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The joys of a sharp chainsaw chain

  • 28-04-2013 7:41pm
    #1
    pachanco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 132 ✭✭


    Sharpened the chain on my saw today (long overdue!). I really should take the time to sharpen it more often, it's so much easier to cut logs up with it when it's sharp.

    Anyway I only learned recently when looking at youtube videos the importance of filing down the rakers on the chain. Anyway here's a couple of youtube videos showing how to sharpen a chainsaw chain. Worth watching, it's fairly easy when you get the hang of it. Has anyone any other tips on sharpening chainsaws that they'd like to share?

    Enjoy





Comments

  • #2
    locky76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 867 ✭✭✭locky76


    Sharpen little & often, I sharpen mine at every refuel, 3 strokes to each tooth...
    pachanco wrote: »
    Sharpened the chain on my saw today (long overdue!). I really should take the time to sharpen it more often, it's so much easier to cut logs up with it when it's sharp.


  • #3
    wayoutwest
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 509 ✭✭✭wayoutwest


    Bought a Carlite chain the other day and I'm sure that it was'nt keeping a sharp edge for as long as the Oregon chain that I usually get. Anyone else notice this?


  • #4
    Rovi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,570 ✭✭✭Rovi


    locky76 wrote: »
    Sharpen little & often, I sharpen mine at every refuel, 3 strokes to each tooth...
    I do this too; a few quick strokes at every fill, and a proper tidy up in the bench vise when back at base.

    I've had a few chains sharpened at the shop with various automatic grinders, but I'm unconvinced about the whole thing. They're certainly 'sharp' when you get them back, but they sometimes don't hold that edge very well, and can be a right pig to file afterwards. It's all very dependent on correct machine setup and a good operator, which can be somewhat hit and miss in some places.

    The vast majority of my sharpening is done by hand with files.
    For many years, we used the ubiquitous Oregon file/file holder, along with a raker gauge and flat file:
    252313.jpg

    We then switched over to the Swedish roller guide:
    252314.jpg

    And we've only recently switched to the Stihl 2-in-1 guide:
    252315.png

    Who knows what the next gadget will be, but we're currently very happy with the Stihl guide; it does both cutter and raker at the same time, and is only 1 item to carry around. I can touch up a 15" chain on the saw, in the wood, in under a minute; cutters like razors and rakers correctly set, it's a joy! :D

    wayoutwest wrote: »
    Bought a Carlite chain the other day and I'm sure that it was'nt keeping a sharp edge for as long as the Oregon chain that I usually get. Anyone else notice this?
    I have no experience of Carlite chain, but I've found the quality of most lesser-known brands to be pretty variable. Stihl and Oregon make the best chains, in my opinion.


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