Chainsaw Teeth Sharpener. Chainsaw tooth sharpener

When To Use a Chainsaw Teeth Sharpener?

Keeping your chain sharp is one of the most important parts of maintaining a safe and functional chainsaw. A dull or worn chain can get caught in wood, kicking the bar up into the air, one of the most frequent causes of chainsaw related injuries. Chainsaws are powerful and heavy tools that need to be taken proper care of, or else bad things can happen. Plus, not only are they an enormous safety hazard, but a worn-out chain will make your motor work harder and eat up more gas. It’s unsafe, it’s wasteful, and it ruins your tool. Don’t skip out on sharpening your chainsaw blade after regular use.

You can sharpen your chain with a file or an electric chainsaw grinder. If you have a square chain for big trees, there’s a special method for your chain called square filing.

When to Sharpen the Chain

A good rule of thumb is to sharpen your chain every time you put fuel into the chainsaw. You can tell if it’s time to sharpen if the saw starts to cut more slowly and starts throwing more dust rather than wood chips. If you have to force it, you probably need to sharpen it.

Equipment for Chainsaw Sharpening

Let’s start with the safety gear. As with any project involving sharp tools, you’ll want to wear gloves and eyeglasses even though you might not be cutting anything. Filing and sharpening can result in unexpected shrapnel finding its way loose from a worn blade, and it only takes one eye injury to cause life-changing damage.

Also, avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing or any jewelry. Even though the saw isn’t running, these things can snag in the chain and become damaged or even cause injury.

You’ll also need a chainsaw filing kit with a round file, a guide, and a device called a depth gauge measuring kit. Your chainsaw’s manufacturer can tell you about the angle you’ll sharpen to. You can typically find this information online if you don’t still have your owner’s manual. It’s also commonly found on the chain’s packaging.

Note: It’s important that you have a proper round file for chain sharpening. Do not use a rat-tail file as its tapered angle and rough grade will destroy your cutters.

Understanding Your Chain

There are three parts of your chainsaw blade that you’ll sharpen. There are semi-rounded edges that can be easily and quickly reshaped with a file. There is a piece called the depth gauge that looks like a small shark fin. This is what determines how far your chain slices into the wood. The angles of the pieces keep the cutters moving in a straight line.

Once the cutters start to wear down to the height of the depth gauge, you can still get some life out of your chain by filing down the depth gauge with a flat file and the guide included in your kit. Take a close look at the cutters before you file, however. If they are nicked or warped, filing them won’t improve the chain’s ability to cut. At that point, you’ll need to get a new chain instead.

Filing Properly

It’s important that you file at the correct angles, otherwise, you’re just going to ruin your sharpeners and need a new chain. Put your round file into the file guide and hold the file at a 30-degree angle to the chainsaw bar. It should be at a right angle vertically. Begin filing while keeping track of the number of strokes you use. It’s important to file each cutter or depth gauge the same number of times to ensure even wear and consistent performance.

To file properly, you’ll use an outward motion away from your body. The guide is designed to keep the file in place while cutting all of the teeth to the same shape and depth. To easily support the saw bar before sharpening, cut it into a log to hold it in place.

Using a Power Chainsaw Teeth Sharpener

While sharpening by hand is a critical skill, you can save a lot of time by using a rotary chainsaw sharpener. These are easy and safe to use, but you still want to be sure to take the safety measures discussed above.

To use your chainsaw teeth sharpener, simply press the grinding wheels against each cutter with the metal guide piece parallel to the provided angle, and turn on your sharpener. Apply a sideways motion and count to four as you move across the sharpener. Do this on each one with the same amount of pressure at the same angle to achieve a smooth and consistent sharpening and wear pattern on each one.

Whenever you notice that the depth gauges stick out above your guide, you know it’s time to file them down. Even with a power chainsaw teeth sharpener, it’s still recommended to work on the depth gauges by hand with a flat-file and your file guide. This will help you achieve the most consistent results and get the longest life out of your chain.

Timber Tuff Pro Chainsaw Sharpener

Important Tips about Chain Sharpening

At best, you can sharpen your cutters about 10 times before you need to replace the chain. However, if you’ve messed up your chain after just a few sharpenings, a technician who does sharpener work can often machine them back into the correct shape.

Keeping the same chain on your saw for too long can cause issues with the sprocket bar. For best results, it’s a good idea to regularly rotate between three or more properly-sharpened chains to avoid damaging your tool.

About Brandon Potters

Hi, I’m Brandon and I can’t express how excited I am that you chose The Saw Guy as your resource for project ideas, tool reviews, and all-around guide to the world of DIY. I spent years in the construction industry refining my knowledge of various trades and even spent a few years working at a major hardware store. ​If there is anyone who can help you make a well-informed, unbiased, budget-conscious decision, it’s me and my team.

Chainsaw Teeth Sharpener

One of the biggest problems we get with our CUTTING TOOLS is when the teeth aren’t sharp anymore. It takes time and effort for us to sharpen it so we can use it again.

Chainsaw Sharpener Tool is made of high quality and durable materials. It is installed inside the sharpener, keep the chain and the guide rod oiled, reducing friction and prolonging the service life. This Chainsaw Sharpener is lightweight and portable, easy to use outdoors. It’s a practical tool and best gift for father or husband to increase productivity.

Introducing the Chainsaw Teeth Sharpener. It gives the user the POWER to SHARPEN their chainsaw without DISMANTLING it. This tool PROVIDES a FAST, SIMPLE and PORTABLE method of SHARPENING chainsaw. The STONE is directly mounted into the sharpening tool for an EASY sharpening experience. In just THREE to FIVE seconds your chainsaw is sharp as if it is brand-new. Chainsaw Sharpener protects your hands from harm. Your hands don’t need to touch the whetstone, just squeeze the chain saw, the chainsaw can be sharpened in seconds.The upgraded design provides a quickly and easily method of saw chain sharpening.

HOW TO USE:

Chainsaw Teeth Sharpener is SAFE as the sharpener is enclosed in a box-like kit. It is very EASY and SIMPLE to use: just ATTACH the bar-mount sharpener to the sharp guide bar, the two holes on the top of the bar SECURES the chainsaw and makes a PERFECT ALIGNMENT for and EVEN result. Then just press the tip of the sharpener to a solid surface and allow it to AUTOMATICALLY sharpen your chainsaw in 3-5 seconds. If your chain has only one hole, you only need to remove the two-hole fitting, you can put the single-hole chain into the product.

• The use the sharpener, just insert the end of your blade into the sharpener
• close and lock it shut
• push the end of the sharpener against a log or tree, and just start running your blade.
• When the chain dulls, simply attach the bar-mount sharpener to the guide bar. Twin guide holes in the top of the bar make perfect alignment fool-proof.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

• This chainsaw sharpening kit comes with the unique sharpening attachment with the stone that will sharpen your chain in mere seconds. Suitable for 14/16/18/20 inch chain saw work.
• The quickness of the sharpener is music to our ears because it shouldn’t take forever to get back in the game and get cutting again. This precision saw chain sharpening system is not only quick, but also accurate. It will sharpen your dull chain in just 3-5 seconds. I know it sounds like magic, but it really works.
• There’s no doubt about it, this is the best thing you can buy for your chainsaw, especially if you like to put in more time working as opposed to more time sharpening. Why would you buy a regular chainsaw sharpener again? This is well worth the money.
• Press the tip of the sharpener to a solid surface for 3-5 seconds. Always wear proper protective gear when using power tools.

PACKAGE CONTENTS:

We truly believe we make some of the most innovative products in the world, and we want to make sure we back that up with a risk-free ironclad 60-day guarantee. We provide tracking numbers with every order and our shopping cart is SSL secured.

If you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to get in touch: support@debenhomes.com. We answer all queries within 24 hours.

A chainsaw with a dull, poorly maintained chain won’t cut cleanly or effectively—and it’s a safety hazard to boot. Follow these guidelines to sharpen a chainsaw and keep your trusty tool in good working order.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Like any other tool in your arsenal, a chainsaw must be properly and consistently maintained in order to perform effectively. Of course, you can hire a professional to sharpen your chainsaw, but most DIYers can learn how to sharpen a chainsaw in order to handle the job on their own and save some money in the process.

If you’ve noticed that your chainsaw no longer cuts as easily and cleanly as it once did, it’s a good time to learn how to sharpen the chainsaw blade and check for dull or sharpened teeth. If you’re unsure about how to proceed, read on to learn how to sharpen a chainsaw chain and keep the chainsaw blade in good working order.

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Chainsaw maintenance requires a basic understanding of the tool’s component parts. Most models owned by homeowners typically include the following parts:

• Engine
• Drive mechanism
• Guide bar
• Chain
• Heel
• Toe
• Notch
• Side plate
• Top plate
• Gullet
• Depth gauge
• Rivet hole

Choosing the Right Chainsaw File

Chainsaw files are made in specific sizes that match up to the size and shape of the chainsaw teeth. If the file is too large or too small then it can be difficult to properly sharpen the blade. While there are many sizes, the most popular file sizes are 4 millimeters, 4.8 millimeters, and 5.5 millimeters. Always check your user manual to be certain that you are using the correct file.

• 4 mm: This file size is typically paired with chainsaws that have a chain pitch of 0.25 of an inch. The code number to reference on the depth gauge is 1.
• 4.8 mm: The code number on the depth gauge is 2, which indicates that the chainsaw should be sharpened with a 4.8-millimeter file that’s suitable for the 0.325-inch chain pitch.
• 5.5 mm: Used with chainsaws that have a 0.404-inch chain pitch, this file size is noted by code number 4, located on the chainsaw depth gauge.

Sharpening a Chainsaw Chain

When a chainsaw is sharp it’s easier and safer to use the tool, minimizing wear and tear on the machine and improving overall efficiency. There are telltale signs to look for if a chainsaw chain needs to be sharpened. Take action and grab a sharpener ff you notice any of the following:

• Pay attention to the chainsaw debris. If the saw is spitting out dust instead of sharp wood chips then it likely needs sharpening.
• Similarly, if you find that you need to put more physical effort into cutting through wood, then this is a sign that the teeth on the chain are dull.
• Another indication that the chain needs sharpening is if the blade tends to pull to one side more than the other. You will need to sharpen the chainsaw chain to even up the cutting teeth.

How to Sharpen a Chainsaw

There are two approaches to sharpening a chainsaw: First, the task can be handled by means of an electric chainsaw sharpener. (If you fell trees frequently, electric chainsaw sharpeners are an indispensable convenience.) Another option is manual sharpening, using a combination of muscle, sweat, and sharpening files.

#614 Stihl 2 and 1 Chainsaw Sharpener, Quick Touchup, How well does it work?

Since electric sharpeners are used mainly by tradesmen, these tips FOCUS on the manual method of sharpening using a chainsaw sharpening tool, which is more common and accessible to DIYers.

Because the chainsaw chain comprises a series of teeth, you need a chainsaw file that precisely matches up with the size of an individual tooth in the chain. For reference, the most common sizes are 3/16-inch, 5/32-inch, and 7/32-inch.

Note: Consumer-friendly chainsaw sharpener file kits, like this Katzco chainsaw sharpener file kit, conveniently include everything you need to sharpen any common size.

STEP 1: Clean the chainsaw chain.

Once you’ve obtained a file of the correct size, put on appropriate safety equipment, like work gloves and safety glasses. Next, begin work by thoroughly cleaning the chain, removing all oil, dirt, and debris. Use an old towel and a screwdriver to do this. Depending on the condition of the chain, you may also need to use mineral spirits.

Inspect the chain as you’re cleaning it. If any of the teeth are damaged, the chain may be unsafe to use. Instead of proceeding to sharpen the chainsaw, you might first need to repaired or replace the chain.

STEP 2: Set the chain tension.

The chain on your chainsaw needs to be set to a specific tension in order to prevent problems while you work. A loose chainsaw chain increases the chance that the saw will kickback or that the chain will be thrown off the guide bar. A chain that is too tight may not move at all, or may increase the amount of friction between the parts and cause excess heat to build up. Overheated parts increase the risk of fire—and significantly reduce the parts’ lifespan.

To avoid this issue, set your chain tension by locating and adjusting the tensioning screw on the side or front of the saw, then turn the screw clockwise to increase the tension or counterclockwise to loosen the chain. Test the chain by pulling it from the underside of the guide bar so that one or two links pull away from the bar. Release the chain and it should snap directly into position, indicating that the chain is tight enough to use. If you cannot pull the chain away from the bar, it is too tight and needs to be loosened. If the chain does not snap back into position, it’s too loose and needs to be tightened.

STEP 3: Stabilize the chainsaw.

For best results, you need to firmly stabilize the chainsaw before attempting to file the chain. Some choose to place the chainsaw in a vise, with the clamps holding the guide bar in such a way that the chain can rotate freely. Alternatively, you can enlist a helper to keep the tool steady while you work.

STEP 4: Begin sharpening at the shortest cutter.

Locate the shortest cutter blade on the chain (the cutters are the ones with flat tops). This is where you should start with the chainsaw sharpener. If all of the cutters are the same height, then you can start with any tooth on the chain. However, remember to mark—with a pencil, marker, or even nail polish—the first one that you sharpen, so that you continue to work in the same chainsaw chain direction.

STEP 5: Stroke the teeth at an angle.

Set the file into the notched section at the head of the cutter. Holding the file at an angle—the same angle at which the notch was initially ground or most recently filed—slide the file across the teeth, twisting it somewhat so as to create friction as you stroke. Reference a chainsaw sharpening angle chart, for help determining the proper angle. From that initial cutter, proceed to file every second cutter around the chain.

STEP 6: Sharpen the other side of the chain.

Now reverse the saw and proceed to file each of the teeth that you left alone in the course of your first pass. When you’ve finished, the flat tops of all the cutters should be more or less precisely the same length.

STEP 7: Check your depth gauges.

Finally, inspect the depth gauges (these are the curved links between the cutters). Each depth gauge, or raker, should be shorter than the adjacent cutter. If you find a depth gauge with a height that exceeds its closest cutter, file down the raker so that it sits about 1/10 of an inch below the height of its cutter counterpart.

Working with an Electric Chainsaw Sharpener

If you are working with an electric chainsaw sharpener, then you will need to measure the pitch and gauge of the chain in order to determine the appropriate sharpening stone to use with the chainsaw, as well as the correct tooth angle.

Place the chainsaw chain on the sharpener and tighten the vise to hold the chain in place. Once you have all the angles set according to the grinding angles chart (typically included with an electric chainsaw sharpener), you can lower the grinding wheel to the chain in order to sharpen the current cutting tooth. Loosen the vise and slide the chain to line up the next cutting tooth, then tighten the vise and sharpen the tooth with the grinding wheel.

• Always measure the chainsaw chain and refer to the product manual for the correct sharpening setup.
• Make sure to set the wheel depth stop to prevent the grinding wheel from coming into contact with the chain chassis.
• Complete all right-hand cutting teeth in sequence, then all left-hand cutting teeth in sequence to avoid switching back and forth.

Maintaining Your Chainsaw Blade

Whether you use your chainsaw infrequently to cut firewood or you regularly head out to maintain the forested areas on the property, different chainsaws operate slightly differently and have different maintenance requirements. Study the manual that came with your chainsaw to understand the needs of your specific model.

It’s almost invariably true that every part of a chainsaw either must have or would benefit from lubrication with a petroleum-based bar and chain oil. This involves simply pouring the lubricating oil into the saw’s chain oil reservoir, where the oil is gradually dispersed to help keep the saw functioning properly while you work.

• Occasionally inspect the motor and chain, adding lubrication when necessary.
• Confirm on a regular basis that there’s a sufficient quantity of oil in the tool’s reservoir.
• Check the guide bar, which holds the chain in place. It can become twisted or bent during use.
• Avoid problems by ensuring the integrity of the guide bar before you start up your chainsaw, each and every time. Even while you’re working, it’s wise to occasionally spot-check this crucial part of what is, after all, a powerful and potentially dangerous tool.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to sharpen a chainsaw, bear in mind that the more frequently you use the tool, the more often it’s going to need maintenance. If you are using the chainsaw for hours on end over the course of a day, you may need to pause at some point in order to restore the chain’s sharpness. Some chainsaws are likely to show wear in specific areas more than others. Pay special attention to the area near the tip of the saw, particularly if you often use it for cutting tree limbs.

Learning how to sharpen a chainsaw isn’t difficult, making it a great task for avid DIYers. Just make sure that you wear appropriate safety equipment while cutting and sharpening. Consider using safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and chainsaw chaps to help protect you from cuts and punctures.

FAQs About Sharpening a Chainsaw

Learning how to sharpen a chainsaw is a helpful skill set for frequent users, reducing the tool’s downtime. While it’s a straightforward process, there are many questions that users ask. Below are answers to some of the most popular questions about sharpening a chainsaw.

Q: How tight should a chainsaw chain be?

To check the tension of a chainsaw chain, pull one or two links of the chain down from the underside of the bar. Release the chain and it should snap back into place.

If the chain is too tight, then you won’t be able to pull the chain away from the bar. However, if the chain is too loose, then it will remain slack. Tighten or loosen the chain with the tensioning screws located on the front or side of the chainsaw.

Q: When do you know it’s time to replace a chainsaw chain?

If you regularly sharpen and properly maintain your chainsaw, then it should be easy to notice when it’s time to replace the chain. Look for clear signs of overuse or tool failure, such as severe dents in the chain, rusting, uneven cuts, and a chainsaw blade that regularly overheats and smokes while in use.

Q: How long should a chainsaw blade stay sharp?

The duration of time between sharpenings really depends on the amount that the saw is used. A chainsaw may only need to be sharpened once a year if it is rarely used, but a tool that is frequently used will need to be sharpened regularly to ensure that the blade doesn’t get too dull. On average, a chainsaw blade will retain its sharpness for about 3 hours of actively cutting through wood.

Q: Why does my chainsaw blade dull so quickly?

There are several reasons why a chainsaw blade may dull quickly. Some common ways are from overuse, steep angled cutting teeth, cutting through dirty wood, or working with difficult wood like hickory, ironwood, and black oak.

Q: How often should you flip the bar on a chainsaw?

Depending on the amount that the chainsaw is used, you can opt to flip the bar at the end of every use while cleaning up, or you can keep the bar in the same position until it comes time to replace the chainsaw blade. As long as the bar gets flipped semi-regularly to help even out the wear-and-tear on the tool, the frequency with which it is flipped isn’t as important.

Sharpen Your Chainsaw: Three “Tried-and-True” Methods

The chainsaw is arguably the greatest time and labor-saving power tool ever invented, especially when compared to its predecessor, the axe. But even the largest, most powerful chainsaw won’t cut with a dull saw chain. The good news is that unlike most other power cutting tools, you can sharpen a chainsaw to like-new condition in just a few minutes.

Here, I’ll discuss three do-it-yourself options for sharpening a chainsaw, starting with the simplest method: using a file. Then, for those looking for a faster, easier way, I’ll show two power tools specifically designed for chainsaw sharpening.

However, before getting into specific sharpening techniques, let’s take a quick look at how you can tell if your chainsaw is dull.

Signs of a Dull Chain

Chainsaws are so powerful and cut so aggressively that it’s not always obvious when the saw chain needs sharpening. A sharp chainsaw cuts smoothly and quickly with little effort. The first sign of dulling is when the saw cuts noticeably slower. The next indication is when you must apply excessive pressure to force the saw through the cut. As the chain continues to get duller, the more slowly it cuts and the more pressure you must apply. That not only puts undue stress on the saw motor, but it could cause the saw to kick back toward the user.

Here’s another telltale sign that your chainsaw needs sharpening: Examine the wood being expelled by the saw. A sharp chainsaw sprays out thin shavings. A dull saw spews out fine wood dust.

In ideal conditions, a chainsaw can remain sharp for four to six hours, even longer in some cases. However, it can become dull in less than 10 minutes when cutting dirt-covered logs or wood that’s extremely hard or dry. When slicing up a felled tree, be careful not to let the tip of the bar hit the ground. Nothing dulls a chainsaw faster than sawing into dirt and rocks. And if you notice that the saw chain has cutting teeth that are badly nicked, bent or missing, replace it with a brand new saw chain.

Now let’s talk about how to sharpen a dull saw chain.

Method 1. Sharpen your chain with a hand file

Look closely at the saw chain, and you’ll see a series of teeth with sharpened semicircular cutting edges. The diameter of the edges varies from one saw to the next, but is typically 5/32 inch, 3/16 in. or 7/32 in. To sharpen these curved edges, use an appropriate diameter round file. Also, notice that the tops of the cutting teeth are ground at alternating angles, meaning one tooth angles to the left, the next to the right.

In between each cutting tooth is a flat piece of metal that’s shaped somewhat like a shark’s dorsal fin. These pieces called, rakers, are slightly shorter in height than the cutting teeth. Rakers don’t require sharpening; their purpose is to act as depth gauges to control how deeply the teeth cut into the wood. Without rakers, the teeth would cut much too aggressively for the saw motor—and user—to handle.

As mentioned above, you can sharpen the saw chain with a round file, but to ensure consistent, accurate results, mount the file in a sharpening guide. The guide serves two purposes: It provides a flat surface for resting the file on the saw chain, and it controls the depth that the file can cut. Stamped into the top surface of the guide are angled lines that correspond to the pitch—or cutting angle—of the saw chain teeth. Sharpening guides are sold at most home-improvement stores for about 10; a two-pack of round files will cost another 7 or so.

Round file shown installed in a sharpening guide.

Before sharpening, you need two specifications: the diameter of the semi-circular cutting edges on the saw chain, and the pitch—or rake angle—of those cutting edges. Both pieces of information are available in the chainsaw owner’s manual or by the manufacturer of the saw chain. Select a round file that matches the diameter of the semi-circular edges on the cutting teeth. Important: Be sure to use a round file, not a rat-tail file, which tapers across its length.

Once you’re ready to get started, follow these steps:

• Loosen the thumbscrews on the sharpening guide and slide the round file beneath the two metal hold-down clamps. Tighten the screws to secure the file in the guide.
• Engage the chain brake and clamp the chainsaw’s steel bar in a vise. Use an indelible marker to mark the first cutting tooth to be sharpened. This will act as a visual reminder to let you know where you started sharpening.
• Set the sharpening guide on top of the saw chain with the file resting against one of the semi-circular cutting edges. Adjust the guide until the angled lines stamped onto the top of the guide are parallel with the saw’s steel bar.
• Now, while maintaining that angle, push the file forward across the cutting tooth.
• Repeat five or six more times, using slow, steady strokes. Keep count of how many strokes you make across the first tooth, and make the same number of filing strokes across all the other teeth. When properly sharpened, the entire curved cutting edge of the tooth should be clean and shiny.
• After sharpening the first tooth, skip the next one, and file the tooth after that. Remember, the sharpening angle on the saw teeth alternate to the left and right. Therefore, it’s best to sharpen every other tooth, so you won’t have to keep changing the filing angle back and forth.
• Continue in this manner, filing every other tooth, until you’ve worked your way back to the starting point on the saw chain.
• Now, move around to the other side of the bar, and start filing the teeth that you skipped on the first go-around.

File sharpening may feel awkward at first, but you’ll get comfortable after awhile. Once you’ve perfected this technique, you’ll be able to sharpen a chainsaw in less than 15 minutes.

Note that after the saw chain has been sharpened several times, the cutting teeth will eventually be at the same height or lower than the rakers. When that happens, the rakers will prevent the cutting teeth from reaching the wood. To regain a cutting edge, use a flat file with sharpening guide to file down the height of each raker.

This sharpening kit includes a handle, two guides, assorted round files and a flat file.

Method 2. Use a portable power sharpener

A cordless rotary tool fitted with a cylindrical grinding stone and sharpening guide provides a quick way to sharpen chainsaws.

Filing is fine, but power sharpening is quicker and much more fun. There are two types of portable power tools that make quick work of chainsaw sharpening. The first is a rotary tool, commonly called a Dremel tool, which accepts a chainsaw sharpening accessory. The accessory kit includes a cylindrical grinding stone and an alignment guide that clamps onto the tool. Note that rotary tools are available in both corded electric and cordless versions.

The second portable power tool option is an electric grinder that’s specifically designed to do just one thing: sharpen chainsaws, which it does it very quickly and very well. The tool comes in kit form with various-size grinding stones and a metal sharpening guide that mounts onto the nose of the tool.

This portable electric grinder is specifically designed for sharpening chainsaws. It includes three sizes of grinding stones to fit virtually any saw chain.

The rotary tool and the dedicated chainsaw sharpener both do an excellent job of sharpening saw chain. If you already own a rotary tool, then consider getting the sharpening accessory kit, which can also be used to sharpen lawnmower blades, grass shears, axes and other tools. Otherwise, the dedicated grinder is a Smart investment, especially if you frequently sharpen your chainsaw.

Method 3. Use a benchtop sharpener

Get consistent, professional results with a benchtop chainsaw sharpener.

If you use a chainsaw year-round, or if you own more than one chainsaw, then you can save a significant amount of time and energy by sharpening the saw chains with a bench-mounted sharpener. This style sharpener delivers most accurate, consistent results.

The tool operates a bit like a power miter saw, only instead of a woodcutting blade, it’s equipped with a 4½-in.-diameter grinding wheel. The wheel tilts up to 35 degrees left and right to accommodate the most common saw-chain cutting angles. Here’s how to file with one:

• Start by clamping or screwing the tool to your workbench.
• Next, remove the saw chain from the saw and set it into the tool’s vice.
• Adjust the grinder to the proper angle.
• Squeeze the trigger and pull down on the upper handle until the spinning wheel contacts the cutting tooth on the saw chain. It only takes two or three seconds to sharpen the tooth.
• Release the clamp, reposition the saw chain and repeat.
• As with filing, sharpen every other tooth, then readjust the grinding angle and sharpen the remaining alternate-angle teeth.

A benchtop sharpener is certainly the quickest, most accurate way to sharpen a saw chain, but just as importantly it makes it nearly impossible to ruin a saw chain by grinding away too much material.

Regardless of which tool or technique you use, keep the saw chain sharp and your chainsaw will last longer, perform better and cut quicker and more safely.

About the author: DIY expert Joseph Truini writes for The Home Depot. He has also written several home improvement books. Joseph share his knowledge and experience on everything from how to use an electric chainsaw sharpener to building a composter.