Purchasing the proper chain sharpener

[John_Mc]

I've been following this thread because though I've got 3 chains for each of my saws to stay sharp - and it works for the most part because I don't usually do a ton of sawing - I wouldn't mind being able to sharpen up on my own for those times that I'm dulling chain fast.

Local saw shop here sharpens chains for $5 each, a day or two turnaround (I'm almost never in town two days in a row so I'm not quite sure).

Ning -

There are a lot of Youtube videos on sharpening chains, but unfortunately, unless you already know a lot about the subject (in which case you probably don't need the video), it's hard to tell which ones are garbage and which ones are gold.

If you want a great tutorial on sharpening a chainsaw, take a look at this one: The Art & Science of Chainsaw Sharpening. It's not free: $6.99 to download, or $9.99 to order a DVD (or 99¢ to "rent", but I assume that is just a 1-time viewing, which is a problem if you want to be able to reference it later). They detail the equipment needed to accurately hand-sharpen a chain, and review sharpening using a couple of different kinds of guides, demonstrating in detail how to use them. (They also have an introduction to using a chain grinder, but that is not the main focus of this video.)

I had the pleasure of learning in person from the author many years ago as part of the "Game of Logging" level two workshop he teaches. Even though I was able to get it down well from that instruction, I bought the DVD when it came out a couple of years ago. It's been great to have to lend out to my friends who are interested in learning to sharpen a saw well.

NOTE: I have no connection to the company or the sale of the video, other than the fact that I am a satisfied customer.

 

[Oldpath05]

How much market is there for chain sharpening? I was thinking about doing it. I only know of 2 places that do it in town and they both do an awful job. I could make a chain sharper than they can by putting it on backwards and cutting a brick. There痴 no sarcasm there. If you saw my other chain sharpening thread I致e got the hang of it and can do a pretty good job.

Starting now I get $5.00/inch............

 

[denchen]

You guys must have someone on your side of the pond, but here starkiesharp.com/diamond_chainsaw_files is worth a look. Me I take the folding plastic handle off, force a short length of copper tube over the end and fit a small wooden handle over the copper tube.

 

[Ortimber]

2 in 1 Filing Guide & Saw Chain Sharpener | STIHL USA Mobile

Best “in the field” sharpening tool available. I highly recommend this.

 

[4570Man]

Starting now I get $5.00/inch............

Is that a joke or did I miss the point? That’s way more than a new chain cost.

 

[Budweiser John]

Is that a joke or did I miss the point? That’s way more than a new chain cost.

Someone is jerking somebody’s chain.
Pun intended.

B. John

 

[Wakey]

2 in 1 Filing Guide & Saw Chain Sharpener | STIHL USA Mobile

Best “in the field” sharpening tool available. I highly recommend this.

This is what I got in 2 different sizes. Well, I got the Pferd versions, I believe they make the Stihl units as well.

 

[Ortimber]

This is what I got in 2 different sizes. Well, I got the Pferd versions, I believe they make the Stihl units as well.

Yep, Pferd makes them for Stihl.

 

[RayfromTX]

The pferd works so well that it gives me a warm fuzzy to have finally found it. A tree cutting pro turned me onto it and the online source for all my tree cutting supplies. I have crossed several minor irritations off my list now after 35 years of owning and using chainsaws. I swear I'm going to have life figured out about the time mine is over.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Thanks for posting the link. Lots of great reviews. At around the 37 dollar price tag, certainly would be worth a try.

2 in 1 Filing Guide & Saw Chain Sharpener | STIHL USA Mobile

Best “in the field” sharpening tool available. I highly recommend this.

 

[Ortimber]

Thanks for posting the link. Lots of great reviews. At around the 37 dollar price tag, certainly would be worth a try.

You are welcome. It’s a nice product and I think most people would be surprised how well they work.

 

[HillStreet]

I have the Harbor Freight unit that runs about $35 or so. Three chain saws, 10 chains. I sharpen mostly with a hand file used with no guide. I tune them up on the electric one when needed.

 

[powrguy]

2 in 1 Filing Guide & Saw Chain Sharpener | STIHL USA Mobile

Best 妬n the field sharpening tool available. I highly recommend this.

Same as the Pferd. I've got the Pferd for my Husqvarna 350 chains, and it works fine. Stihl's sharpener is made by Pferd, under the Stihl name, for die-hard Stihl fans.

 

[Ritothebull]

I guess I was lucky to learn how to sharpen a chain with a file years ago before it became so complicated. :laughing:

 

[Wakey]

I guess I was lucky to learn how to sharpen a chain with a file years ago before it became so complicated. :laughing:

And I have a few neighbors who swear they are a pro with just a file and their saw is a dog to use. Once after about 3 minutes I handed him his saw back :laughing: I don't use a saw enough to bother with trial and error when I'm trying to complete a task.

 

[4570Man]

And I have a few neighbors who swear they are a pro with just a file and their saw is a dog to use. Once after about 3 minutes I handed him his saw back :laughing: I don't use a saw enough to bother with trial and error when I'm trying to complete a task.

Exactly. Most hand filers are lucky to get 50 percent as good as new. Only a select few can do a good job. I’m not in that category and I’d bet the few hating on other methods aren’t either. All the ones that can are professionals. I’ve never seen a weekend warrior that can do a good job hand filling a saw. It’s just not something you can do a couple times a year and be good at IMO.

 

[stuckmotor]

Has anyone other than me had extreme dufficulty filing a low kickback chain so it would cut?

 

[newbury]

Has anyone other than me had extreme dufficulty filing a low kickback chain so it would cut?

Low kickback chains are easy to file. I take them off the saw and file them in a drawer. And generally buy new chains from Bailey's.

 

[powrguy]

Low kickback chains are easy to file. I take them off the saw and file them in a drawer. And generally buy new chains from Bailey's.

Do you use the "round file", or the "square file"......LOL :stirthepot:

 

[ericm979]

Has anyone other than me had extreme dufficulty filing a low kickback chain so it would cut?

They sharpen the same as any other round filed chain for me. I hand file or a bench grinder. The anti kickback tabs may interfere with some chain guides. The Granberg type rail guides would be even more of a pain with low kickback.

I was using low kickback chains for a while because when you ask for a new chain at my local Stihl dealer that's what they give you. When I was being paid to run a saw low kickback didn't exist. I don't think the shop mentioned it to me and I didn't know to ask. When I did figure it out I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't like saws with anti vibe back in the day and I've come around to liking them. I've moved to regular (high kickback?) chain for wood cutting and tree felling. The low kickback stuff works ok. It'll even bore cut, though not as fast. But for regular 3/8 that I use on the larger saws I use Bailey's house brand which does not come in low kickback. I like low kickback for cutting brush as it's less grabby.