How long to sharpen your Chainsaw?

dmftoy1 · Jan 2, 2004

Just finished sharpening my chain after some heavy usage and was just curious as to how long it takes most people. With the chain still on the saw I estimate it takes my maybe 5 minutes, 10 at the most. (using a Dremel and a chainsaw jig)

Regards,
Dave

JJT · Jan 2, 2004

5 - 10 minutes to touch the teeth up. 30 - 40 minutes if it needs serious grinding. (20 inch bar)

leaddog · Jan 2, 2004

I touch up mine every tank full with a file and it takes well less than 5min. I just use the angle mark on the chain and no guide and two passes with the file. Keep the chain sharp and the saw will cut like butter. Doing it this way I never have to use a machine.
leaddog

JDgreen227 · Jan 2, 2004

I use Sears saws with the 18 inch bars and it normally takes less than five minutes to do each one with a hand file. Never tried doing it with a Dremel bit. I usually touch the chains up about every 4/5 tanks of fuel. When the job is done I pull the clutch cover, take the bar and chain off, then use engine degreaser to clean out the oil and wood chips inside the clutch cover, use a stiff pin to clean out the bar grooves, then put it back together, reversing the bar.

theonlybull · Jan 3, 2004

i'm about the same as the last 2, when i worked in the woods for a living, i could put the saw in my lap, and file the whole chain in about 10 mins, or 5 mins in the vice back at the shop. hand file, by eye here too

kevinj · Jan 3, 2004

The old loggers around here only let a grinder near a chain if it has been damaged. I too find the file every tank or two keeps you cutting efficiently and prolongs chain life greatly.

Egon · Jan 3, 2004

Hand file by eye on 18 inch bar takes about 5-10 minutes.

Egon

PineRidge · Jan 3, 2004

I use a system of cycling through 5 different chains for my Stihl saw in the field. Changing a chain is much quicker than touching one up. Once a blade needs sharpened at the end of the day I then run it through my bench mounted Oregon 511A sharpener. They come out sharper than when I purchased them.

dmftoy1 · Jan 3, 2004

Thanks guys! That's what I was hoping to hear. I've been just lightly touching it up everytime I notice small chips while cutting. If I'm seeing those big ones' and the saw is cutting fast then I don't worry about it. How long does a tank of bar oil typically last you? I seem to have to refill mine 1 or 2 times per tank of fuel. I would've thought it would last for an entire tank. (bought this saw used and it good shape, so I don't have any good manuals for it.)

Thanks in advance,
Dave

RobertN · Jan 3, 2004

Your oil to gas usage should be better than 1:1. You should have a fair amount of oil left when your gas runs out, lest you burn up your chain.

My newer Husky 335xp runs almost two tanks of gas to one tank of oil. I always top the oil when I refuel anyways.

theonlybull · Jan 3, 2004

there should be an adjustment for the amount of oil your saw puts out. best is to adjust it so there is still a little oil left when you run out of gas. bar oil isn't that expensive, and it sure makes your chain/bar/tip sprocket last longer. if you use your saw different times of year, you can change the weight of the oil, to help it last. light for really cold, heavey for summer, and medium inbetween. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

dmftoy1 · Jan 3, 2004

Thanks, I definately need an adjustment then. I wonder where I could find an owner's manual for a Mac 3818 ??

Regards,
Dave

Slamfire · Jan 3, 2004

It always takes me as long to sharpen the chain, as it takes my body to recover and get ready to cut again. I don't keep track of how many minutes that is. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

theonlybull · Jan 4, 2004

( Thanks, I definately need an adjustment then. I wonder where I could find an owner's manual for a Mac 3818 ??

Regards,
Dave )

no problem. most saws i've seen have the adjustment on the bottom of the saw, set into where the chain comes out of. they often have a little + - cast on each side of the hole aswell.

if all else fails, stop and see a small engine mechic, and ask them where it is. probably easier then finding a manual. lol

Boone · Jan 6, 2004

It takes me 5 minutes to sharpen a chain with my bench chainsaw sharpener, a Tecomec from Bailey's that will adjust to zero degrees for ripping chains. I'm very happy with the job this machine does and it is cost efficient to buy considering the cost of paying someone else or the price of a new chain.

PineRidge · Jan 6, 2004

It takes me 5 minutes to sharpen a chain with my bench chainsaw sharpener, a Tecomec from Bailey's that will adjust to zero degrees for ripping chains. I'm very happy with the job this machine does and it is cost efficient to buy considering the cost of paying someone else or the price of a new chain.


Boone when I was clearing my land I was taking 4 or 5 chains every weekend to get them sharpened. The cost plus the wait time was a pain. So I also invested in the bench sharpener like you did. They are quick and the chains come out sharper than when you buy them.

RalphVa · Jan 6, 2004

I've both a round saw with an angle gauge and stone hones with a rig that keeps them at the same angle. Used to use either of these. Only took about 5 minutes.

Now, I just take the chain off when it dulls and take it to the hardware store, as I have 2 chains and bars. $6/per. Recently had both done cuz I was cutting into dirt with one and rocks and dirt with the other.

My old 009L Stihll still does great. Would you believe the new ones are about $10 less than what I paid for mine near 30 years ago?

Ralph

Typhoon · Jan 9, 2004

I dont use any guides either. Around 3 minutes for a touch up, 72dl 18" bar full compliment. Skip tooth on a 24" bar about the same. To do a full job including taking the rakers down, maybe 15 mins. I know guys who can do it in less than 2 minutes. Crazy! Some of you may know of John Lambert (Gypo), he claims he can touch one up on 45 secs. I dont doubt it, he is one of the best. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Corm · Jan 12, 2004

Adjusting MAC oil pump - I'm not familiar with a MAC 3818, but on my MAC 1010, I have to remove the cover of the oil tank in order to get access to the small screw that adjusts the flow of the pump. It only takes a minute or two (do it when the oil tank is empty....). If the oil tank on your saw has a removable cover, it may be a similar set up.

Corm

Youare · Jan 12, 2004

Like everyone else that sharpen by hand with a file it takes around 5 minutes to touch up a dull chain and 10 - 15 to correct a really dull one.

Hitting something in the wood or ground takes a little longer to get every tooth around the same length. Every 4th or 5th sharpening or after a extensive sharpening I file the rakers also.

Oil to fuel consumption should be 1:1. I still have oil left in the tank after I am out of fuel. Back when I had a Mac 1010 with an automatic as well as manual oiler I could run out of oil when frequently using the manual oiler lever. Oil is less expensive than a bar and chain.

Randy