Chainsaw Repair

A member asked me to post this here.

Guys new to sharpening chains often have trouble with file position, and miss the key cutting edges on the top plate and side plate, focusing too much on the shape of the gullet.  Many file guides will  hold the file at the correct depth.  Others allow more flexibility

Some guys will intentionally file/grind their chains differently - one of the benefits of sharpening your own chains is that you get to do it how you want!

These illustrations are based on manufacturer's recommendations and are a good starting point.

Philbert

Here's another comment I often share with guys new to sharpening: There are lots of ways to sharpen - pick one that works for you. 

It is sometimes easiest if someone shows/helps you in person, and you follow the same method and use the same tools.  Some make more sense intuitively to a person, or meet specific needs (cost, number of chains sharpened, availability of power, etc.).  It helps if you understand the basics of what you are trying to do with the cutter and how the different methods help you (or not!).

There are lots of filing guides/devices out there. Some are are tied to a specific brand or size of chain. Not a big deal if you only run one or two type/size/brands of chain. But it can be frustrating if you have different saws, run different pitches, and end up with lots of different guides that you have to keep straight.

- Plain files work with any chain of a specific pitch, provided you have the right diameter file.  But they provide the least help shaping the cutter edges.
 
- Grinders, Granberg type filing guides, and Dremel type sharpeners work with with any pitch, provided you have the right wheel or file or stone.  The first two mentioned are the most structured and will provide the most consistent cutters.

- Flat file guides work with most chains of a specific pitch (but won't do a 10* 'down angle' if that is important to you).  They are simple and inexpensive.

- Roller guides get increasingly type/brand specific (e.g. narrow kerf is different, low profile is different, some need to be modified to fit other brands, etc.).  They are popular if they work with your chains.

- File-O-Plates are the most chain/brand specific.  Simple and inexpensive, but you may need several of them to cover different chain sizes, brands, types.  Not available for all chains.

Some of the sharpeners or guides only work at specific angles (e.g. 30* top plate), which is OK if that is what you want, but does not provide you with any flexibility to change or customize angles.

Philbert

Great link!  Thanks.

I actually got a small, folding sawbuck I designed published in Mother Earth News.

Philbert

http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/homemade-sawbuck-zm0z12onzhun.aspx

Read the MEN article and ordered a full copy off of Amazon just to check it out.  Hard choice: 1 cent for a used copy in good condition or should I spring for that new copy?

Philbert

Got my copy and have read through most of it: Barnacle Parp's Chainsaw Guide: Buying, Using and Maintaining Gas and Electric Chain Saws.

Pretty comprehensive for it's time.  But, as you note, much of it is outdated as saws, sources, and knowledge have changed in the last 36 years.  He is very opinionated, and has quite the pro-STIHL bias.  But still an interesting read, especially considering how little I knew about chainsaws in 1978!

The information on older saws could still be helpful, as well as other approaches for doing things.  Also interesting to see some of the same discussions/disagreements we are still having today.  Pretty cheap as a used book, and apparently, some PDF versions may be available.

Thanks for pointing it out.

Philbert