Using a chainsaw to cut and remove trees, branches, quickly grown hedges, or bushes are excellent fun. It actually helps you to cut more efficiently and saves valuable time during your hard work. But not every time, our chainsaw can't provide a satisfactory experience due to some reasons.
Indeed, sharpness problems are the main reason for the declining performance of a chainsaw. If you don’t maintain your chainsaw regularly, no doubt, you won’t get a sharpened chainsaw in your workspace. Remember, the top quality and performance of a chainsaw entirely depends on the proper maintenance section. Significantly, the sharpness issue is a main part of maintenance.
Allowing your saw to work with dull sharpness will definitely make crooked cuts at the end. For this reason, you should know the right way to sharpen a chainsaw from the experts. Getting a proper suggestion on this topic may seem difficult; that’s why today we will talk about it in easy steps in the article below.
Understanding The Behavior of a Chainsaw
Before you start knowing the easy steps of making your chainsaw sharp, we would like to draw your kind attention to the behavior of a chainsaw point. Indeed, the sharpness of a chainsaw actually depends on three important parts. They are:
- Semi-circular cutting edges
- A depth-gauge fin, and
- The cutters
When you look deeper into your chainsaw, you will notice the teeth of the main chainsaw are the cutters. It is just lying in the loop. Moreover, you can notice the angles of the chainsaw situated upon the cutter point, and they are pointed from left to right. This unique pattern of the cutter ensures flat-out cuts. Therefore, there is a sharp depth-gauge fin is also available in the chainsaw pattern, which looks like a shark’s fin. Actually, the depth-gauge of the cutter machine indicates the actual depth of cuts in your materials.
If you take a round file, you can get ready for cutting-edge semicircular maintenance. With the help of this, you can customize or sharpen the lid teeth properly. In order to get a satisfactory result, you should match the diameter combinedly with semicircular cutting edges and the round file as well.
Most common people think sharpening the chain of the chainsaw is the only solution to get a nice and smooth cutting experience. But it isn’t true at all. In some quick cutting situations, yes, you can sharpen the chain and get the job done nicely. But in major cuts, you should level the sharpness with the depth gauges.
Generally, the cutter tips remain larger compared to the tips of depth gauges. So, once you notice both of them have reached the same level, in reality, your effort of sharpening will go in vain. In that crucial situation, there is no way left without changing the chain of your favorite chainsaw.
For more professional knowledge, you can ask or share your queries in our feedback section.
Tools Required
If you can't manage the right tools to sharpen a chainsaw, you will not get a pleasant result at all. So, manage all the tools in your workspace and then go through the deep process. Let’s check out the tools one by one:
- A round-file
- File guide
- Flat file
- Depth-gauge instruction
First, the round file is ideal for cutter sharpening. Next, the file guide will help the user to stabilize the round file. After that, the flat file is applicable to keep the depth gauges low as much as required. Lastly, depth-gauge instruction is mandatory to level the Depth-gauge ideally.
Easy Steps to Sharpen A Chainsaw
Once you gather all the tools together and understand their functionality, it is the final time to know the easy steps to sharpen a chainsaw one by one.
#Step No: 1- Clean The Chainsaw Chain
Gathering all the necessary tools is a great initiative, and it helps you to maintain them accordingly. In the next process, you must wear safety equipment properly. Indeed, safety kits always ensure a secure and protective working assurance for all. So, you cannot deny the importance of having them in your essential cutting work.
Try to put on construction gloves, goggles, a dust mask, ear protection, and a face shield. After that, you have to remove the chain from the chainsaw accordingly. Once you remove it, now you should start the cleaning part. Take a clean cotton sheet, then clear out all the remaining oils, dirt, and junk. In some cases, if you counter with tangled debris, you can use stain remover spirit throughout the chain.
After completing the cleaning session, now it is your duty to check all the teeth one by one. If you find anything damaged or unsafe to use, then first try to repair it, or if you fail to repair then move on to the replacement decision.
#Step No: 2-: Set the Chain Tension
If you want to enjoy a smooth and buttery experience with your favorite chainsaw, you must place the chain with precise tension. If you do not install it in the correct way, your favorite chainsaw will show unusual activities like it may kickback during continuous cutting; sometimes, the chain can easily detach from the guide bar.
Another thing to watch out for during work is that the chain should not be too loose or too tight in tension. If you fail to set it professionally, it will deliver excessive friction and overheat without any reason. To make a quick test regarding the factor, you can pull the chain to the upside position. If you see enough space between the teeth tips and the guide bar, then leave it in the previous position.
While keeping the chain back to the same position, if it sounds slack, that means the chain hasn’t tensioned correctly. You must try continuously until you set it perfectly.
If you fail to do, then follow the recommended actions. First, modify the front side screw. You can adjust the screw clockwise and counterclockwise to set the tension to the perfect position. During this step, if you get struck by any nuts, loosen it with a screwdriver and continue the process. Hope this way, you will be able to set it to the right tension.
#Step No: 3- Secure The Chainsaw
Do you want to know the hidden secret of sharpening a chainsaw? That is, you must stabilize your favorite chainsaw firmly. Remember, a perfectly stable and flexible chainsaw can cut at any different angles and deliver unique cuts at every end.
If you want to enjoy such an amazing experience like this, you have to ideally place the chainsaw on a bench vise with the clamps bearing the guide bar. This useful action will help your chainsaw move freely in any direction and offer secure cutting assurance. If you can’t complete the work in a specific way, you can hire a professional to match it perfectly.
#Step No: 4- Find Out The Shortest Chainsaw Tooth and Start Sharpening It
This is an important task in sharpening a chainsaw. Inside the process, you have to find out the shortest chainsaw first, and then mark the sharpening track with a marker. Although most chainsaws have teeth of the same length these days, it's always best to mark them accordingly.
If you can’t manage any marker for this work, you can use a pencil or any other marking object. But make sure the marker sharply marks the line to identify them clearly.
#Step No: 5- Stroke The Teeth At an Angle
In this stage, you need to position the file in the lid area at the crown of the cutting edge. Now, keep the file at an identical angle and try to twist it continuously until it makes friction at every stroke. If you fail to identify the actual angle, you can take a look at the angle sharpening chart. This will help you to make the right decision in your work. Now follow the chart and keep doing the same act with other teeth.
#Step No: 6- Sharpen The Other Side Of The Chain
Just as we said earlier, you have to continue the same work with other teeth accordingly. When one side of the chainsaw reaches complete sharpening, you must reverse the file and again sharpen the skipped teeth one by one. To bring the same length of every tooth, you should pressurize all the tooths outwards. At the end of the day, an ideal chainsaw must contain the same height and sharpness in every tooth so that it can make efficient and accurate cuts.
#Step No: 7- Check the Depth Gauges and File
Besides sharpening the teeth of the chainsaw, everyone should check the depth gauges and file accordingly. It is a great initiative to sharpen the chainsaw. In some cases, the depth gauges are alternatively called rakers.
With the depth gauges, you can understand the actual depth cut of the chainsaw in timber. Although depth gauges don't require the same kind of constant sharpening as chainsaw teeth, if you experiment with them the same, you can get noticeable relief during your cuts. While checking the depth gauges, if you notice any depth gauge reaching a lengthy height compared to its closer one, then use your file and turn it down with the flat file. Do it constantly with all the depth gauges.
Once you complete a side, then revise the chainsaw and check the skipped gauges properly. If you notice the same problem with them, make sure you apply the same solution to them. After doing the job with proper attention and patience, we hope you will end up with a sharp chainsaw in your hand. Never lose your hopes if you are stuck in any critical position. Try to understand the problem and then apply the professional method.
Benefits of Sharpening a Chainsaw
In fact, sharpening a chainsaw following a regular routine ensures a hassle-free and professional finish on every cut. Moreover, this proper operation provides considerable usability in the workplace and extends the life of the chain on a large scale. An ideal and sharp chainsaw is like a life savior at cutting work. If the tool is maintained properly, it won’t stop delivering satisfactory results.
Additionally, if you sharpen the depth gauges, you can enjoy deeper and more extreme strokes. The sharpening process makes your chainsaw look brand new and increases the performance rate as high as your expectations.
Importantly, if you and your work adjust with a regular chainsaw, you can clear special sculptures in any materials. To do this act, you will need a sharp chain. When you go out to buy a new chain, it will definitely cost a lot of money. In that case, repairing or sharpening your old or rarely used chainsaw will relieve all the money expansion problems and make you more confident in your work.
Furthermore, if you want to become a professional person with this powerful tool, you should maintain the tool with proper security, and there they tell you to sharpen the blade first to continue the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Answer: Indeed, a chainsaw with top-class features and efficient power will easily last longer. Although you cannot deny the importance of maintaining it regularly. Generally, a top-notch chainsaw can be sharpened up to 8-10 times smoothly.
If it is kept with special care, the number of sharpenings can reach even higher numbers. In fact, the number of sharpenings depends entirely on your maintenance and usage. But if the chain reaches an inconsistent maintenance period, you need to replace it immediately.
Answer: Nowadays, the chainsaw has become a great power cutting tool that is widely used by hobbyists and professional people. The reason behind this popularity is its easy operating system and easy portability. Though some people think the sharpening process of a chainsaw seems complicated, and thus they lose interest in buying it.
But the truth is that the sharpening process is as simple as all other functions. If you correct the ways of sharpening a chainsaw from our article, you can expect a good result at last.
Answer: Generally, a properly maintained chainsaw never misbehaves when cutting. Moreover, it will make coarse strands in opposition to making good sawdust. This weird sign indicates the chainsaw becomes dull and unavailable to use for effective cuts. In some cases, the chainsaw can create unusual smoke and smells really bad. This is why you should properly maintain your saw by making a regular checkup and maintenance routine.
Answer: Of course, not. The sharpening process of a chainsaw is a quick and easy method that anyone can follow if they acquire enough knowledge. By maintaining proper safety issues, and all other required subjects, you should start the sharpening part accordingly. Remember, it is quick work but it requires a lot of focus, patience, and proper timing. If you successfully maintain your chainsaw by following our mentioned way, you can easily upgrade your skills and experience as well.
Answer: No matter which power tool you choose during your cutting session, you should maintain 100% safety to enjoy a safe working experience at all times. Generally, you can keep construction gloves, goggles, a dust mask, ear protection, safeguard, and a safety hat in your safety kit bag. Especially, the dust mask will keep you safe from the bad reaction of sawdust as it has become a sign of threat for allergen people.
Final Overview
No doubt, all the ways to sharpen a chainsaw look easy for all, and anyone can sharpen their chainsaw easily if they follow all the steps. Remember, better output and flawless cutting experience entirely depends on proper maintenance. So, if you take care of your chainsaw regularly, no doubt, it will serve as your daily driver.
But never try to repair or sharpen older tools in a continuous process. This may cause serious damage to your regular cuts, and ultimately you will lose your hope and confidence as well. If the tool needs replacement, try to bring the new one soon.
No more today. We always wish you well in every aspect. So we'd love to hear your thoughts in our comments section. So, keep writing to us soon.
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