Chain saw blade sharpening ?

[PILOON]

YEP, like that golf ball trick. (I use similar)
My method is 2 strokes every tank full of gas via hand file.
Old chains are reserved for stumps and roots and tossed when badly nicked.

All said, clamping the saw blade in a vice sure makes fileing an easy task but then you soon learn the knack of positioning on a tree stump to make that task easy.

 

[CobyRupert]

All said, clamping the saw blade in a vice sure makes fileing an easy task but then you soon learn the knack of positioning on a tree stump to make that task easy.

Or use one of these to do both: a vice on a tree stump!
Then you can sharpen your "blade"

 

[trevordd]

Hello, guys. I am new here, nice to meet you. I had some similar problem with my chainsaw too. I solved it by buying a Chain Grinder. Just got it from sale on tractortool for 270bucks. It sharpens my tools really great. Hope, it helped you somehow too

 

[yomax4]

I like the chainsaw grinder too. I can't seem to get the chain as sharp with a file. Maybe just too impatient not sure. I do agree that I probably take more metal than I need to. File does makes sense due to the chain cost being what it is.

 

[2458n]

The idea of using the chain brake never was considered. When my grandfather taught me saws did not have that feature. thank you.When I was working never thought of hand sharpening. Always had a couple of loops getting sharpened. You really notice how much chain gets sharpen away at the shop when you go back and do your own.

 

[JKR]

I use a Oregon chainsaw bench sharpener

http://www.oregonproducts.com/images_pro/products/accessories_main1.jpg

 

[dgeesaman]

I like the chainsaw grinder too. I can't seem to get the chain as sharp with a file. Maybe just too impatient not sure. I do agree that I probably take more metal than I need to. File does makes sense due to the chain cost being what it is.

Yep, with a grinder and resinoid wheel you can just kiss the teeth. As long as you're using the same angles as before it will take barely more material than the filing would. I have a 28" bar and four loops for my firewood saw and I just cut until each one loses it's edge, then change chains, top off the tanks and clean out the dust, and go back at it. The stuff I'm cutting now is dirty as it came from a tree service and the logs were handled more than once, so 3 strokes of a file every 30 minutes would not be enough.

The commercial sharpeners aren't necessarily trying to screw you by hogging off too much metal. Some do, but others are taking the time to make all teeth equal and clean up the inconsistent angles that usually come from hand sharpening.

I'm not sure if I should be doing this, but I've been noodling with the idea of buying a new sharpener. I have an older Neilsen sharpener that doesn't seem to have enough adjustments to set up for a .375 chain like it should. I don't need it, but...

 

[cat fever]

I have been using Stihl saws since being a teenager. Back then and now we use the little grinder tool that gets it's power from the truck battery. The Stihl one already has marks on the grinder for the proper angle. They are not much and I would recommend anyone who cuts any amount of wood on a regular basis get one. I do not remove the chain from the saw, sharpen it before you tighten the chain. It will slide around the bar easy enough. Keep the chain on wood, no dirt or rocks and it will stay sharp most of the day.

 

[dgeesaman]

Keep the chain on wood, no dirt or rocks and it will stay sharp most of the day.

That never happens for me. Probably the amount of dirt in the tree bark - my chains only stay sharp for one tankful at best.

I recommend sharpening whenever you think the chain has lost its edge.

David

 

[davesl708]

I sharpen my Stihl with a Dremel tool adapter. Works great. I sharpen the chain on the saw using Stihl's stones. This leaves a polished finish on the tooth. I have dropped and bucked a 42" elm and cut all brush on one sharpening. If I stay out of the dirt zone I have cut and bucked more than ten smaller trees without dulling.