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Author Topic: Sharpening chainsaw chains-what do you use?  (Read 5245 times)

Offline Rob

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Re: Sharpening chainsaw chains-what do you use?
« Reply #15 on: August 25, 2024, 06:51:30 AM »
This is great info.  Thanks all.

Sounds like perfecting my hand file technique for field work and then a granberg plus a raker file at home is the direction I will go

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Offline chukardogs

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Re: Sharpening chainsaw chains-what do you use?
« Reply #16 on: August 25, 2024, 08:13:09 AM »
I buy and trade old Homelite chainsaws for whatever silly reason people do such a thing. The three things I see when picking up old chainsaws are; the cutting tooth surface angle on one side isn't the same as the other. I've found numerous chains where the teeth have obviously been sharpened numerous times but rakers that set depth of cut have never been touched or were filed so far down the saw isn't strong enough to cut that much wood. I've found them so uneven that it causes the chain to bounce and jump while cutting. I've been given saws where the bar is so worn that the chain is flopping back and forth from side to side to the point where the owner says, damn thing won't cut anymore. It won't matter how sharp the chain is if the teeth can't stay in the wood. If when you apply pressure with your file, the cutting tooth moves more than a 64th of an inch, replace your bar. There should be very little play between the tooth guide and the bar.
My opinion only; sharpening grinders in the wrong hands can destroy a chain so fast you might as well get a new one. Once the tooths temper has been affected, the days of nice big even sized chips flying are over and it only takes one or two of the teeth to be affected to render the whole chain useless. Stick with a sharp round file, set at the right depth. Tighten your chain before sharpening until you can just move it to keep as much tooth rock and side play out of it as you can while sharpening. Then loosen the chain until you can get a penny between the chain links and the bar.
There may be no greater feeling than having your sharp chainsaw chain make large evenly cut chip piles at your feet!

Very interesting  post. I have a homesite that I use for my cutting jobs that are potentially hard on chains. I use my still for clean work. What drew you to playing with homelights
? Is it plentiful used saws you can get for cheap or free?
Yeah, I have multiple fly rods that cost a thousand bucks but I'll be damned if I'm going to spend much more than 50 bucks on a chainsaw. I've got a dozen Homelite Super XLs that are all runners. I buy every one I come across unless the seller knows what he has and wants what it's worth. I've been given saws that don't run and never will according to the owner, taken them home, changed fuel filter, air filter and put new fuel in it and used it the next day for cutting firewood. In my opinion, the Homelite Super XL built prior to 1972 is greatest saw ever built for the old guy cutting firewood on the weekends. (And it starts) If I was going to make a living using a chainsaw, well then I may own a Stihl, Husqvarna or a Jonsered but for the old guy cutting a few cords of wood on a weekend, the old Homelite works just fine.

Offline JakeLand

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Re: Sharpening chainsaw chains-what do you use?
« Reply #17 on: August 25, 2024, 07:19:15 PM »
I use an appropriately sized round file and a leather glove.
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Offline NOCK NOCK

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Re: Sharpening chainsaw chains-what do you use?
« Reply #18 on: August 27, 2024, 05:16:34 AM »
This is great info.  Thanks all.

Sounds like perfecting my hand file technique for field work and then a granberg plus a raker file at home is the direction I will go


I have a granberg sharpener im looking to sell (discounted of coarse) if your interested.
It works good, but IMO is a pain in the arse for sharpening. I switched to the Stihl quick 2-1 things, for me they work way better than by hand or the granberg. I should also mention I'm a skip tooth chain guy, they cut better and less teeth to sharpen.
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Offline GWP

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Re: Sharpening chainsaw chains-what do you use?
« Reply #19 on: August 27, 2024, 09:33:31 AM »
I have done file(s), files with a clamp on guide, bench electric, and never looked back after getting a couple Stihl 2 in 1 sharpeners. I sharpen enough blades that my bride of 30+ years can just pull her dull blade and swap it out with a sharp one and be off and running again with her Stihl electric saws.
Works for me.
The gas Stihl I sharpen as needed as it does not get used much since we got the electrics.
Cuterebra are NOT cute!

 


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