How To Sharpen a Chainsaw 3 Ways

Have you been using your chainsaw but noticed it’s not working as efficiently as it once did? Chances are it’s time to sharpen it. Sharpening your chainsaw is essential to its performance and can save you time and money in the long run. In this post, we’ll discuss three main ways to sharpen a chainsaw, including a file, a power-driven grinding wheel, and a bench grinder.

We’ll walk you through the steps for each method and give you our top tips for keeping your chainsaw sharp and in tip-top shape. With our help, you’ll be an expert chainsaw sharpener in no time.

Safety Precautions

It’s always best to follow safety protocols whenever you’re using any kind of power tool or sharp instrument. This is especially true when dealing with a chainsaw. You must protect yourself from injury before you even start sharpening. 

• Wear protective clothing and eyewear to protect yourself from the possibility of flying debris or sparks. 
• Make sure your chainsaw is off and unplugged before starting. 
• Work in a well-ventilated area and take regular breaks to decrease the chances of fatigue and thermic shock. 
• Make sure no children or animals are nearby before beginning work. 
• Understand how the chain works so that you don’t inadvertently cause any damage to it while sharpening it.

Now that we’ve reviewed the safety protocols for sharpening a chainsaw let’s look at the three most common methods of sharpening a chainsaw blade.

Sharpening With a Hand File

Using a hand file to sharpen your chainsaw is the most low-tech and the least accurate way of doing it. It takes some time and patience, but if done correctly will get the job done if you don’t have access to any other type of tools.

1. Take out the file guide, which should come with your hand file kit, and slide it onto the saw bar before filing. The key is to make sure each tooth is even.
2. File each tooth downwards at an angle of 30-40 degrees until you reach the necessary depth, then turn the file around and file back up again in one smooth motion until all teeth have been filed equally and are level with each other. 
3. Once all teeth have been filed, go over them one more time with the file to ensure there are no burrs left on them. 
4. Check for proper tension of the chain by threading it through its guide bar groove and ensuring there isn’t too much slack or too much tension on it while running your hands along the length of the bar from one side of the saw to another. Adjust accordingly before continuing to use your chainsaw.

Sharpening With an Electric Sharpener

An electric chainsaw sharpener can save time and effort when sharpening your blade compared to hand filing, although they can be expensive. This method is much more accurate than hand filing as long as you follow the instructions.

1. Put the guide bar into position inside the sharpener and ensure it’s secure before turning on the machine. 
2. Position each tooth of the chain so that its cutting edge is lined up with one of the sharpening wheels. This should be done quickly but carefully. 
3. Start running each tooth through until they’ve all been filed equally on both sides.
4. Once all teeth have been filed, check for burrs on their edges before removing them from the machine and checking for tension, as outlined above.

Sharpening With a Grinder

Using a grinder or bench grinder is often considered one of the fastest ways to sharpen a chainsaw blade. It also has drawbacks due to its potential for error if used incorrectly. To use this method, you’ll need additional tools, such as a vise or clamps and safety glasses, in addition to your grinder or bench grinder.

1. Securely clamp down your saw in either a vice or bench grinder clamp so that it doesn’t move while you’re working on it. 
2. Line up each tooth so that its cutting edge forms a 30-degree angle with one of the wheels. If you don’t know where this angle should be, consult your owner’s manual for more information regarding this step, as different models may require different angles for their teeth alignment. 
3. Slowly rotate each tooth through one wheel at a time until they’ve all been filed equally on both sides. Depending on what type of grinder you have, this could take anywhere from three to five passes per tooth.
4. After filing each tooth individually, use a chainsaw sharpener guide to sharpen them further. This step will help ensure that all teeth are even and gives your chain an even sharper edge than before.

With these tips in mind and careful attention paid to safety protocols when handling any kind of power tools like these chain saws, you’re sure to keep your trusty tool in good condition and ready for future use. Whether you’re sharpening blades yourself or taking them into shops equipped with a professional-grade chainsaw sharpener, remember to follow safety precautions and keep your blade clean to ensure a long life for your tool.