Tominator Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Anyone have any experience in sharpening chainsaws? Any and all advice welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSGB Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things My experience has been, take it to a hardware store, it's only a few bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things Yep ...I used to sharpen my chainsaw all day long when I was a logger working as a landing-man, chaser, second-loader and landing-bucker. They do have little jigs now to help you get the right angle on the chain as your sharpening it. It does take a little time and experience to sharpen one right. you need to hold the file at about a 45 degree angle to the chain, and square up and down to the bar. It's also very handy to have a good little flat file, so you can file down the rakers a bit, as the chain wears. The rakers are those little things that stick up between each tooth. You just need to take a little off the tops, so the teeth grab better. When sharpening the teeth, it's important to be consistant and sharpen each tooth with the same amount of strokes and the same angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things Local hardware store charges $6. Unless you can do it in less than 30 minutes, I'd probably consider that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things Yep, I would rather them do it and save me the headache. Your out a few bucks but back in business quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things [ QUOTE ] Yep, I would rather them do it and save me the headache. Your out a few bucks but back in business quickly. [/ QUOTE ] Not if you are doing a lot of cutting. You need to know how to sharpen your own saw, so you don't have to run to the store all day. It's not a one-time deal, when your busy cutting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things Chains used by pros may be different, but the chain on my little 16" Stihl needs to be sharpened at a 30 degree angle. A good tip is to not let the chain get too dull before sharpening. Then it only takes a few swipes on each tooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things Like Buckee said consistency is the main thing. There are several sharpening jigs out there that make it a little easier and they are not that expensive. It takes a little practice to get the hang of sharpening the chain, but it is not that bad. Chain saw Sharpening Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things Buy an extra chain. Most folks can swap out the chains faster than they can sharpen one. If you start with a sharp chain on the saw and swap it out when it gets dull, you can get quite a bit of cutting done. A properly sharpened chain lasts a lot longer than one that wasn't done right. Afterwards you can get them both sharpened at the hardware store or do it yourself when you have more time to do it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfletch7441 Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things I'm with Leo. I've got 3 chains that I keep sharp. I use one till it's dull then swap out for a sharp one. I sharpen my own chains though. It's really pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things used to sharpen my own, and it's really pretty easy. but havent had to do it for 20 years..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superguide Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Re: Sharpening Things WE have a Stihl dealer in town he just does it for me -I tell ya cutting railroad ties dulls them pretty fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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