Chsinsaw chain sharpener

IrishHomer

Hi,

Looking for advice from some forestry experts.

I had my chainsaw chain sharpened twice at my local chainsaw supply shop. It was done by machine.

Someone just told me once a chain is sharpener by machine you can't go back and sharpen same chain manually.

Is this true?

I've also just ordered a portable sharpening machine online and I'm now being told manual sharpening is the only way.

Any advice greatly appreciated

patsy_mccabe

Not a forestry expert but have been sharpening chains here for years. Plenty of videos on Youtube to show you how. All the pro's use a hand file. Once you get the hang of it, you wont look back. Only takes 5 to 10 mins to do.

IrishHomer

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Not a forestry expert but have been sharpening chains here for years. Plenty of videos on Youtube to show you how. All the pro's use a hand file. Once you get the hang of it, you wont look back. Only takes 5 to 10 mins to do.

I am capable and ok with hand file sharpening.

I'm just really looking to know is the electric sharpener not recommended and should I sell it before I even use it

SuperTortoise

I use an electric sharpener for my chains (lidl bought), it sharpens them well, i suppose the reason why people recommend hand filing over electric is probably due to overheating the steel with the electric sanding stone and thus taking the temper off of the steel meaning you'll still have a sharp chain but it might not stay sharp for as long as hand filing.

I've been meaning to buy the right size file for sharpening my chain and learn how to do it properly but then again i might only use my chainsaw for a couple of days per year so i've put it on the long finger.

mobfromcork

I use one of these and find it great, sharpens fairly quickly and accurately and handy enough to use if you're out sawing for a few hours as well - just give it a rub and it puts an edge back on very quickly. You have to get the right one for the chain size and can get new files if they wear out. I think there are generic (non-Stihl) ones available too.

https://iseforestandgarden.stihl-dealer.ie/en-ie/product/2fd5e5c7-e511-47e1-ba62-d7e34909904a/2-in-1-easyfile/

Haven't bought an electric one as have heard the same as what SuperTortoise posted - puts on an edge quickly but takes off too much material and leaves it harder to sharpen afterwards as well.

Turbohymac

Can't beat an ordinary file..but you need to evenly file down the rakers between the teeth as well..otherwise your teeth might be very sharp but without lowering the height of the rakers the teeth wont be able to take enough of a bite from the log..file takers too low and the full tooth will bury full depth into the log and put engine under savage strain and also pull the chainsaw foreward out of your hands.. so too much is definitely as bad as not filling rakers at all

mobfromcork

Turbohymac wrote: »

Can't beat an ordinary file..but you need to evenly file down the rakers between the teeth as well..otherwise your teeth might be very sharp but without lowering the height of the rakers the teeth wont be able to take enough of a bite from the log..file takers too low and the full tooth will bury full depth into the log and put engine under savage strain and also pull the chainsaw foreward out of your hands.. so too much is definitely as bad as not filling rakers at all

That one I linked to above does both in the same motion, one file sharpens the tooth and the other flat file takes down the raker. That's why its so handy I reckon. I'm only an occasional chainsaw user though so maybe others who would saw more might have a different opinion.