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?