So there you are out in the woods or in the garden merrily cutting away with your chainsaw and you notice that you are having to push more to get the saw to cut the wood of the tree properly. It is not feeding in as well as when you started working with the chainsaw. You will probably notice that there is more sawdust being produced, instead of the large sized chips you should be seeing. So yes it is time to sharpen that chain or at least check it. It could be other factors such as chain tension. Best to check everything so that the chainsaw works as it is supposed to.
What Sort Of Chain Saw Sharpener Do I Buy
You can work with a file and sharpen the saw manually, by hand. If you are out in the forest miles from anywhere that I suppose that will be the best bet. Most times you will want to think about an electric chain saw sharpener. There a lot of those links on a long chain that need to be cut right, right angle and correct amount. Each of the cutters should be sharpened to the same size. If one is more worn or damaged then the others should be sharpened back the same amount. Oregon 108181 Saw Chain Mini Bench Grinder/Sharpener
Getting A Precision Machined Finish On Cutters
You could buy a compact grinder saw sharpener which leaves a precision machined finish on cutters without having to remove the chain from the saw. There are also sharpeners that work with the chain taken off the saw. You should visually check the chain before you sharpen it. Look for bent or burred drive links, broken cutters or tie-straps and loose rivets or broken rivet heads. You may have to take it to a service professional to get broken parts replaced. You might have to just buy a new chain, depending on what is damaged.
Doing The Sharpening On The Chain
If damage is present on the chrome surface of top plates or side plates, cut back until such damage is removed. Sharpen cutters on one side first then turn the chain or the whole saw around to sharpen the other side. This is because the cutters alternate the cutting with each cutter, left then right and the left again. Chains have different pitches, so make sure you have the chain saw blade sharpener set correctly for the specific chain.
Look After The Blade From New
Soak the chain in oil before using, or run the chain saw at half throttle for a few minutes to allow oil to reach all parts of the bar and chain. Use correct tension on the chain, let the chain cool before adjusting the tension. For the first cuts keep it light, not heavy duty work. Don’t apply heavy pressure and have extra oil on the bar and chain for those first cuts. You should check the chain tension more often in the first half an hour of use.
Looking After The Sharpener
Don’t use the Oregon chain saw sharpener as a general purpose grinder, as that might lead to inconsistencies the next time you are trying to get a good cut on your chain saw. When you buy your sharpener it is a good idea to buy a spare cutting grinder disk to go with it. Oregon Chain Sharpener Replacement Grinding Wheel
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