Absolutely, it is worth it to sharpen a chainsaw chain. Sharpening a chainsaw chain is an important part of keeping your saw in top condition and can prevent a lot of potential disasters. A sharp chain won’t cause kickbacks or cause the saw to malfunction while you’re in the middle of a project.
Sharpening the chain with a file or a grinder will ensure that it operates more effectively and safely. Furthermore, a sharp saw cuts faster and more smoothly and uses less energy. Overall, investing a little time in sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worth it as it will save you energy, time, and increase your safety while working.
How long should a chainsaw chain last before sharpening?
The chain on your chainsaw should last anywhere between 5 and 10 hours of use, depending on the conditions in which it is operated and the type of wood being cut. While some hardwoods and fibrous materials, such as green wood, might require more frequent sharpening, regular sharpening of a chainsaw chain is essential to ensure proper and safe operation.
Chain dullness will cause an increase in the effort required to maintain the same cutting depth and a decrease in the chainsaw’s power and torque. Some typical signs of a dull chain are excessive vibration and kickback, difficulty cutting, and a decrease in the quality of the cut surface.
It is recommended that before each day of cutting, the chain be examined for dullness and sharpened as necessary. Furthermore, it is best to have spare chain on-hand at all times—very few cutting projects take less than 5 hours.
When should you get a new chainsaw chain?
You should get a new chainsaw chain when it becomes dull or damaged. A dull chainsaw chain will make it harder to cut through materials, and a damaged chain can cause kickback, which can be dangerous.
Additionally, if a chainsaw chain is older than 2-3 years, it may be time to replace it with a new chain, as the older chain may not have as much life left in it. If you are unsure of the condition of the chain, it is best to have a professional check it for you.
How do I know if my chainsaw chain is dull?
A chainsaw chain that is dull will often become difficult to work with, with the saw becoming difficult to control and the sawdust becoming inconsistent. Additionally, the teeth on the chain will become blunted so that they are not as toothy and sharp as they should be.
This can easily be visually noticed by closely inspecting the chain. Additionally, if you are cutting wood and it is taking longer than usual to cut through, this could indicate that the chain is dull.
Finally, the wood may splinter more than usual when cutting and the chain may even skip over the wood rather than engaging with it, indicating a dull chain.
Why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly?
Chainsaw chains can dull quickly for a variety of reasons, among them frequent and improper use of the chainsaw, bluntness from unsuitable sawing surfaces, an improper chain box setting, dull saw chain teeth, and the age of the chain.
Frequent and improper use of the chainsaw can cause abnormal chain wear, leading to dull chain teeth. Bluntness may result if the chainsaw is used on unsuitable surfaces such as hardwood, steel, or concrete.
An improper chain box setting can cause a dull chainsaw chain if the chain is over-tensioned, making the chain teeth thicker which can lead to dulling. Additionally, the age of the chainsaw chain can also cause it to dull quickly due to chainsaw tooth wear.
To reduce the likelihood of the chain dulling quickly, it is important to take the proper precautions such as using a sharp chainsaw, accurately and properly adjusting the chain box settings, and regularly replacing older chains or swapping them out for a new ones every few uses.
How do loggers sharpen chainsaws?
Loggers sharpen chainsaws by slowly and carefully filing the depth gauges and cutter teeth with a round or flat file. This is an important part of chainsaw maintenance as it ensures that the saw makes clean and precise cuts and uses fuel efficiently.
Filing, or sharpening, is typically done by hand. Hold the file in a straight line tangent to the chain and file the top of each cutter tooth and its corresponding depth gauge. For most types of chains, only a few strokes are needed with each few applications.
Ensure that the file touches all of the corners of the cutter while filing. When all the cutter teeth have been sharpened and the top of the depth gauges are level, flip the file over and sharpen the bottom of the cutters.
Move the file from side to side with a light pressure to create a smooth cutting edge. The process should be repeated for both sides of each cutter tooth and also for the depth gauges. After every few chainsaw sharpenings, it is important to check for wear, which can reduce the life and efficiency of the chain.
If significant wear is present, it may be time for a replacement.
Why is my chainsaw burning the wood?
Chainsaws don’t usually burn the wood they are cutting, but there are a few potential causes if your chainsaw is. One of the most common causes of a chainsaw burning the wood is an issue with the chain tension.
If the chain is too loose, it will be unable to cut the wood as it should, leading to a burning effect instead. You should inspect the chain tension and adjust it accordingly. Another potential cause is an issue with the fuel being used.
The fuel should be fresh and free of any condensation. Additionally, using the wrong type of fuel for your chainsaw can cause your chainsaw to burn the wood. Lastly, if the chain is dull, it will cause the chainsaw to burn the wood rather than cut it.
You should sharpen the chain regularly to ensure the best cutting performance.
How can I make my chainsaw cut better?
If your chainsaw is not cutting as well as it should, there are a few things that you can do to improve its cutting performance.
The first is to ensure the chain is properly sharpened. A dull blade will cause a chainsaw to tear and rip at the wood that is being cut, rather than cutting straight through it. Sharpening the blade and using a proper file gauge is essential for preventing damage to the chain and helping it to make accurate and clean cuts.
The next step is to make sure the bar oil is being used properly. A chainsaw needs bar oil to properly lubricate the chain as it is cutting. If the bar oil does not reach the chain, the performance of the chainsaw will be compromised.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that the bar oil is in the proper position and refilled as needed.
Finally, check the air filter. If the air filter is clogged, the engine will not be able to breathe properly, and the chainsaw will be working under a lot of stress, causing it to have a less than optimal performance.
Therefore, it is important to regularly clean the air filter and make sure it is in good condition.
By properly sharpening the blade, making sure the bar oil is in the right place, and ensuring the air filter is clean, you can help your chainsaw make cleaner and better cuts with improved performance.
How do you put a new chain on a chainsaw?
To put a new chain on a chainsaw, start by ensuring the chain brake is engaged and the throttle trigger is in the off position. You will need a breaker bar, and if available, a guide bar to fit the new chain.
Use the top of the bar to locate the instruction manual, as this will guide you through the entire process. Check the Saw Chain Code stamped on the side of the chainsaw and locate the correct replacement saw chain.
Attach the drive links of the new chain to the guide saw bar; the stepped part of the drive link should be facing forward. Insert the full loop of new saw chain onto the bar and the bar sprocket. Make sure the cutting link is positioned behind the bar, close to the handle.
Secure the saw chain to the bar sprocket by holding the tensioner in the open position and pulling the handle to the stop plate. Make periodic cutting checks with an inspection tool to ensure the tension is consistent and up to the manufacturer’s standard.
Finally, slide the drive links into the tensioner to secure the saw chain in place. Place the tensioner in the closed position, engaging the safety lock, and you are all set!
When should I replace the chain on my chainsaw?
It is recommended that you replace the chain on your chainsaw if it is more than 5-10 years old, has been used frequently, has become blunt, and/or has become bent or kinked. Furthermore, if you notice any of the following signs, it is likely time to replace the chain on your chainsaw: the teeth are chipped, the chain has discoloration due to overheating, links are missing, the chain has become loose, or the chain has become too short.
If several of these signs are present and the chain has gone through extensive use, you should replace it.
It is also advised to inspect your chainsaw chain on a regular basis (every two or three months) and sharpen it regularly to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. If your chain is sharpened often and still shows signs of wear and tear, it’s time to replace it with a new one.
Finally, to ensure your chainsaw is always running in top condition, it is important to know the specific type and size of chain that goes with your chainsaw. If the wrong size of chain is installed on your chainsaw, the oil may not be able to deliver lube to the chain and can cause premature wear and tear.
It is important to buy the correct replacement chain for your chainsaw in order to ensure it runs properly and avoids damage over time.
What is the correct tension for a chainsaw chain?
The correct tension for a chainsaw chain is often overlooked and can be difficult to measure. It’s important to have the chain tensioned correctly, or else it can break or come loose and cause potentially dangerous situations.
Generally speaking, the properly tensioned chain should have around 1/8″ – 3/16″ of slack when the bar is pulled away from the nose. If it is too tight, the cutting power of the chain will be reduced, while if it’s too loose, the chain will come off the wheel or chatter when in operation.
To tension a chainsaw chain correctly, you will usually have to use a chain tensioning screw. This is found at the side of the chainsaw body and should be in the same plane as the guide bar. Using a screwdriver, you should turn the tensioning screw counterclockwise to loosen the chain.
Once you have the desired slack, you can turn the screw clockwise until the chain is snug. Finally, you should check the tension again to make sure it is correct.