Chainsaw sharpening

[CP]

Is it worth the time and effort to sharpen chains or should they just be replaced?

[headshot5]

I sharpen all my own chains.  It's really easy and you get a lot out of one chain.   Another option is to check if your local shop will sharpen chains for you.  Then you buy 5 or 6 sets of chains and use them all and when all are dull swing into the local shop and have them sharpen them. 

Don't just throw them out when they get dull. 

[fishngamereaper]

Unless your made of money..I get about 6-8 cords of wood from a good chain. Keep it sharp, it lasts longer.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I take mine to the feed store and have them do it. I will not spend the time to sharpen myself with a hand file. I have about 5 to 7 rotating chains I use.

[rtspring]

Buy the best chains ! Touch them up frequently, dont wait until they get dull.  And dont even think about hitting dirt!!

Chains last a long time if you take care of them. 

[boneaddict]

Sharpen sharpen sharpen.  It only takes a few minutes and saves you plenty

[PlateauNDN]

Sharpen periodically, maybe not after each use, but maybe every other. The sawyers we had on our fire crew sharpened daily and some even would sharpen during breaks. Sharper the better.

[boneaddict]

When cutting line, you are cutting like a beast with a swamper helping you and 18 guys digging behind you.   You don't have time to stop and sharpen.  We'd carry a spare to swap out, especially while cutting sage of all things.  Dirty dirty stuff.  Everypne pauses for a break, you take out a file and take a swipe.   I cant tell you how much wood one chain would cut if you don't rock it.

[Humptulips]

It's really easy to file a chain. Get yourself a round file the correct size and use the mark on the back of the tooth as a guide. If you are using a chain that is a little dull you will kick yourself for not filing before. After you have filed a number of times it will seem like the chain isn't cutting much better. Time to get a flat file and touch up the rakers. Not too much or it will kick.
Got yourself a chiselbit chain. You can still file it round with the same files.

[boneaddict]

Note he said..."Not too much "   that's very important

[Netminder01]

Oh man - such a timely post!

I was cutting all weekend with a semi-new saw but never have sharpened anything but a knives and a few tools. I was cutting this weekend and tried looking on YouTube via my phone with crappy reception. I powered through it but could tell the difference in how it cut near the end... making it four truck loads of rounds with no sharpening. The hand tool I got didn't really make sense to me.

Any recommended tools for the average guy - or even good instructional videos?

[pianoman9701]

Do you use a rat tail file? I cut some really dirty logs in elk camp last year and I think it dulled the chain a bit.

[pianoman9701]

I'm going to find out on YouTube. God, the internet is amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sharpening+a+chain+saw+chain

[T Pearce]

Started chain sharpening with a dremmel tool and have gagiated to just a saw file. Usually found on the same shelf as the bars and chains.

[Netminder01]

I'm going to find out on YouTube. God, the internet is amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sharpening+a+chain+saw+chain

Do you mean the thing I invented?

[b23]

Worked on a landing one summer when I was in my late teens.  I learned really fast how important it was to keep your saw sharp,  out of the dirt and especially away from rocks.  I've always been a fan of skip tooth chains but everyone has their preference.

Keep it out of the dirt and rocks and all you need to do is give each tooth a few quick passes with a round file.  No need to take the chain off your saw, either.  If you have a stump you can use just stick the dogs into the top at an angle and lean over the top of your saw and give each tooth a few passes with a round file.  Follow the contour of the cutting edge and apply light pressure.  Your file is harder than the chain so let the file do the work for you.  For new guys, the trick is applying the same amount of pressure going both directions.  Depending on if you are right or left handed, at first you'll find it easier going one direction versus the other but again, try really hard to apply the same amount of pressure going both directions.  Depending on your skill level with a saw, it's probably best if you leave the rakes alone.

It's actually pretty easy to sharpen a chain and only takes a few minutes to do.  Keep them sharp, away from dirt and rocks, and a chain will last a really long time.

[whacker1]

I have extra chains and swap them out when they get dull.  I pay the saw shop to sharpen them, as I can' t seem to put an even file on a chain.  I always get one side sharper than the other, which sucks on big wood. 

I have been sharpening chains for 20 years and never could get good enough to get right and left even.  It is worth the extra peso's on long bar and chain to have it done at the saw shop.  At least that is the way I feel.

I used to have 7 extra chains for a 32 inch bar, but I am down to about 5 as they are all getting worn down to the point of disposal.  Buy a few extra chains up front and they last forever with infrequent sharpenings. 

[logger]

One of the things I do to keep it even on both sides is the side that I am uncomfortable with gets a couple extra strokes.

[elk247]

Oh man - such a timely post!

I was cutting all weekend with a semi-new saw but never have sharpened anything but a knives and a few tools. I was cutting this weekend and tried looking on YouTube via my phone with crappy reception. I powered through it but could tell the difference in how it cut near the end... making it four truck loads of rounds with no sharpening. The hand tool I got didn't really make sense to me.

Any recommended tools for the average guy - or even good instructional videos?

Take the same amount off every tooth. Keeping the chain sharp is only half the battle, if you have a straight/evenly sharpend chain with the correct raker depth you will spend most your energy lifting the saw away from the log instead of pushing the saw into the cut. (Hope that makes sense, don't know how to word it) what do you mean by tools? Do you have files, (flat and round) skwrench, (sp.) Maybe a raker gauge,  a pickeroon helps with small firewood. Service the air filter often.

[runningboard]

When cutting line, you are cutting like a beast with a swamper helping you and 18 guys digging behind you.   You don't have time to stop and sharpen.  We'd carry a spare to swap out, especially while cutting sage of all things.  Dirty dirty stuff.  Everyone pauses for a break, you take out a file and take a swipe.   I cant tell you how much wood one chain would cut if you don't rock it.

that's why when I was on a hotshot team I would carry a semi-chisel or even a skiptooth chipper chain as my spare for cutting sage brush, if you hit dirt or an unseen rock, a chipper will still cut okay, whereas a chisel bit will need to be touched up. nothing cuts big wood like a properly sharpened chisel bit though.
on a side note, as long as you take the rakers down evenly as the tooth gets shorter you can take it all to the very back of the tooth before tossing it.

[b23]

Take the same amount off every tooth. Keeping the chain sharp is only half the battle, if you have a straight/evenly sharpend chain with the correct raker depth you will spend most your energy lifting the saw away from the log instead of pushing the saw into the cut. (Hope that makes sense, don't know how to word it).
[/quote]

I think, what you're trying to explain is how if everything is "right" with your chain, it will pull itself through the wood.  Which is exactly what happens when things are done right.  You shouldn't really ever have to push it through a cut, the saw should do the work, not you.

[lokidog]

If you have acess to Harbor Freight, buy their cheap electric sharpener.  I used to use a file and did an OK job, but this thing is way faster and much easier, just can't easily do it in the field.  Just bring an extra chain and a file to do a quick touch up if you zing the dirt or a rock.

Here is a link, it is currently on sale and you can always find a 20% off coupon so it would only be $32

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-chain-saw-sharpener-68221-8346.html

[gunrinwa]

If you have acess to Harbor Freight, buy their cheap electric sharpener.  I used to use a file and did an OK job, but this thing is way faster and much easier, just can't easily do it in the field.  Just bring an extra chain and a file to do a quick touch up if you zing the dirt or a rock.

Here is a link, it is currently on sale and you can always find a 20% off coupon so it would only be $32

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-chain-saw-sharpener-68221-8346.html

This is what I have. Easy to use and keeps em sharp.

[HntnFsh]

Do you use a rat tail file? I cut some really dirty logs in elk camp last year and I think it dulled the chain a bit.

No its a chain file. You have to get the right size for your chain.

[lokidog]

I have a coupon for the Harbor Freight sharpener that I can send to someone.  It is for $29.99, no additional discounts may be taken, unless you can fenagle (sp?) them into letting you do an additional 20% coupon.  First PM with an address and I will drop it in the mail.  The coupon is good until Jan 16th.

[WoodlandShooter]

wow..I am actually suprised there is a thread like this...


I always thought that the ability to sharpen a chain saw was standard issue knowlege...

[Jingles]

if you are going to sharpen your own chains and haven't done it before BE SURE to sharpen both sides of the chain equally otherwise you'll end up cutting in circles so to speak

[Kittman]

If you have acess to Harbor Freight, buy their cheap electric sharpener.  I used to use a file and did an OK job, but this thing is way faster and much easier, just can't easily do it in the field.  Just bring an extra chain and a file to do a quick touch up if you zing the dirt or a rock.

Here is a link, it is currently on sale and you can always find a 20% off coupon so it would only be $32

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-chain-saw-sharpener-68221-8346.html

I was looking at getting this HFT chain sharpener for myself.  One of the things with most of the Oregon chains I have been using is the rakers are a bent over stamping and it is nearly impossible to file to file them down with a hand file.  So after a couple of sharpenings in the field these chains become worthless.  Does this unit have a method to take and grind the rakers down?

[JJB11B]

Tag. Gonna have a few beers and sharpen a couple chains after work.

[kevinlisa06]

Been sharpening chains for over 20 years and to a newb it is difficult just take your time and sharpen equally.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[timberfaller]

If you can't afford a real chain grinder, HERE is the best item for the weekend wood cutter!!

http://www.amazon.com/Granberg-Bar-Mount-Chain-Sharpener-G-106B/dp/B0002ZY1WG/ref=sr_1_5/187-4978255-4368231?ie=UTF8&qid=1416635657&sr=8-5&keywords=oregon+chainsaw+sharpener

Oregon used to make one just like it.   You just clamp it on the bar, set your angles and stop.   Used one for years when I first started falling,  carried it in my pack, back then they were only $19.95 and I smashed a few by accident!

Didn't take long to figure out, leave your stuff away from your daily falling!

For you who have the money,  here is a great grinder, not the best BUT better then most of the others.

http://www.silveychaingrinder.com/chisel-square-grinders/razur-sharp-2

[lokidog]

If you have acess to Harbor Freight, buy their cheap electric sharpener.  I used to use a file and did an OK job, but this thing is way faster and much easier, just can't easily do it in the field.  Just bring an extra chain and a file to do a quick touch up if you zing the dirt or a rock.

Here is a link, it is currently on sale and you can always find a 20% off coupon so it would only be $32

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-chain-saw-sharpener-68221-8346.html

I was looking at getting this HFT chain sharpener for myself.  One of the things with most of the Oregon chains I have been using is the rakers are a bent over stamping and it is nearly impossible to file to file them down with a hand file.  So after a couple of sharpenings in the field these chains become worthless.  Does this unit have a method to take and grind the rakers down?

no

[dewandgin]

Grandfather was on a newsreel with his buddy as the first people in the state of California to have a chainsaw Worked as a faller 90% of his life in Wyoming. Dad worked in the timber industry as a faller for 30yrs. I have three saws and multiple chains and I can't sharpen any of them I have tried and once I do great and the next I cut in circles. I just take them to Madsens and have them sharpened and life is good. My problem is I don't use them enough. Just for firewood and house projects So I only have to sharpen once every other year.