Is it worth it to sharpen a chainsaw chain? As dozens of cutter teeth chew through dense wood, they're bound to become dull, reducing the tool's effectiveness and making it more physically demanding for you to control. Regular sharpening, accomplished by filing, will keep your chainsaw purring like a very rugged kitten.
How long should a chainsaw chain last before sharpening?
Chainsaw durability differs from one item to another, although all the tools become dull over time. However, most top-quality chains can last up to 5 years of extensive use, or up to a decade when used occasionally. Additionally, these tools durability is highly dependent on maintenance.
How often does a chainsaw chain need sharpening?
In most cases, sharpening the chain should happen after ten times of being in use, while in other situations, you have to sharpen it after every session.
How much does it cost to sharpen a chainsaw chain?
A 16" chain costs anywhere from $13-20. Pay $4-7 per chain to sharpen, and that's up to 50% of the cost of a new chain!
Why does my chainsaw chain get dull so fast?
If your chain dulls quickly, then it could be a couple of things. Check your user's manual to ensure that you are using the right sized file for your chain. Alternatively, you could be applying too much pressure when you file. This will create cutting edges that are too thin and dull quickly.
Related advise for Is It Worth It To Sharpen A Chainsaw Chain?
What is the best way to sharpen a chainsaw chain?
How long do chainsaw blades stay sharp?
As I mentioned at the top of this post, you can usually expect a chainsaw chain to last for several hundred hours of use. Depending on how often you use your chainsaw, that means it could last for 5 years, or several decades, as long as you are taking good care of your equipment.
Do chainsaw sharpeners really work?
Sharpening a chainsaw once meant having to sharpen the individual cutters on the chain by hand. An electric sharpener (also called a “grinder”) makes quick work of getting a dull chain back into shape, so you can get back to the important job at hand.
Do new chainsaw chains come sharpened?
Yes, the chains of the chainsaw come sharpened from the factory when you buy a new one. There is no need to sharpen it before your first job. But even the sharpest chain for the chainsaws available in the market will lose their sharpness over time and grow very dull.
Does dirt dull a chainsaw?
Nobody plans to run their chain saw into dirt. But when you cut close to the ground, you're just begging for a quick dip into dirt, rocks and crud. All it takes is a second in the dirt to dull the cutters. In addition to dulling the cutters, dirt also wears out the chain links faster, causing the chain to stretch.
How do I know if my chainsaw chain is dull?
How do you know if a chainsaw is sharp?
What is the best angle to sharpen a chainsaw?
Always file at right angles to the guide rail. The right sharpening angle depends on the saw chain and the wood that you want to cut. The sharpening angle will generally be between 25° and 35° – the harder the wood, the greater the angle.
Does cutting wet wood dull a chainsaw?
Using your chainsaw to cut through wet wood will not dull the chain any faster than using it for other types of wood. When you think about it, your chainsaw chain is already wet. True, it is not wet with water. Using your chainsaw to cut through wet wood will not change the efficiency of your chainsaw.
Is cutting wet wood bad for chainsaw?
No, it is not bad to cut the wet wood with your chainsaw. Dewdrops, raindrops, or the snow on the wood will not cause any harm to your chainsaw. It is, in fact, much easier to cut through the wet wood than dry wood because the extra moisture on the wood will act as a natural lubricant.
Is it easy to sharpen a chainsaw?
After years of using files and electric grinders, I finally found the best way to sharpen a chainsaw, and it is so simple! The key to a sharp saw is getting the angles correct, not only on each individual tooth, but across all the teeth. This is exceedingly difficult, even for a trained eye with a very steady hand.
How do you sharpen a chainsaw like a pro?
How quickly does a chainsaw get dull?
When you consider how fast the chain is moving, it's not hard to understand that it can become very dull very quickly. Just hitting one little rock can dull a chain instantly. Like DavidV said, get yourself a new chain, keep it out of the dirt and sharpen it after every tank of gas to keep it from getting dull.
Why is my chainsaw burning the wood?
If the oil pump for the bar oil is not pumping oil on to the bar it will cause the chain and the bar to get very hot. If this is happening, it may cause the wood to burn. The only other thing I can come up with is the chain may be very dull or on backwards.
How can I make my chainsaw chain last longer?
Are electric chainsaw sharpeners good?
Electric chainsaw sharpeners work very well and are very powerful, restoring your chain to as-new condition with very little effort. However, they are usually more expensive and you do have to be careful not to overdo your sharpening, as you can end up filing the cutters too low.
What angle should I sharpen my Stihl chainsaw chain?
STIHL saw chains are generally filed to an angle of 30° – parallel to the service mark for the filing angle. Hold the file so that one quarter of its diameter projects above the top plate.
Why does a chainsaw cut crooked?
Dull cutters damaged by rocks can cause a chain to cut crooked. It's important to remove all damage from cutters prior to cutting. Cutting with a dull chain can accelerate wear to the bar and chain. If you sharpen your chain at a 25º setting on your left hand, your right hand cutters should match.
Are chainsaw blades sharp?
A chainsaw is one of the handiest tools you own, but if it's dull, it's useless. A chainsaw is only as useful as its chain is sharp; however, keeping the business end in good working order can be a challenge. Hand sharpening the snaggle-toothed cutters of a chainsaw chain is a bit of an artform.
Why is my chainsaw cutting on an angle?
Check the size of the top plates, which sit on the longer sections of each tooth on the chain. These top plates should be the same size. If some are shorter than others, file the longer ones down to match. Keep the same angle on all the top plates as you file – angles that don't match also can cause curved cutting.
Why is my chainsaw smoking?
While a chain saw does produce some heat while in use, it should never overheat or begin smoking. The most likely causes of smoking and overheating are a lack of air and/or a lack of lubrication to the engine or the chain saw chain guide bar.
How do I stop my chainsaw chain from stretching?
Every chainsaw has a tension screw that's located at or close to the base of the chainsaw bar. If you want to tighten the chain, turn the tension screw clockwise. If you want to loosen up the chain, turn the tension chain counterclockwise.
How long should you let a chainsaw warm up?
ArboristSite Member
About 30 seconds with a few revs.