Best Way to Sharpen Chainsaw Chain

[SpaceRage]

Hey Folks,

Just looking for some advice from the more experienced among us.

What is the best tool to sharpen a chainsaw chain? I have seen all sorts of different jigs, angle grinders, files, Dremel attachments etc and don't even know where to start on this task.

I'm not going to be using the chainsaw excessively, perhaps sharpening once a week.

Any advice highly appreciated, would rather spend more money to get the correct tool or equipment first time around than waste time on experimenting! :laughing:

 

[4570Man]

Despite what they tell you very few weekend firewood cutters can freehand file a chain and do a good job. It’s not a skill you’re going to master overnight or probably ever with light use. I had a Timberline jig and it worked really well but it was slow and tedious. I ended up buying an Oregon chain grinder. It has the disadvantage of having to remove a chain but it works well once I got the hang of it. Removing a chain isn’t as big of a deal as it might seem if I didn’t rock the chain or cut dirt one chain would easily cut more than I wanted to split in a day. There’s plenty of tools available to assist in sharpening a saw but I’ve never dealt with most of them.

 

[PILOON]

Hey. one or two file strokes per tooth every second or next tank full of gas and you'll cut like a pro.
Now I mean light strokes just to 'trim' the cutting tooth edge.
Next, possibly every 10 fuelling's or 10 hours or so a stroke or 2 on the rakers will make cutting go better.
OK, not the high tech approach but simply a decent practical down to earth method that has always worked for me.

Most important is simply to keep that chain away from the ground. Use a saw horse or other support.

 

[4570Man]

Hey. one or two file strokes per tooth every second or next tank full of gas and you'll cut like a pro.
Now I mean light strokes just to 'trim' the cutting tooth edge.

I’ve met a lot of people that can drag a file across a chain. I’ve only met one that can do a first class job at it. If a weekend firewood cuter is getting much practice at it it would stand to reason that they aren’t very good at it or they aren’t very good at not cutting dirt. A chain will stay sharp a long time treated right.

 

[/pine]

Keep a quality chain sharp (do not let it heat the dirt etc.)...by "touching it up" with a file...learn to look at what the files is doing and only remove enough metal to keep a sharp cutting edge...

once a chain is beyond "touching up" let a pro sharpen them...

Also files do not last forever...when a file quits cutting smoothly and quickly get a new one...

 

[joeyd]

I've been doing pretty good on touching up my chains but this last one seems to cut to the left since I sharpened it last. I use a lumber crayon to mark the tooth I start on and the last time I sharpened it I must have wiped off the crayon mark. I finally realized that i had been filing one side for quite a while before I stopped, I had already done the other side. Should I take this chain in to be professionally sharpened? Will that even it back out or should I toss it? There is still a lot on the teeth.

 

[ovrszd]

Wow!!! Two chain sharpening threads going at the same time and it's barely June!!!!

 

[ruffdog]

I file my chains. I also sharpen my own drill bits, etc.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I buy 3 - 4 chains for my saw and when I'm down to one I take that rest into town and get them sharpened. I might take my chains in once every 5 - 7 years. I don't cut much. I also own an electric chain saw because every time I pull the trigger it starts. My generator works for the odd remote cuts.

 

[/pine]

Wow!!! Two chain sharpening threads going at the same time and it's barely June!!!!

LoL...you're being facetious right?...I'm surprised there isn't more action on the "show off yer snow weapons" thread yet...only a few weeks until the days start getting shorter...!