Sharpening chainsaws

[anthony1]

I don't really enjoy sharpening chainsaw chains. Does anyone have tips on sharpening as well as a good file? Also does anyone use carbide tipped chainsaw chains. Were they worth your money? Thanks!

 

[kozal01]

I don't really enjoy sharpening chainsaw chains. Does anyone have tips on sharpening as well as a good file? Also does anyone use carbide tipped chainsaw chains. Were they worth your money? Thanks!

Check out the Stihl/ Pferd 2 in 1 files, makes quick work of filing and is pretty easy to do. As for carbide chains, if you dont enjoy sharpening you will really hate carbide.

 

[Jrasband]

Stihl 2 in 1 is amazing, you won't hate sharpening anymore.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I use this thing, there is a guide for the angle, and you can't screw the depth it works pretty good for me. As for file I am not sure a file is a file but I think I use Oregon. I simply buy lots, I am not scared to throw it out and grab a new one.

 

[David in KY]

I've never been very good at sharpening chains with a file. My results were always mediocre.

However, I discovered using a battery powered Dremel tool with diamond embedded bits. Correctly sized to the chain, I can get very sharp chains with very little effort. It's almost fool proof. Just go slow, as the bits can be aggressive when new/ fresh. This practice has been a game changer for me. And it's fast.

Good luck

 

[dodge man]

I use one like @Rockbadchild shows. I also have a small flat file and a gauge for lowering the rakers. It all came as a kit from Stihl. I’m about 75% with my sharpening. I get good chips but also a little sawdust, which means some of the teeth are less than perfect. It helps if I actually use a magnifying glass to look at them afterwards. I think sometimes I’m a little low on the tooth with the file. I improve the more I do it.

 

[Topzide]

Dremel has a chain sharpener kit. It's an end cap with a guide plate to hold angle and I think 2 different size stones. Well worth the money! I take that and a power inverter when away from the house. Also have a HF chainsaw grinder that I can run fr9m the inverter. Dremel is quicker and use grinder at end of the day to even everything up!

 

[David in KY]

Another note about the Dremel bits. I have only used the diamond embedded bits, which work well. I read that the stone bits deteriorate quickly, usually before completing a single chain. Something to consider...

 

[anthony1]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll have to check those dremel tools out, David. They look very helpful

 

[ptsg]

I've always used a Dremel type tool (different brand, same thing) with a 6 mm pink stone. The stone lasts a long time for me and always get very good results.

 

[anthony1]

my neighbor uses one of those and says he has always had good success with it

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I have a Harbor Freight grinder, it does a good job. I do like the idea of the Dremel method though. And I should real try to get proficient at using a file. But I always have at least 2 sharp chains with me so I have never run into a situation where I needed to do it.

 

[BigGG]

I have a Harbor Freight grinder, it does a good job. I do like the idea of the Dremel method though. And I should real try to get proficient at using a file. But I always have at least 2 sharp chains with me so I have never run into a situation where I needed to do it.

I'm with you. I gave up on filing on the bar, change chains and grind with the HF grinder in the shop.

 

[JasperFrank]

I use this thing, there is a guide for the angle, and you can't screw the depth it works pretty good for me. As for file I am not sure a file is a file but I think I use Oregon. I simply buy lots, I am not scared to throw it out and grab a new one.

View attachment 5248606

I've found this to be better than using a dremil tool. And that's just my opinion.

 

[airbiscuit]

This (Husqvarna) used to be my favorite

This is my new favorite. Five hand filing touch ups, then off to the shop.

 

[WinterDeere]

I just carry spare chains, and quickly swap them out as needed. I'd rather sharpen while listening to the radio on a random rainy Tuesday night in my heated shop, than burn daylight doing it outdoors on Saturday.

I keep several chains in each size, and when they start to really pile up, I'll set aside an evening or rainy day to plow thru a dozen or more. A bench-mounted chain grinder makes quick work of it, in reasonably skilled hands, but can also wreck a whole bunch of chain really fast in the wrong hands.

 

[2515R Dude]

I didnt like it as well. Tried everything i could get my hands on, the Dremel works fast and makes them look sharp, BUT for some reason in my experience chain dulls really fast
Then i bough Pferd files, now i love sharpening chains and saws are happily throw long big chips and i need to touch up the chain not more often than every 3-4 tanks unless i hit a nail or a rock. And even then Pferd makes it easy task. I dont use any gadget, only a file with wooden handle, Ones in a while i tough up rakers with a flat file.
My wood it read oak 100%.

 

[RayIN]

I used to sharpen chains free-hand; got pretty good at it finally.
Decided to file down drags free-hand. Chain was verrrry agresssive as a result. Then it grabbed in a big Oak; broke the chain and I think it broke the flywheel key. Haven't gotten around to taking it apart since I stopped burning wood.
I intended to fix it this last winter but sickness kept me in the house most of the winter. If it wasn't me it was DW, and since her stroke I'm a caregiver now. Everything else is second place.

 

[anthony1]

Airbiscuit, how does that husquvarna thing work? Is it just guide?

 

[anthony1]

Airbiscuit, how does that husquvarna thing work? Is it just guide?