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Simi valley, ca

sharping question? Iv been helping my mother in her firewood business , I used to take the chain (off the saw) to shop to have them sharpen (cost 8$ ea)pluss drive to shop! & i tryed to sharpen them , sometimes i do ok , but My question is is it better to just do it by hand with chain file or does it make more sence to get machine ( northern tool has one for 120$ i will be cutting lots of wood and will need to sharpen often ! Thanks for your time!! Much apreciated !!!

1/27/2010 2:23:44 PM

its a second nature thing to me just to file mine on saw i can put a finer edge without loosing so much of the tooth when use grinder. i do both at times for severe dull its faster to use the grinder if taking off alot-cutting dirt is main reason for chains dull. even number of strokes and same angle on each side with file or it cuts crooked remove the shiny part of tooth.me i can sharpen common 72 link chain in 2 minutes with file i also go thru 900 feet of chain or 3rolls some years

1/27/2010 2:37:45 PM

Simi valley, ca

Thank you Don !! that helps ! I have been splitting 3-4 cords a day with a northern 37 ton splitter , but would do more if the chain would stay sharper , I cut aprox 3 cords with new chain before getting dull, then split the wood !! It seems like there never as sharp a new again though !

1/27/2010 3:10:34 PM

Simi valley, ca

O my appologes i posted on wrong board ,, sorry !!

1/27/2010 3:11:17 PM

Nova Scotia

Fisssh When I used to log I always took 2 sharp chains in with me. if one got dull just swapped out and would sharpen the chains at night on a good work bench.

1/27/2010 3:57:58 PM

Germany

Its absolutly necessary to achieve the right angles and distances. The manufacturers of the chains provide datasheets with the correct measurements. And then the chain is as sharp as new. But I need half an hour for that , two minutes is really woow !

1/27/2010 4:03:15 PM

Aroostook County,Maine

Dont forget to file the rakers down as the cutting teeth get smaller from repeated filings. Do not take off to much when cutting hardwood, it will cause the saw to chatter or bind up, softwood is more forgiving. Also make sure not to overtighten your chain, it makes the saw work harder . and wears out your bar prematurely..and bars generally are not cheap.

1/27/2010 8:30:07 PM

Arden, NC

I've had good luck using a Dremel tool with 5/32 chainsaw grinding tool to sharpen them...quick and easy. Dremel also makes a jig to use if you need it but after doing it a few times the angle comes pretty easily. Orange is right about the rakers... after a few sharpenings the rakers need taking down a bit.

1/27/2010 11:46:38 PM