|
|
|
Chainsaws |
|
In the pictures to the right, the area colored red is the part which is sharpened.
Chainsaws are sharpened using a number of tools.
I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees. Henry David Thoreau |
Side View |
Top View |
| Saw Type | Rake | Fleam | Drop | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosscut | 30° | 30° | 5° to 10° | These are the standard blades. |
| Rip | 50° | 0° | 5° to 10° | These are non-standard blades. |
If the chainsaw's blade has become gunked up, it can be immersed in a carburetor cleaning solution, and then scrubbed with a wire brush. Spray carburetor cleaner (in an aerosol can) can quickly remove any solvent remaining on the chainsaw's blade.
The file size needed, based on the chain used, should be as noted in the table below. It is best to consult your machine's manual though.
| Chain Pitch | File diameter | Chain Part Number | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial | Metric | Oregon | Husqvarna | Stihl | |
| 1/4” | 5/32” | 4 mm | 25 | H00 | 13, 71 |
| 0.325” | 3/16” | 4.8 mm | 20, 21, 22, 33, 34, 35, 80, 95 | H21, H22, H23, H25, H26, H27, H30, H78 | 23, 25, 26 |
| 3/8” | 13/64” | 5.2 mm | 72, 73, 75 | H42, H45, H46, H47, H48, H48S, H50, H51, H54, H80, H81, H82, H83, H475 | 35, 36 |
| 0.404” | 7/32” | 5.5 mm | 16, 18, 19, 27, 68 | H57, H64, H65 | 40, 46 |
Husqvarna's file handle
When using a hand file for filing a chainsaw blade, ensure that you also use a file handle. Husqvarna makes one (shown in the picture to the right) which is nice as the two angled edges are at 25° and 30° so it is easy to use that as a reference for the fleam angle.
This handle fits 4.0-4.5 mm round files and 6-8” flat files.
I prefer this handle style for sharpening chainsaw blades over the wooden file handles.
Oregon Products makes a very useful field sharpening kit with the three most common chain files and a flat file for reducing the size of the chip thickness depth gauge. (Though they don't seem to show it on their web site; I bought mine via Amazon.)
The kit also includes guides/jigs for use with both sets of files, and the round file guide has marks for the fleam at 25°, 30°, & 35° to make the process easier.
If the saw is generating fine (not chunky) sawdust, increase the Chip Thickness by filing down the leading edge of the cutting tooth. Be careful to not take off too much.