Granberg Bar-Mount Chainsaw Sharpener. Sharpening your chainsaw doesn’t have to require. This video shows how to use STIHL files and guides to keep your chain sharp and check that the depth gauge is set correctly. Learn more by reading your product instruction manual and, if you don’t feel comfortable sharpening your own STIHL saw chain, visit your nearest STIHL Dealer where trained professionals can do it for you. TOP 10 searching results for Best Sharpening Stihl Chainsaws - find your ideal price, explore deals and shop online.

1. Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Stihl Trimmer
2. Stihl Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Instructions
3. Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Stihl Trimmer
4. Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Stihl Chainsaw
5. Chainsaw Sharpening Jig Stihl

A chainsaw just like any other cutting tool gets blunt with time and usage. That means unless you sharpen it regularly, its efficiency will decline until it will finally stop cutting or you get injured forcing it to work. A dull chainsaw consumes lots of fuel while doing less cutting. It also gives kickbacks and therefore can easily cause accidents. Sharpening your chainsaw should not be difficult if you know what to do and when to do it. In this chainsaw sharpening guide, you are going learn how to sharpen your chainsaw with a file or with chainsaw sharpening tools.

How to Sharpen a Chainsaw with a File

Filing your chainsaw using a file is little bit different filing using a filing machine. Just like any other manual task, it needs you to make some preparations and carry out some measurements to complete the tasks correctly. This guide applies to all chainsaws in general. However, it’s best to always check your chainsaw manual for any tips that the manufacturer of the chainsaw recommends.

You will the need a round file and a flat file. The round file will be used to sharpen the curved hollow part of the cutting link. The flat file is used to file the cutting link to the correct depth. You will need a filing guide as well. The filing guide helps you to get the right filing angle when using the round file. The filing guide will also help you to determine the proper cutting depth to which you will file the cutting link.

How to use a Chainsaw Sharpening Guide

One of the easiest ways to learn to sharpen your chain is to use the sharpener guide mounted on the chain saw. These take as much time as the manual method without a guide, but they are accurate even for beginners. You just need to position them onto each cutting link to file it. They are easy to position. Hold the chainsaw bar in a vice. Place them chainsaw sharpening guide on the bar, and start filing. The sharpener guide will control your filing angles and position. They offer you an easy step to learn how to file your chain the traditional way discussed in the eight steps below.

Sharpen a Chainsaw by Hand

Use the number in step one to get the matching file from the conversion table. Each pitch number is matched with the correct file diameter for the chain that has that number. It is best to buy files from suppliers and tool shops recommended by manufacturers. Using the wrong file will irreparably damage your file.

The next step is to thoroughly clean your chain to remove debris, sawdust, and dirt. You can use mineral spirits and detergents readily available in conventional stores to get rid of oils. You should only use those cleaners that are less aggressive to avoid damaging the plastic housing and seals of your chainsaw.

Step 6
Hold the file with both hands. One hand should hold the handle while the other holds the other end of the file to guide its motion. If your chainsaw bar is horizontally oriented, then the file should also be held horizontally. Keep the angle between the file and bar at 30 degrees when you view it directly from the top.

Filing Angle Image Link: http://www.stihl.com/p/images/content_zoom_480x320/teaser-saegeketten-schaerfen-schaerfen-feile-fuehren-3-zoom_rdax_85.jpg

While filing, a 1/4 of the file’s diameter should be above the top plate. It’s important to keep in mind that the file only sharpens on the forward motion.

1/4 Filing Position Image Link: http://www.stihl.com/p/images/content_zoom_480x320/teaser-saegeketten-schaerfen-schaerfen-feile-fuehren-4-zoom_rdax_85.jpg

If you try sharpening on the backward motion, you will dull the file. When filing, you want to make sure that all cutting links are filed precisely to the same height. That ensures all teeth will chip out woodchips of the same size and therefore cut the wood uniformly.

Forward Filing Image Link: http://www.stihl.com/p/images/content_zoom_480x320/teaser-saegeketten-schaerfen-schaerfen-feile-fuehren-1-zoom_rdax_85.jpg

You also want to restore the cutting link’s angle as it was machined in the factory. Make sure that file rests at 90 degrees on the chain as you file.

Vertical Filing Angle Image Link: http://www.stihl.com/p/images/content_zoom_480x320/teaser-saegeketten-schaerfen-schaerfen-feile-fuehren-2-zoom_rdax_85.jpg

Sharpen a Chainsaw with Power Tools

Manual sharpening is demanding, but it is a safe method to ensure you don’t wear off too much material from your chain cutting links, which could in turn shorten the lifespan of your chain. However, if you have many chainsaws to sharpen or you want an easier way to work, you can use an electric chain sharpener as an alternative. Electric chain sharpeners are both quick and accurate with their only downside being they can easily file off extra material from your chainsaw chain.

The electric chainsaw sharpener has a motor that is running continuously unlike your manual filing action. That is why electric chainsaws are fast and can file extra material easily if you do not set them correctly. However good ones aren’t too hard to use if you take the time to follow the user manual and set them correctly per the type of chain you want to file. Always follow the product instructions for chain-specific guides.

How Do I know The Cutting Edge is Worn-out?

Cutting Link Markings: http://blog.stihl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/160125_STIHL_Blog_Rundfeile_Service-undVerschlei%C3%9Fmarkierungen.png

The cutting edge has markings that enable you to know when it’s time to replace it. The manufacturer etches these markings onto the chain after having done some quality control tests on the chain.

Mark 1
Mark 1 marking indicates the right cutting edge angle of the upper plate’s cutting edge. It also gives the minimum cutting link length. Should that length become shorter, then the cutting link should be replaced. When you notice that you have filed the cutting link up to that mark, it is time to replace it.

Mark 2
Mark 2 gives the circular angle that should be maintained when sharpening the cutting edge. The cutting link should be replaced when it has been filed up to that point.

Mark 3
Mark 3 marks the correct depth gauge angle and wear. When the depth is being reset, that resetting should be parallel to that mark.

Mark 4
Mark 4 is used to check the extent of wear of the running faces of the cutting link. If the wear is consistently parallel to that mark, then the chain wear is normal. If the wear is not consistently parallel, then there is a problem, and you should do and inspection and replace that cutting link.

How Often should a Chainsaw chain be sharpened?

The question of how often the chain cutting links should be sharpened is not so clear. However, one thing that we recommend is that you need to sharpen your saw chain before it becomes dull and dangerous to use. Some say you sharpen after cutting a certain number of trees, others recommend after ten uses, while others recommend you do it after a certain number of hours of use. We recommend you do it after 40 hours of use or when you hit a rock, soil, or you cut a hardwood tree. Those three can make your chain dull easily. Rocks, in particular, can blunt the saw instantly. Overall, you should keep a watchful eye on your chain. Keep in mind what it looked like when it was new. It should never look so different from that because when new, the manufacturer optimized it for cutting.

When does my Chainsaw Chain need to be Replaced?

Your chainsaw will get dull with time no matter how sharp it was when you bought it. That will cause it to become inefficient and dangerous to use. Knowing when it is time to replace your chain will save you time, energy and money. A chain that is in good condition does not require you to spend much energy as you use it to cut wood. It does not cut fine wood chips that cause you to spend more fuel to get a deep cut into the tree or lumber. You should, therefore, pay attention to the signs below to keep your chain in shape at all times.

Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Stihl Trimmer

Chain replacement signs

• You have to apply pressure on the saw to make it cut wood. A good chain pulls itself into the wood when placed on it.
• You notice that when cutting vertically, the saw does not make coarse chippings. Instead, all you see is fine sawdust.
• You see smoke even when the chain is well lubricated, and the chain is well tensioned.
• You find it difficult to position the chainsaw precisely because it rattles and bounces when cutting.

Conclusion

Those are the top signs that you should use to replace your chainsaw. Of course, if you also notice other signs such as a chipped cutting link, you should replace the link or if they are all chipped, replace the chain. You should not wait for the cutting link to be totally blunt before you sharpen it. You should make sharpening a regular thing. As soon as you notice a slight bluntness or wear of the cutting edge, sharpen your chain. That will help you to avoid spending much time and energy sharpening the chain because it is excessively worn.

You should also make it a habit of inspecting your chain at the end of each day or before you store it. That will help you to identify defects early enough. You will also become familiar with your chain in its good working condition. We hope this guide has been helpful and you will find it easy to maintain your chain.

Содержание

Introduсtion

Sharpening the saw chain is not more difficult than other cutting tool sharpening, but only if you have a set of special tools for sharpening it. Its tooth has a complex geometry. Chain element has two cutting edges – the upper edge and the side one. The second of which is chamfered at a predetermined angle to the line of motion of the chain, making this operation a bit trickier.

Is it time to sharpen my chain?

Tooth chain cuts wood like a shaving plane, and the chip thickness is defined by the height of depth gauge.
Intensive work with a saw leads to rapid dulling of chain. Within one day, it may require several sharpening procedures. The tooth quickly dulls when it meets the ground, which makes the situation worse. Touch the ground once or twice with the bar, and work should be stopped – chips become shallow, and saw doesn’t go into a wood any more. See pictures below to learn the difference between states of the tooth.

Sharp tooth

Dull tooth

Chainsaw tooth after a collision with a ground and a stone in it

The earlier dulled teeth is sharpened the less material needed to be removed for sharpening. As a consequence – the life of the chain becomes longer. It is simple enough to find out if the chain requires sharpening. A significant criterion is the pressure you apply to work. Properly sharpened chain is pulled into the cut even with a little effort. If a chainsaw work requires increasing pressure, the teeth are dull. Dull chain can also be easily recognized if you see fine sawdust instead of big and thick chips.

Chips after working with a sharp and dull chain

In this situation, the chainsaw must be sharpened immediately. Do not to cut with a dull or faulty saw chain or you’ll get a strong tension in the body, a large cyclic loading, and poor cutting results as a consequence. Furthermore, this leads to poor performance, higher fuel consumption and increased wear on all the chainsaw gears.

Chain teeth parameters

Overall cutting link description

The cutting chain link consists of a basic toots body (1), top plate (2), the depth gauge (3). Tooth blade has a vertically oriented side plate cutting edge (4) and an angled back top plate cutting edge (5) that is oriented horizontally.

Cutting link

Upper rear angle

For optimal cutting properties, tooth blades have certain angles. The upper side of tooth blade is angled back by the upper rear angle of the blade. This angle is needed to make upper blade plunging into the wood.

The rear upper angle

Top plate cutting angle and side plate cutting angle

The angle formed by the front surface of the top plate cutting edge and the top plate of a teeth form a side plate angle and a top plate cutting angle. These angles of the various types of saws chains differ. It varies depending on the type of a chain you have.

Side plate (1) and top plate (2) cutting angles

Filing angle

The filing angle is measured between the top of the cutting edge and a line perpendicular to the guide rail.

The filing anlge

The filing angle can be changed, depending on the application. General rule: the larger the filing angle, the higher cutting performance when cutting not frost and soft wood.

Reducing the sharpening angle for cutting the frozen and/or hard wood makes saw run smoother and reduce vibration.

However, you should avoid sharpening angle greater than 35° and less than 25° (with the exception of the chains designed for cutting along the fibers, in which this angle is 10°).

Side plate angle, top plate angle and filing angles change when sharpening. These angles have a decisive influence on the cutting ability of the chain. Be sure to follow the recommended values.

Depth gauge

Stihl Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Instructions

Each cutting link has a depth gauge, that defines the amount of wood, shaved by the saw tooth per stroke.

Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Stihl Trimmer

Depth gauge

The distance of the depth gauge determines the depth of insertion of the top plate edge into the wood (chip thickness) and, thus, productivity. Distance of the depth gauge is set depending on the chain pitch and the kind of chain. Normally it should be 0.5-0.8 mm, usually 0.6 mm. The chain link usually has a number stamped on the side of depth gauge which indicates the correct depth. High values will lead to an increased probability of chainsaw kickback, too high vibration and chain capture. Lower values lead to a drop in performance. Since the depth decreases with each sharpening due to reduce the upper side length of a tooth, the depth gauge also requires periodic shortening – every 5-10 time you sharpening the chain.

8 steps to sharpen your chain

1. You have to find out the pitch (size of a chainsaw link). There are a several types of chains, which have different pitches. You can take a look on a chain link to find a code digit. It is located on the outer side of depth gauge. See figure below:
   
2. These numbers are referred to actual pitches of chains. According to it, select the proper round file from the table below. You can only use this specific file for sharpening your chainsaw, or your chain will be spoiled and unable to restore.
   Table for selecting the file
3. Diligently clean your chain. You can use hard brush to remove dirt, sawdust and debris. Use conventional store bought detergents or mineral spirits to get rid of oils. Do not purchase too aggressive cleaners, because some of them can harm the plastic housing of your saw.
4. Examine the chain for damaged or excessively worn links and teeth. If you find a tooth that is chipped, broken or bent, replace it with a new one. Broken links are dangerous to use. The upper plate (the upper side surface of the cutting teeth) should be at least 1/4 inch long. Shorter upper plate is overly worn and can break during the saw motion.
5. Fasten the saw and its bar. This will ensure you a safe and accurate sharpening. It is best to hold the blade in a vise so that the chain could rotate freely.
   Correctly fasten chainsaw
6. Keep the file with both hands. One on the handle, and the other to direct it accurately. While sharpening, hold the file horizontally (assuming that the chain is oriented horizontally). The angle between the file and the bar (when you look at it from above) must me 25° or 30° (read the saw specification). Keep the file 1/4 of its diameter above the top plate. And note that you only sharpen the tooth on forward movement. Don’t touch the teeth when you move the file back. You have two main aims: first to make all the cutters the same in height (so every link will cut the same amount of wood with each stroke and every tooth will wear equally) and second is to make all the teeth match the angle they were machined at the factory. You can sign the tooth you started with using a felt tip marker.Filing direction Filing angle Horizontal position
   
7. Regularly rotate the file at a little angle, to make its wear equal everywhere. We recommend to move the chain during the work, so the link, you are sharpening is always near the tip of the bar. Remove the metal filings while sharpening.
8. To check the quality of sharpening, carefully inspect the cutting edge. Its surface should be equally bright.Not bright enough

Chainsaw Sharpening Guide Stihl Chainsaw

Uniformly bright tooth.

Chainsaw Sharpening Jig Stihl

Dark area under the cutting edge