade is to be safely sharpened.

Next find the shortest cutter on your chainsaw. If your chainsaw has all the same size cutters, you can start on any cutter you want. Your main objective is to cut or file each cutter flat on top making sure that each cut is equal when going by the edge of the cut. You can also mark the first tooth with a permanent marker. Your next step is to set your file using the notch made in the front of the cutter. The curve or angle of your file should fit the angled tooth found in front of the chain link’s flat surface.

The top of the file and the face of the cutting tip need to be flat on top of the tooth. Hold your file at about a 25 degree angle. File each tooth at the same angle starting at one side of the chain and around the loop. You should spin the teeth while you are sharpening your bar. Proceed and reverse sides of the saw and continue filing keeping an equal bite on the cutting edge of your chainsaw.

Finally, be sure to tighten the tension screw on your chain, soak your chain with oil, and check the tension again.


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