Chainsaw sharpening: how do you like to do it?

[redknife]

We're doing a lot of chainsaw work at the new house. My method for sharpebing the chainsaw has been a husqvarna guide including round file. I have a proxxon rotary and saw that there is a chainsaw bit and guide set for rotary tools.
I am aware of several other methods.
What is your preferred method for sharpening chainsaws?

 

[Mike Davis]

I sharpen by hand with the chain on the saw. I use the same guide with a wood handle.
Every third or fourth sharpening I will gauge the teeth and file them all the same length.

 

[gmakra]

By hand just like Mike.

 

[Jeff]

I take them to a chain sharpening guy for a few bucks apiece. It's probably a bit more aggressive than the hand file method but the chains are expendable and not very pricey so they may be replaced every 2-4 years.

I keep 4 chains on hand in addition to the one on the saw. A quick change out and keep on cutting. :wink_smil

 

[Chris C]

I sharpen by hand with the chain on the saw. I use the same guide with a wood handle.
Every third or fourth sharpening I will gauge the teeth and file them all the same length.

+1...I don't use a guide though.

 

[Michael Mathews]

Dremel with a chain saw blade sharpening jig

 

[Jim M.]

We have a Oregon bench mount chain sharpener here on the farm, once I started using it, I hardly use hand sharpeners anymore. I think you can get one for about $150, but I bet Harbor Freight will have one way cheaper.

 

[nn4jw]

I don't use my chainsaw often enough to sharpen more than once a year, but when I do I use this Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener I bought from Amazon a few years ago for around $40. Works great for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N4L2LO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[chris_goris]

We're doing a lot of chainsaw work at the new house. My method for sharpebing the chainsaw has been a husqvarna guide including round file. I have a proxxon rotary and saw that there is a chainsaw bit and guide set for rotary tools.
I am aware of several other methods.
What is your preferred method for sharpening chainsaws?

Theres people for that!

 

[JackLeg]

If I'm at the shop, I clamp the bar in my vise. Sharpen each tooth the EXACT same number of strokes with the file. Keep the drags filed down. If you get it uneven, she'll tend to "lead" to one side. Just my 2cw!

:notworthy:

 

[redknife]

Theres people for that!

You offerin'?

 

[cpw]

I sharpen by hand with the chain on the saw. I use the same guide with a wood handle.
Every third or fourth sharpening I will gauge the teeth and file them all the same length.

This has been my method previously, but I am going to give a 2 in 1 sharpener a try. I've seen several YouTube videos where guys had tried them out and really liked them because you're filing the cutter and the depth gauge at the same time. I just got mine in the mail yesterday but it will probably be a while before I get a chance to try it out. Bigger fish and all.

 

[Wyatt Co.]

How do I like to do it?

I don't like to do it at all but it's a necessity. I do it by hand with just a standard guide and gauge.

 

[JimD]

I file by hand on the saw like Mike. I use a round file that has a metal visual guide on top. It shows you the angle to file at but does not guide the file that is up to you. Takes longer to change out the chain than to sharpen it. I haven't had to use my chain saw in a long time but I have a few trees that need cutting when I get time.

 

[redknife]

This has been my method previously, but I am going to give a 2 in 1 sharpener a try. I've seen several YouTube videos where guys had tried them out and really liked them because you're filing the cutter and the depth gauge at the same time. I just got mine in the mail yesterday but it will probably be a while before I get a chance to try it out. Bigger fish and all.

I missed that file type. Not very expensive but appears to offer some advantages over the more simple guide and file.

 

[Wyatt Co.]

Takes longer to change out the chain than to sharpen it.

Jeebus, what kind of chain saw do you have? I have 5 and with any of them I can change the bar, the chain, fill it with fuel, and smoke a cigarette in the time in takes to sharpen one of the chains.

 

[cpw]

[video=youtube;aXmK9fMJv6Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXmK9fMJv6Q[/video]

 

[cpw]

fill it with fuel, and smoke a cigarette

Hopefully, not at the same time.

 

[Wyatt Co.]

Hopefully, not at the same time.

Living on the edge....

 

[Willemjm]

I sharpen by hand with the chain on the saw. I use the same guide with a wood handle.
Every third or fourth sharpening I will gauge the teeth and file them all the same length.

Listen to the wisdom of a Master.

I do exactly the same thing, takes no more than 10 minutes to do that and adjust the chain tension. Two strokes with the file per tooth does it. I do it every time before the saw goes back into its case, ready for the next man adventure. :icon_thum