How do you sharpen a Chainsaw?

If you use your chainsaw on a regular basis you know how important it is to keep it sharp and if you do use it often, maybe it's a good idea to learn to sharpen it yourself. Although they only charge $10-20 to sharpen a chainsaw professionally, if you need to do it often, it would be wise to learn to sharpen it yourself. Here are the steps required to sharpen a chainsaw on yourself.

Find Out What Size of Chain Your Chainsaw Has
Each chainsaw has a different type of chain with different sized blades. Once you find that out, purchase a chainsaw file otherwise known as a rattail file that is sized specifically for your chainsaw.

Clean the Chain
Before you begin to sharpen the chainsaw, make sure that you have cleaned the chain and it's free from dirt, sawdust, oil and debris. You should purchase a degreasing cleaner to clean the chain.

Look For Damage
Before you starting sharpening, look for damaged teeth or teeth that look overly worn. Over time and with use these teeth will wear out and instead of sharpening, you should just buy a new chain.

Place the Chainsaw Bar in a Vise or Clamp
Make sure the chainsaw is securely fastened to a vise or clamp and will not move.

Find the Shortest Cutter
Once you have found the shortest cutter tooth, start by filing the angled tooth. If you have purchased the right file, it will fit the curve of the blade perfectly. The file should end up being flush with the tooth. Make sure to make a mark to indicate where you have started so that you don't end up doing it two times.

File At The Same Angle
Once you figure out where you should be filing (it will be quite obvious since that's where the file will fit), make sure to file on the same angle, which is about 25 degrees. When filing, file across the face and twist the file slightly. You can either push the file or pull it toward yourself.

Work Your Way Around the Chain
Sharpen each tooth the same way and if you made a mark, you will know exactly where to stop.

Once Done, Turn Around
If you notice, you have been sharpening only the cutter that is facing you, there are cutting teeth on the other side as well. Turn the chainsaw around and secure it again and file the teeth that go in the opposite direction, making sure to mark were you started once again.

Oil The Chain
When finished sharpening, make sure to oil the chain thoroughly as this newly exposed steel will rust. Also, check the tension once again and adjust if necessary.

Now that you know how to sharpen your own chainsaw, give it a try. With a little practice and patience you will be able to sharpen a chainsaw just like a pro. This can be a handy skill to learn so that you don't have to rely on someone else when you need your saw sharpened.

Are you shopping for a chainsaw sharpener? Here is a selection for your consideration.

Tags: Chainsaw Maintenance, Chainsaw Safety, Chainsaw Sharpening, Chainsaws

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