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How To Sharpen Your Chainsaw Blade

Last Updated on June 19, 2020 by MakeThingsReal

How To Sharpen Your Chainsaw BladeA well-sharpened chain is just as important in cutting and felling trees as a powerful engine. A chainsaw’s cutting ability comes from its opposing and sharp cutters spaced along the chain. A cutter is made up of two elements, namely a flat-faced depth gauge that controls the depth of the cut and a dual-profile cutting component.

Sharpening a chainsaw’s chain help the chain cut better. It does even better. It also improves the service life of the chain. A sharp chain makes the saw safer to operate, as well as it can also lessen the work load on the saw’s motor.

How To Sharpen Your Chainsaw Blade

How does one start with sharpening the blade’s saws?

To sharpen your chainsaw, you will need a pair of heavy gloves, a file guide and a round file. Chainsaw teeth come in various sizes therefore the instrument you use will need to have a size and diameter that is similarly identical to your saw. Initially, one of the basic steps you should start with is making sure your chainsaw is neat and prepared for the procedure. You should clean your chain religiously to remove any debris or dirt that’s clinging on to it that will only hamper the sharpening process.

Three steps are usually involved when sharpening the chainsaw’s blade. First is by modeling the chisel-like teeth that cut wood called cutters. Second is modifying the parts of the chain that control the bite taken by each cutter called depth gauge. Last is fine-tuning the tightness and tension of the chain so that it runs freely, with no slack, around the bar.

Once you’re ready to start, secure your saw on a stump vice to help prevent it from falling and causing additional damage. With the chainsaw stable, you can rely on more accurate results whilst increasing your safety. Place the file guide over the cutter, setting an idea of how long and big the cuts should be. Lay the round file across the guide within the cutter. This will serve as a frame of the saw. Draw the file from inside the cutter to outside using full and long strokes. Start sharpening all the cutters on one side of the chain before moving to the other side.

In truth, there is no universal direction for pushing the file. Most users would find a direction which is conveniently easy for them and adjust themselves. Using a twisting motion as you glide the file across the cutter, which will help to discharge metal chips is recommended. It may be that you work out a direction which works best for you in achieving smoother cutting surfaces.

To give you greater success and a better efficiency, you should start from the lead cutter, otherwise known as the shortest cutter on the chain. In sharpening a blade, the main goal is to file each tooth so that their flat edges are as close to being evenly the same as possible.

Always remember that although sharpening a chainsaw chain may extend the life of your chain, but this will not be an eternal process. Chains are made to only last through so many sharpening before they need to be eventually replaced.

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