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If you’re wondering how to sharpen a chain saw blade, there are several ways you can do it. You can either file the tooth with a flat file or use a rotary sharpening tool. File sharpening is easier when you have a file guide that holds the round file at a consistent depth while sharpening the tooth. Using a rotary sharpening tool is a good alternative if you’re short on time and don’t have the right equipment.
File cutting tooth in one smooth stroke
There are several important things to keep in mind when you’re filing the teeth on a chain saw. The first step is to hold the file in a proper angle relative to the cutting edge of the tooth. Then, add pressure in the curve of the sawtooth, not at the base. This will remove burrs and give the cutting edge a sharp, level edge. The next step is to repeat this process until you’ve reached the guide tooth, which is at the center of the saw chain.
To file the teeth of a chainsaw, you must first set the blade on a level surface, then place a filing gauge at a right angle to the saw. Once the saw is stable, hold the handle with one hand and move the file past the cutting tooth with the other. File from the inside to the outside of the blade. After you’ve finished filing, re-sharpen the saw with the other hand.
When sharpening the cutting teeth of a chain saw, it’s important to keep in mind that the cutting teeth are arranged in two directions – the opposite of the raker – so the raker side is facing the cutting teeth and vice versa. Sharpening the teeth in this order is the best way to achieve a smooth cut every time. You can buy a micrometer for around $10 to $20 at a hardware store or online.
File every other tooth on the chainsaw in one smooth stroke. Be careful not to file the teeth that are adjacent to each other, because this can ruin the sharpness of the cutting edge. When using a sharpening guide, it’s a good idea to set it against the cutting tooth, and adjust it until the angled lines parallel the steel bar. Then, push the guide against the cutting tooth and follow this method to sharpen the rest of the teeth.
If you want to be a master at filing chain saw teeth, you’ll need to file them according to certain angles. This is different for every chain. It’s important to use a filing gauge to ensure that you’re following the right angle of the cutting tooth and not filing it too deeply. Excessive filing can lead to blunting the chainsaw teeth and even produce a hook, which will put unnecessary strain on the saw and increase vibrations on the user.
File holding tooth at a uniform depth
For proper sharpening, a combination file guide 11 with a supplementary file 37 is used. A typical chain saw includes a chain saw quide bar having a peripheral groove and a pair of cutting teeth 61 interconnected by driving links 63. The file can be repositioned periodically during use to provide uniform depth of cutting edge. This method of chain saw sharpening has many advantages.
The first step in sharpening a chain saw blade is to find the right angle for the tooth. Generally, people tend to apply pressure to the base of the tooth. To avoid this, it is advisable to apply pressure to the curve of the sawtooth. This way, burrs will be removed. The next step is to make level, smooth passes with the file.
The file should be of the correct diameter. The common chain saw cutter diameters are 5/32 in, 3/16 in, and 7/32 in. If you are not sure what size to choose, check the chain identification number on the drive link. Small-engine dealers have charts that will match the chain identification number to the correct file diameter. The rattail file is the standard type and has coarse teeth. The depth gauge should be reset occasionally to prevent it from changing too quickly.
After completing this step, follow the previous steps to ensure a perfect sharpening. A simple cardboard or wood piece is an excellent angle guide for chain saw sharpening. It will ensure that the plate angles are correct and the files are holding the tooth at an uniform depth. It is also essential to mark the cutter with a felt tip pen to ensure proper filing action. If the file leaves a streak of color on the surface, the file has not been used correctly.
To ensure the accuracy of the sharpening, it is important to ensure the correct height of the depth gauge and the cutter itself. If the depth gauge is too high, you must lower the hump and adjust the filing gauge to level with the filing gauge. Once you have done this, you can go ahead with sharpening the chain saw blade. When you are finished, you can start using it again.
File holding tooth in a vise
To sharpen chain saw blades, you must have a file and a vise. The file should be held in the correct angle. To hold it in the proper angle, you can make a guide out of a piece of cardboard and clamp it at the top of the vise. You must also be sure to apply pressure on the base of each tooth while filing. Most blade manufacturers score the cutting teeth with a line. Use this line to ensure that the file cuts the tooth at a correct angle. Repeat this process for about five to six strokes until the tooth is smooth and shiny.
Put on gloves and position the saw in the right place. The chain brake must be loose but should not be loosened. Next, place the file on the cutting tooth and push it across with slow, steady strokes. You should note down how many times you filed the tooth, from the outside to the inside. After this, you should check that the teeth are sharpened. If you are satisfied with the results, repeat the process to sharpen the rest of the teeth.
When you sharpen the chain saw blade with a file, keep in mind that it is very important to hold the tooth correctly. The file should only cut the cutting tooth when pushed forward and pulled back. If the file touches the tooth on the way back, it will ruin the sharp edge. The file thickness should be 20% of its diameter above the cutting tooth. Ideally, you should keep a file 4/5 of its diameter inside the cutting tooth and one fifth above it. In this way, the cutting tooth will retain its current shape.
To sharpen the chain saw blade using file, the chainsaw should be secured in the vise. After securing the saw, remove the clamp holding the chainsaw. Then, start applying pressure to the file holding the tooth in the vise. Then, lift the file off the cutter on the backstroke. Eventually, you will have a sharp chainsaw blade.
Using a rotary tool to sharpen a chainsaw blade
A chainsaw has a series of teeth that are sharpened on both sides. The cutting edges of each tooth are usually a fraction of an inch in diameter, but varying from saw to saw can be a fraction of an inch or larger. The cutting teeth are ground at alternating angles, and each successive sharpening process decreases the distance between the cutting edge and the top of the depth gauge.
The Dremel comes with a guide to sharpening chainsaw blades, which keeps it level and at the correct angle. The guide guides the sharpening process, ensuring that every tooth receives an even, sharp edge. This is necessary for straight, clean cuts. Using a chainsaw with the same-direction teeth will result in straighter cuts. The guide will show you how to sharpen each tooth on the chainsaw. To sharpen the chainsaw blade by hand, use a pair of gloves.
The rotary tool can also be used to sharpen the chain of a chainsaw. Using the rotary tool is faster than using a chainsaw-specific sharpening machine. The Dremel is equipped with a cylindrical grinding stone and an alignment guide. Chainsaw sharpening kits are readily available and affordable. You can choose a corded or cordless version.
When sharpening tools, safety is the most important factor. The Dremel is compact, powerful, and versatile, so you can achieve professional-level results with it. The Dremel is perfect for sharpening chainsaws. To use it effectively, you need to protect yourself from the specs of iron while using it. Wearing safety goggles is a must, as are working gloves.
Before you start sharpening your chainsaw blade, you must first remove the chain and the blade from the saw. If the chainsaw has a metal shaft, you may need to sharpen the blade. If you choose to sharpen with the Dremel, use a stone with the same diameter as the chainsaw blade. If you don’t want to spend money on a new sharpening stone, you can always use a diamond chainsaw sharpener instead. They’re cheap and will last three times as long as a Dremel sharpening stone.
