When it comes to sharpening a chain at home, some a put off as they think it can be too difficult. When purchasing a chainsaw you should really invest in a filing kit and even a spare chain so you can continue cutting even if the chain you are using has become blunt.
Inspect the chain for damages such as overly worn links and teeth. Teeth may become chipped, broken, or bent. As a rule of thumb, the top plate (flat surface at the top of cutting teeth) should be at least 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) in length. If it is worn shorter than this using the chain will be dangerous and we advise discarding the chain.
Secure your saw on a solid surface and clamp your bar by using something like a vice. Reason being the saw must be stable to be safe and aid inaccurate filing. By clamping the bar the chain will be able to rotate freely.
To file, you need to position the filing gauge on the chain, ensure contact is made. The arrows on the filing gauge should point in the chain’s direction of rotation (towards the nose wheel). See image below:
Use the round file. Place the file at a 90° angle to the rollers on the filing gauge. File with both hands resting the file on both rollers. File the cutting tooth away from you using a moderate twisting motion to discharge metal chips (filings) that are removed.
File every other tooth so that it is sharp. It is important that all the cutting teeth are of equal length.
When you have finished filing all the cutting teeth on one side, remove from vice and attach the guide bar from the other direction. Sharpen the cutting teeth using the same method in the other direction.
Once complete saturate/soak you chain with oil, check the tension, and you should be ready to saw again! For those who prefer to have their chain sharpened for them, you can simply post your chain to World of Power and we will happily sharpen the chain for you. Please see our web page for more information.
Required tools for filing a chain;
- Round File
- Flat File
- Combination gauge
- Stump Vice (if filing in the forest)
Inspect the chain for damages such as overly worn links and teeth. Teeth may become chipped, broken, or bent. As a rule of thumb, the top plate (flat surface at the top of cutting teeth) should be at least 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) in length. If it is worn shorter than this using the chain will be dangerous and we advise discarding the chain.
Secure your saw on a solid surface and clamp your bar by using something like a vice. Reason being the saw must be stable to be safe and aid inaccurate filing. By clamping the bar the chain will be able to rotate freely.
How to file a chainsaw chain;
Identify the leading cutter as your starting point. This will be the shortest cutter on the chain. If the cutters are similar you can start anywhere; ensure you mark your starting position to avoid repeat filing. Teeth on a chain must be filed according to angle, there are three different angles on a chain; the side plate angle, the filing angle and the top plate cutting angle - see below images.
To file, you need to position the filing gauge on the chain, ensure contact is made. The arrows on the filing gauge should point in the chain’s direction of rotation (towards the nose wheel). See image below:
Use the round file. Place the file at a 90° angle to the rollers on the filing gauge. File with both hands resting the file on both rollers. File the cutting tooth away from you using a moderate twisting motion to discharge metal chips (filings) that are removed.
File every other tooth so that it is sharp. It is important that all the cutting teeth are of equal length.
When you have finished filing all the cutting teeth on one side, remove from vice and attach the guide bar from the other direction. Sharpen the cutting teeth using the same method in the other direction.
Depth Gauge (Raker)
To set clearance of the depth gauge (Raker), this is the curved, hook-shaped links between the cutters (see image below). Each depth gauge (Raker) should clear each cutting edge about one tenth of an inch lower than the cutter. This determines the amount of wood that the cutter removes on each pass. If the gauge is too high and must be filed using a flat file (not likely to be needed except when dealing with a defective chain).
Once complete saturate/soak you chain with oil, check the tension, and you should be ready to saw again! For those who prefer to have their chain sharpened for them, you can simply post your chain to World of Power and we will happily sharpen the chain for you. Please see our web page for more information.
