To maintain a chainsaw, it is important to ensure that the chainsaw chain are sharp. If the chainsaw chain isnt sharp, the chainsaw will smoke and stall as it attempts to perform its tasks of cutting wood. It is important to ensure that the user selects the correct file size for the sharpening of the chainsaw chain.
Using a file size that is too large may result in the cutting edge of the saw chain getting rounded off. Using a file size that is too small will result in the file not being able to touch the metal portion of the saw chain. A chainsaw chain has two specific measurements that define the saw chain.
How to Sharpen a Chainsaw Chain
The pitch of the saw chain are the measurement of the space between the drive link of the saw chain. The gauge of the saw chain is the thickness of the drive link of the saw chain. The file diameter should be matched to the pitch of the saw chain.
For instance, a saw chain that has a small pitch will require a fine file. A chainsaw chain that has a large pitch will require a file that is thick. The pitch of the saw chain is indicated on the drive link of the saw chain.
You must identify this specific measurement before selecting the correct file size for the saw chain. To sharpen a saw chain, there are specific steps that should be followed. First, the chainsaw bar should be clamped.
Select the longest cutter from the saw chain and file it. You should make six to eight passes on each tooth of the saw chain. Use the front half of the file when filing the saw chain.
This will allow for the user to visualy see the handle of the file. The depth gauges, also known as the rakers, should also be filed. These depth gauges must be filed to ensure that the teeth of the saw chain are able to effectively bite into the wood.
If you file the depth gauges too high, the saw chain will produce sawdust with the cutting of the wood. For sharpening the saw chain, certain tool are required. A round file, a filing jig, a flat file for the rakers, a depth gauge tool, a vise, and a brush are all tools that should be included in a saw chain sharpening tool kit.
The filing jig is used for maintaining even angle on the teeth of the saw chain. If a filing jig is not used in the saw chain sharpening process, the teeth of the saw chain may drift from each other. Such a scenario can cause the saw chain to pull to one side while cutting wood.
Files of steel or diamond can be used for sharpening the saw chain. However, the files should not become worn out during the sharpening process. Worn out files will damage the saw chains metal portion.
Mistakes can be made while attempting to sharpen the saw chain. One mistake can be made by using the wrong file size for the pitch of the saw chain. Another mistake can be made by not using even strokes when sharpening the saw chain.
Such a mistake will result in the teeth of the saw chain not being even with each other. Another mistake that can be made in the saw chain sharpening process is to forget to file the depth gauge. Such a mistake will prevent the saw chain from effective cutting the wood.
Mistakes can be avoided by ensuring that the pitch of the saw chain is determined, by using even strokes when sharpening the saw chain, or by simply inspecting the saw chain while sharpening. To ensure that a saw chain remains in good condition, certain best practice should be followed. In using the file to sharpen the saw chain, a light touch should be used.
If you place too much pressure on the saw chain when sharpening, the metal of the saw chain may be sharpened too much. Additionally, the saw chain should be lubricated following sharpening. This will prevent the saw chain from rusting.
Finally, the saw chain should be tested on a piece of scrap wood. If the saw chain produces thick wood chips, the saw chain is sharp. If it produces sawdust, the depth gauges of the saw chain should be revisited.
You should of checked the gauges again.
