We sharpen the chainsaw chain ourselves with a file

Than manual sharpening is inferior to machine

• Difficulty keeping the required angle. You don’t need to think that you can sharpen the chainsaw chain with just one round file; for this operation you will need at least a special guide and a second flat file.
• Low speed of the operation. It is necessary to fix the guide on the tooth, manipulate with a round file, check the gap of the limiter, if it is necessary to correct it with a flat file, and only then proceed to the next tooth.
• The need for experience. Despite the various helpers for sharpening a chainsaw by hand, first of all you need to feel the process, and this requires some experience.

How to sharpen a chain on a chainsaw with your own hands

A person who has a chainsaw in his household should know how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with his own hands. There are several ways:

• Sharpening with a file (the most common method of sharpening, as it allows you to sharpen the tool directly at the cutting site.)
• Sharpening using a special machine (this method is used in service centers, but can also be used on a personal farm)
• Sharpen using an angle grinder. To sharpen in this way, certain skills are required. Uncommon method, because it is quite difficult to sharpen with an angle grinder correctly.

In this video, you can familiarize yourself with the sharpening process, the most popular methods and tools used for this.

Stages of work for manual sharpening at home

• The bar with the chain is fixed with a vise so that its upper line is in a horizontal position.
• Take the shortest tooth as a reference point and mark it with a marker or nitro enamel.
• The body of the round file is brought under the main cutting edge, pressing it to the corner along the entire mowing line and at the same time pressing the holder against the surface of the tooth. Thanks to the holder, the round file will automatically take the desired position, protruding in relation to the upper plane of the chainsaw tooth.
• With confident even movements from oneself, without changing the feed angle, two or three times are filed along the beveled surface of the upper cutting edge.
• Rotate the file along its axis so that the development of an abrasive surface does not occur, and repeat the operation until the tooth sharpens.
• After that, using a chain sharpening template, check the height of the limiter and, if necessary, grind it with a flat file.
• Then, through one tooth, the entire cycle of operations is repeated until they reach the originally marked tooth.
• Turn the tire over with the opposite side and sharpen all the other teeth of the chainsaw through one.

Sharpening the chain with an angle grinder

For the operation you will need:

• angle grinder, preferably slightly powerful and large;
• cutting wheel for metal of the corresponding diameter and thickness of 2-3 mm;
• vise or clamp to firmly secure the angle grinder to the table.

The angle grinder is clamped in a vice so that the disc is located strictly vertically, without a protective cover, in the direction of the operator. Sparks must fly towards the operator, therefore protective clothing and goggles must be worn to work. the angle grinder is turned on and, observing the angle, each link of the chainsaw chain is sharpened by eye.

We strongly advise against using this method of sharpening the tool. It can be very traumatic. When the metal of the tooth overheats (blackening), the latter becomes more fragile.

Sharpening angle grinder

Professionals consider this work to be primitive. There is a risk of tire damage, and not only.

Process (seemingly easy, but really difficult)

• The chain also stays on the bus;
• We attach a metal cutting disc with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm to an angle grinder. It is advisable to take not a new one, that is, with a worn edge;
• We put an obstacle in front of the chain and the tire (the chip will come off);
• We carry out sharpening at the desired angle;
• Upon completion of work, the chain must be properly tightened.

With a professional approach and a “full hand”, the number of sharpenings in this case can be more than 7.

“For a beginner, it is better not to“ experiment ”with a saw, a chain, etc. with your body parts! “

Advantages of the method: Fast, cheap and does not take up energy;

Disadvantages: Requires special skills, a steady hand and the ability to comply with safety techniques.

3 ways to sharpen your chainsaw chain with your own hands

Learn how to properly sharpen your chainsaw chain at home using a file, angle grinder and machine. A detailed video of the do-it-yourself sharpening process. We will show you how to work correctly with tools and devices.

It is very convenient to work with a chainsaw. Despite the fact that the unit weighs 5-7 kilograms, or even more, cutting a tree trunk into logs, you simply wonder how quickly this happens, and there is practically no fatigue. But then the moment comes when it is harder and harder for the tool blade to enter the wood. There is only one diagnosis. the saw is dull, so it is required to sharpen the chainsaw chain.

Whoever comes across this for the first time is a little upset, because it is not clear: to do it yourself or to give the instrument to the specialists in the workshop. And what is the general sharpening method? But in fact, there is nothing wrong with that, and if you have knowledge, you can easily sharpen chainsaw chains with your own hands. The correct strategy for solving the issue in this case directly depends on the load of the unit.

If the chainsaw is used from time to time, several times a year, then it may not make sense to buy a special sharpening machine or accessories, it is easier to solve the problem by using the services of a service center. But if a chainsaw is a means of earning or there is a desire to master the sharpening process yourself, then you should definitely purchase a sharpener or a machine tool and manually carry out this simple manipulation with the chain. Let’s see below what the correct sharpening of the chainsaw chain is based on.

Description of the sharpening process with files

The first thing to start with straightening the saw chain on the saw is placing the tool on a flat surface or table. In forest conditions, a large diameter chock is well suited for this. Next, you need to inspect the saw chain for any defects, it can be cracks, completely broken off teeth. After inspection, you need to set the brake in working condition, thereby blocking its movement on the tire.

The chain must be taut when sharpening with a file.

It is advisable to put a stand under the tire, as it you can use a log, a piece of a branch of a suitable diameter, or the manufacturers of sharpening tools have special clamps to hold the bar in the process of sharpening the chain.

The chain is sharpened by moving the file from the inside of the tooth to the outside. In this case, the file should be located parallel to the special mark on the chain. This mark is applied by the chain manufacturer to indicate the standard sharpening angle.

The sharpened tooth should be located approximately in the middle of the tire, this is necessary for the convenience of work, during the sharpening process, you need to move the chain along the tire, not forgetting to set the brake to the working position each time.

Work on sharpening the chain on a chainsaw must be carried out using gloves made of coarse material, otherwise it is quite easy to injure yourself, because the working surface of the teeth is very sharp.

Ideally, manufacturers advise to make the same number of file movements for each tooth, but in practice this is not always possible. teeth have different degrees of damage to the working edge.

To facilitate sharpening the saw chain with a file, special holders with corner markings can be used. The markings are made not only for the standard cross-cut, but also for the longitudinal.

Tool holders are also handy if you don’t have sufficient sharpening experience. Experienced sharpeners do not use holders for sharpening, but can only use special devices that support the file.

Another device designed for sharpening is a manual saw chain straightener. It uses a regular file as a sharpening tool, which can be replaced independently. The machine is mounted directly on the tire, it also has the ability to adjust the angle of sharpening of the tooth and a special stop that holds the sharpened tooth.

Manual sharpening machine, perfect for beginners. Along with electric models of sharpening machines, manual has its undeniable plus in the form of a low price. Depending on the manufacturer of the hand-held machine, their appearance may differ, but the principle of operation is the same for all.

The depth of cut is adjusted with a flat file, so that there is a difference between the upper cutting edge of the tooth and the height stop.

As you can see from the figure, the depth gauge is grinded in such a way as to bring the gap indicator to the factory value. Below is a table showing the main values ​​of the angles, as well as the clearances for the most common types of chains.

As a rule, the size of the gap is adjusted using a special die. It is installed on the chain during sharpening, after which the depth gauge is grinded.

Sharpening with a file

The first thing you need in order to sharpen the chain, or tweak it a little, are special files.

Method 2

In this case, it is the angle grinder that needs to be fixed immovably. Can be clamped in a vise or screwed to a workbench with a bracket. Sharpening is done as on a conventional grinding wheel. We hold the chain with our hands and turn it so that the tooth sharpens at an angle of 30 °.
With this method, hands are less tired, since you need to hold the chain, and not the angle grinder. However, the chance of getting injured increases dramatically. We recommend using this method infrequently or not at all, since safety is still more important than speed or quality of sharpening.

Sharpening the chain with a file

This type of sharpening can be used directly in the field. It requires a round file, a holder for it (clamp) and a vise for clamping the tire.

To sharpen with a file, you need to perform the following manipulations:

• Clamp the tire in a vice. If you are in landing and did not take a vise with you, then you can clamp the tire by resting it on the log.
• Place the clip with the file on the chain so that it creates an angle of 30 °.
• With light movements forward (away from yourself), we sharpen the tooth. With a new file, it is enough to make 5. 7 movements. If the file has already been used several times, then more movements will be required.
• After the tooth has been sharpened, remove the file with a clip and scroll the chain to the next tooth. After passing all the right teeth, turn the saw (or change the position of the file) and sharpen the left teeth.

Some file holders have a filed template on which the turning angle is already indicated. So you do not have to “figure out” this angle. But from experience we will say that you need to practice well until it turns out to sharpen the chain perfectly smoothly with a file.

Saw chain sharpening methods

There are three ways to sharpen your saw chain effectively:

• File.
• Angle Grinder.
• Sharpening machine.

Chain design

The saw chain consists of the following elements:

• Left cutting tooth.
• Right cutting tooth.
• Cutting depth stop.
• Leading link.
• Rivet.

In order for the chain to saw well, it is necessary to sharpen each tooth on the left and right sides. However, in order not to spoil the sharpening, it is important to know what shape our teeth on the chain are. There are two common forms of saw teeth:

• Chipper. This is the more common tooth shape and is found in almost all chains. Here the profile is somewhat rounded, so it is much easier to sharpen it with a round file. In practice, however, the chipper dulls a little faster than the chisel.
• Chisel. The cutter profile in this case looks like a seven. Such a cutter has a rather small contact area when it comes into contact with wood, so it encounters less resistance. For this reason, in one cut, it makes a greater depth of cut, which means that the speed of cutting a log will be higher (in comparison with a chipper). But sharpening it without damaging the edge is much more difficult.

How to sharpen a chainsaw chain with your own hands: 3 proven methods

The quality of sawing wood with a chainsaw largely depends on the sharpness of the chain. How to sharpen a chainsaw chain with your own hands at home? We will tell you about three good ways.

The speed and quality of sawing wood with a chain saw depends on the sharpness of the chain. It needs to be sharpened from time to time. How can this be done? We will tell you about three reliable ways in which you can sharpen a chain with your own hands. One of them allows you to sharpen the chain right in the field, while the other two require a special tool and electricity.

Method 1

We install the chainsaw on the table, and clamp the tire with a vice so that it does not move during operation. We set low revolutions on the angle grinder (if there is only smooth adjustment, then slightly press the start button). We direct the disc at an angle of 30 ° relative to the plane of the tooth and tilt it slightly (as shown in the photo). Press on the tooth with light, soft movements.

With this method, the main thing is not to overheat the tooth and not to grind off too much metal. Ditching teeth, sharpening in this way, is much easier than with a hand file, but the sharpening speed increases significantly.

Chain sharpening angle grinder

If you have an angle grinder, you can sharpen your chainsaw chain much faster. It is best to use a small, 125-disc angle grinder. Sharpening is done at low speeds. There are two ways to sharpen an angle grinder.

Chain straightening with a sharpening machine

Straightening the chain with a sharpening machine is one of the most convenient, fast and high-quality at home. True, you will have to purchase a machine, which costs about 2,000. 3,000 rubles, but you will forget about problems with chains.

The sharpening machines have a chain holder (1) with a blocker, with which you can fix the chain. It also allows you to set the horizontal chain sharpening angle in the range from 0 ° to 40 °. We put a chain on it and set the angle we need. Then, using the lever (2), we adjust the angle of inclination of the grinding wheel, that is, at what angle it will go under the tooth. Before starting sawing, lower the blade onto the chain and set the stopper (4) in the desired position so that during operation do not lower it further and cut the chain. Sharpen each right tooth, then turn the holder with chain 180 ° and sharpen each left tooth.

The advantage of this method is that even an inexperienced operator can sharpen. Also, the machine has a protective cover (3), which will prevent injury during operation. However, as we have already said, you will have to spend a little money on the purchase of the machine. If you need a good model, but don’t want to pay extra for big names, take the Champion C2001, which is by far the best budget model.

Power tools for working with wood:

How to sharpen a chainsaw chain with your own hands

Everyone knows that the saw chain, which is used in chainsaws, needs to be sharpened periodically, but not everyone knows how to do it correctly. Determining that the saw requires sharpening the chain is very simple, for this you need to inspect the sawdust, and if they consist of fine dust, then the tool needs to be sharpened. If sharpening is impossible, it is worth replacing it with a new one.

The use of a chain that is not sharpened can lead to overheating of the engine and the formation of scoring on the cylinder.

We will analyze the main ways with which you can, without problems, sharpen the chain on a chainsaw.

• How to sharpen a chain on a chainsaw with your own hands
• Sharpening with a file
• File
• Description of the sharpening process with files
• Electric grinding machines
• How to sharpen with an angle grinder (angle grinder)

Description of the sharpening process with files

The first thing to start with straightening the saw chain on the saw is placing the tool on a flat surface or table. In forest conditions, a large diameter chock is well suited for this. Next, you need to inspect the saw chain for any defects, it can be cracks, completely broken off teeth. After inspection, you need to set the brake in working condition, thereby blocking its movement on the tire.

The chain must be taut when sharpening with a file.

It is advisable to put a stand under the tire, as it you can use a log, a piece of a branch of a suitable diameter, or the manufacturers of sharpening tools have special clamps to hold the bar in the process of sharpening the chain.

The chain is sharpened by moving the file from the inside of the tooth to the outside. In this case, the file should be located parallel to the special mark on the chain. This mark is applied by the chain manufacturer to indicate the standard sharpening angle.

The sharpened tooth should be located approximately in the middle of the tire, this is necessary for the convenience of work, during the sharpening process, you need to move the chain along the tire, not forgetting to set the brake to the working position each time.

Work on sharpening the chain on a chainsaw must be carried out using gloves made of coarse material, otherwise it is quite easy to injure yourself, because the working surface of the teeth is very sharp.

Ideally, manufacturers advise to make the same number of file movements for each tooth, but in practice this is not always possible. teeth have different degrees of damage to the working edge.

To facilitate sharpening the saw chain with a file, special holders with corner markings can be used. The markings are made not only for the standard cross-cut, but also for the longitudinal.

Tool holders are also handy if you don’t have sufficient sharpening experience. Experienced sharpeners do not use holders for sharpening, but can only use special devices that support the file.

Another device designed for sharpening is a manual saw chain straightener. It uses a regular file as a sharpening tool, which can be replaced independently. The machine is mounted directly on the tire, it also has the ability to adjust the angle of sharpening of the tooth and a special stop that holds the sharpened tooth.

Manual sharpening machine, perfect for beginners. Along with electric models of sharpening machines, manual has its undeniable plus in the form of a low price. Depending on the manufacturer of the hand-held machine, their appearance may differ, but the principle of operation is the same for all.

The depth of cut is adjusted with a flat file, so that there is a difference between the upper cutting edge of the tooth and the height stop.

As you can see from the figure, the depth gauge is grinded in such a way as to bring the gap indicator to the factory value. Below is a table showing the main values ​​of the angles, as well as the clearances for the most common types of chains.

As a rule, the size of the gap is adjusted using a special die. It is installed on the chain during sharpening, after which the depth gauge is grinded.

How to sharpen a chain on a chainsaw with your own hands

A person who has a chainsaw in his household should know how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with his own hands. There are several ways:

• Sharpening with a file (the most common method of sharpening, as it allows you to sharpen the tool directly at the cutting site.)
• Sharpening using a special machine (this method is used in service centers, but can also be used on a personal farm)
• Sharpen using an angle grinder. To sharpen in this way, certain skills are required. Uncommon method, because it is quite difficult to sharpen with an angle grinder correctly.

In this video, you can familiarize yourself with the sharpening process, the most popular methods and tools used for this.

Sharpening with a file

The first thing you need in order to sharpen the chain, or tweak it a little, are special files.

File

For sharpening and straightening saw chains, two types of files are used. The first is a round file with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the rounding of the working edge of the saw tooth.

For sharpening saw chains of household tools, round files with a diameter of 4, 4.8 mm are used, due to the fact that they have a small tooth. For professional models, more powerful chains with a larger tooth are used, and accordingly files with a diameter of 5.2, 5.5 mm are needed.

In order to sharpen correctly, it is not enough to sharpen only the cutting edges of the tooth; it is also necessary to adjust the cutting depth limiter. If this is not done, the chain will not cut into the material being cut to the required depth, which will noticeably reduce the speed of work and, just like in a situation with a blunt chain, can lead to overheating of the saw motor due to insufficient load on the motor. This work is done with a flat file.

Electric grinding machines

For straightening a large number of chains, as a rule, in service centers or in manufacturing plants, electric sharpening machines are used. Depending on the manufacturer, the design of the machines may differ, but they have the same principle of operation.

The saw chain is installed in a special guide, which is mounted on the basis of the turntable and has a special retainer to hold the sharpened tooth. The latch is able to move horizontally. An electric emery is installed at an adjustable angle to the sharpened tooth, which is turned on by the operator by pressing the start button. The immersion depth of the emery, as well as the angle at which the sharpening is performed, can be adjusted. The dive itself is performed by the operator. The chain is straightened with a special grinding wheel, which can be changed if necessary.

How to sharpen with an angle grinder (angle grinder)

The method of sharpening the saw chain using an angle grinder, the least common due to its insecurity. In order to straighten the chain teeth using an angle grinder as a sharpening tool, it is necessary to install it in a vice and clamp it securely. Then the tool is switched on and the sharpened edge of the tooth is placed on the rotating surface of the disc. A tooth sharpened in this way can differ significantly from that sharpened with a file, because in the process of dressing using an angle grinder, it is rather difficult to control the sharpening angle.

A big disadvantage can be considered the possibility of a notch with an angle grinder with an angle grinder of the eyelet for attaching the connecting link of the chain, which in the future will lead to a rupture during work. If, in the process of carrying out work using a chainsaw, the need arose for sharpening, it is better to use a special tool than to come up with various tricks that can result not only in financial losses, but cause serious injuries during their implementation.

Sharpening the chain is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Any person, after studying the process of straightening chains, is able to sharpen the cutting set of his tool on his own. Even if the first time you manage to do it not very well, you should not despair, because with every next try, the result will be better and better.

Advantages and disadvantages of manual sharpening

To service one or two chainsaws in a private household, it is enough to have an inexpensive and simple design device for sharpening the chainsaw chain in manual mode.

Technically competently and correctly sharpening the chainsaw chain with a file without special devices is difficult. Even with certain skills, there is a high probability of marriage and premature failure of an expensive part.

The consequence may be:

• violation of the smooth running of the chain and its forced wear;
• additional engine loads;
• problems with the headset entering the cut.

Also spontaneous triggering of the emergency stop mechanism is possible.

Negative consequences of working with a faulty headset

The need to sharpen the cutting edges of the saw chain becomes apparent when there are major signs of ineffective tool performance. It:

• increased vibration and difficult entry of the headset into each new cut;
• a significant decrease in the productivity of sawing work;
• the smell of overheated wood;
• fine structure of sawdust.

Even with effective operation of the emergency brake and chain breaker, using a saw with a dull chain carries the risk of injury. Increased loads on the engine and the chain saw kinematics negatively affect the tool life in general.

Useful tools for sharpening

Newbies are wondering what a holder is. It works with a round tool and requires clamps. There are markings on the holder, each of which fixes a specific sharpening angle. When working with a holder, it is important to place the markings parallel to the equipment bus. This approach helps to accurately maintain the desired angle of inclination.

Also in the theory of sharpening chainsaws, you can find the term filing gauges. Devices are used to control not only the sharpening angle, but also the cut to the depth gauge, but only when working with a flat tool.

The clamp is another product that holds the bar in place while sharpening. Sharpening is carried out at the cutting site. The manipulation consists of sequential steps:

• The clamp is fixed in wood or board.
• Then the tire is fixed in the board and pressed tightly so as to avoid possible displacement.
• The device is suitable for all types of tires. Their size doesn’t matter either.

In the garage of every owner, in the absence of clamps, there is a vice. So, the tire is fixed so that the jaws of the vice do not interfere with the free movement of the chain. Subsequent sharpening is carried out in the usual sequence.

We sharpen the chainsaw chain ourselves with a file

Correct use and care have a significant impact on the quality and performance of the tool. For comfortable work, you need to sharpen the Stihl chainsaw chain on time. A blunt chain can be attributed to specialists or you can sharpen it yourself, especially since the whole process is not particularly difficult. You just need to acquire a certain skill, since the teeth on it have an unusual shape.

Features of mechanized restoration of saw chains

Despite significant disadvantages, machine sharpening is practiced in large forestry and industrial logging enterprises. In the private sector, the owners of chainsaws prefer to restore the performance of the saw equipment with their own hands.

You can read about how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with a machine in the attached instructions, but real skill is developed gradually in the process. Solid skills are acquired after self-sharpening 10 or more chains.

Standard methods and technologies are not effective for restoring the working properties of saw chains with carbide cutting links. In such cases, a diamond attachment for sharpening chains comes to the rescue. The increased cost of fine-tuning the wear-resistant chain is compensated by its 4-5 times increased MTO.

How to find the right file

In order not to sharpen the chainsaw chain for days, it is important to choose the right tool. Craftsmen recommend processing the teeth with a round file. Flat is used to adjust the height of the prong, thereby limiting the cutting depth.

The diameter of the round file can be 4-5.5 mm. Focus on the size of the saw teeth. The sharpening process is facilitated by holders specially designed for working with a file. You can also try rollers with a sharpening angle.

As for a flat tool, its width should be no more than 1 cm. The stop tooth is grinded using a bar. It is installed on a chain and determined with the depth to which you need to grind off the tooth. The goal is to achieve optimal values ​​\ u200b \ u200bof the chainsaw functionality.

Feasibility of timely repair of the saw chain

It is highly undesirable to postpone the repair of the chain indefinitely. The saw chain with blunt working edges of the cutting links reduces the performance of the chainsaw by almost half, there is also an overconsumption of fuel and unjustified loss of working time.

Sharpening kits

One of the most common methods is with a set of round and flat files, a holder, a stop template and a hook used to remove sawdust. For the correct positioning of the holder, special markings are applied to it, allowing you to determine the correct angle for sharpening. It is installed on the upper part of the tooth and the stop, while the round file remains under it and is located just next to the blade. Thanks to the holder, the file is at the correct height, or more precisely, protrudes 1/5 above the blade. For sharpening the cutting tooth, only round files are used, since the contour of the tooth has a rounded shape.

Kits must be purchased based on the chain pitch. You cannot use the same sharpening kit for different chains.

Before you start sharpening the chainsaw chain at home, the tire must be secured in a vice or with a clamp, the main thing is that the saw does not move during processing. Having installed the holder according to the markings, begin smoothly and without too much pressure, move the file strictly away from you 2-3 times. Similar actions are repeated with all other teeth. The file must be turned over from time to time so that there is no one-sided wear. The force of pressure and the number of movements for all should be the same, this is necessary for uniform sharpening of all teeth. If they are different, then cracks may form in the chain, which will lead to its breakage.

To make it easier to work, the teeth are first sharpened on one side, and after them the saw is turned over and the teeth are aligned on the other.

They start sharpening from the smallest tooth so that the length of all the others is the same with it. After the work on the processing of the blades is finished, proceed to the limiters. A template from the kit is installed on top of the chain in such a position that the stopper is in the hole. The protruding part is grinded with a flat file.

The video shows an example of how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with a file:

There is another set, which, instead of a holder, has one template, both for sharpening the blade and for grinding the stop. Install it so that the chain falls into the holes. Then the round file is placed on top of the rollers and fed under the blade. During sharpening, you need to ensure that it is always parallel to the lateral edges of the template.

There are 2 separate holes for the stopper, labeled Soft for soft wood and Hard for hard wood. The protruding part from the slot, grind with a flat file.

Sharpening is carried out only from oneself and with smooth movements, the number of the latter should be the same for all teeth.