A chainsaw makes woodcutting easier, and it is arguably the most essential woodworking tool. However, over time, the chain gets dull, and you will find it hard to make perfect cuts with ease. Once the chain gets dull, you have to apply more pressure when cutting through materials; otherwise, you have to sharpen it.
As long as you get the right tools and you get the right information on how to do it, you can easily sharpen the chain and get it back to the original condition.
If thinking of how to sharpen a chainsaw chain, here is how to do it. A chainsaw chain with an electric sharpener is not the only question that should linger into your minds. There are other alternatives to get the best results.
Setting the file
Sliding the chain across the cutter’s face
Hold the file to make sure it is on a level over the top of the chain. Push the file through the chain smoothly. You must not use much pressure; instead, make sure the file grinds against the chain. After that, lift the file from the cutter and reset it on the previous place and angle.
File the cutter three to ten times
Repeat the same motion when running the file against the chain until the chain is shiny with silver color. It must appear sharp! To make sure you are consistent when it comes to sharpness, count the times you file the first cutter and file the rest equally.
Sharpen the second cutting tooth from the starting position
Once you get the first sharp cutter, rotate your chain to get access to the other tooth easily. The cutters on a chainsaw usually alternate directions and so you need to sharpen all the cutters equally. Make sure you use the same angle, the motion, and the same number of times. Repeat the process on all the cutters until you get to the first one.
Rotate the chain at 180 degrees
At this point, loosen your clamp or vice and then rotate the chainsaw at 180 degrees. By doing this, you will show the alternate cutters that you skipped while sharpening during the first round.
You don’t have to change the method or stance. If you find it hard to adjust the place that your saw is held in, you can easily move around the chainsaw or adjust your file place to make sure it faces in the other direction. Whichever remain, stay consistent.
Filling the Rakers
Put a depth gauge on the chain
A depth gauge is there to make sure the height of the rakers is in the right height. Set the depth gauge over your chainsaw around the starting point and then push it forward until it touches against the raker.
The rakers are the bumps along the chain found between each cutter. The rakers function to keep up the cut consistency as the chain spins around the saw. That is why it is important to make sure you have the same level.
Use a flat mill bastard file
To level the raker, you need a mill bastard file. Make sure that the blade gauge is in place, run a flat file on top of the raker until it is at the same level as the depth gauge.
While the depth gauge is there to protect the other teeth from filling, there is no way to prevent the gauge from filing. That is why you need to file away from the gauge. Filing the gauge can lead to inconsistency between the rakers.
File the raker at the same height
Continue filling the rakers at the same height. Continue with the process of checking rakers with a depth gauge and file them around the chain.
Loosen the chain to release the chainsaw
At this point, you can use the adjustments screws to loosen the chainsaw chains back to the usual tension. Make sure you loosen the clamp or the vice that holds the chainsaw in place and then take out the chainsaw. Your chainsaw is now fully sharpened and ready for use.
Refill the bar oil reservoir in the chainsaw
Turn the chainsaw on the sides to show the cap for the oil reservoir. Unscrew the cap and then use a funnel to pour the chain oil and the bar. These products are available at the local stores. Always make sure you screw the cap tightly back before working with the chainsaw.
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Video Credit: Offgrid.se
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
