A chainsaw is a faithful assistant in the household and at work related to sawing wood. This is a universal tool that can be used to saw off excess branches in the garden, trim roof rafters, and also cut down trees at logging sites. And in each type of work, not only a powerful and reliable engine, but also a chain will be important. Actually, it cuts the material.
Like any other element that is in constant contact with the material, the chain gradually wears out and becomes dull. The same thing happens, for example, with a drill bit. Proper sharpening of the chain allows you to work quickly and accurately, with maximum productivity. A dull chain dooms the owner of a chainsaw, even one equipped with an expensive brand blade, to failure.
Tools for sharpening chainsaw teeth and reasons for rapid dulling
A chainsaw needs to sharpen its teeth, and this should be done regularly depending on the frequency of use of the tool, which will not only ensure efficient operation, but will also extend its service life. To achieve maximum efficiency from a gas-powered wood cutting tool, you need to learn how to sharpen the chain. There are various devices for this.
Tooth design on chainsaws
All chainsaws need chain sharpening, regardless of their brand and cost. The reasons for the rapid dulling of teeth are:
- Long-term use of the tool. When sawing wood, the metal heats up, so during prolonged operation the resistance of the cutting parts decreases. As a result, the cutting part becomes licked, and the longer you continue to work, the faster dulling will occur.
- Getting under the cutting parts of metal materials, such as nails or screws that are screwed into the wood being cut
- Improper starting and operation of the tool also contributes to rapid dulling of the chain. When starting or while working with the tool, when the chainsaw is on the ground, you need to apply the hand brake. If earth gets into the teeth, this will lead to their rapid dulling and accelerated wear of the chain.
- Type of wood being cut. If hardwood trees are processed, dulling occurs very quickly
For proper sharpening on chainsaws, special round and flat files are used, which are supplied with the tool. These files are designed for sharpening cutting edges in the field. Moreover, it is important to perform this procedure on a cooled instrument.
Homemade products for sharpening chains
Before starting work with gas-powered tools, you need to sharpen the cutting elements. Before you start sharpening chainsaws with your own hands, you need to determine the design of the cutting edges. The cutting edges of the chains have a lateral and beveled shape (chisel or chipper). The angle of the file during sharpening depends on this.
The design of links on chainsaws
The easiest way to sharpen teeth on an electric or chainsaw is to use the files that come with the tools. Such files can also be purchased at a specialized store that sells gas-powered tools. If you need to sharpen several chains every day, then it is advisable to use a grinder or a special machine.
This is interesting! When working with a grinder for sharpening, it is important to use a voltage regulator, with which you can reduce the number of revolutions.
Sharpening chainsaw chains manually
Among all the available methods by which you can give chainsaw teeth their original sharpness, sharpening with a file is considered the simplest. However, first you need to prepare:
- Remove the chain from the saw.
- Clean off any remaining oil, sawdust and other contaminants.
- Take a dry cloth and walk along the chain to remove small debris.
- Select suitable files (small and large).
- Start the sharpening procedure.
Particular attention should be paid to cleaning the chain from oil residues and other contaminants, which should be carried out most thoroughly. The need for this operation is due not only to the measure of protection against the transfer of dirt to hands and clothing. A well-cleaned chain will allow you to better see it and its links.
There are common situations where chips can get stuck between the teeth or in them. And this is one of the reasons for the deterioration of tool performance.
Sharpening features
Considering that the base of the tooth is formed by two separate elements, the process of sharpening each of them will be carried out differently. The cutting edge located at the top provides for a one-sided conical sharpening .
It is important to maintain the optimal sharpening angle, which should be in the range from 15 to 30 degrees. Moreover, it is advisable to maintain a minimum sharpening angle, since this will simplify the entry of the saw into the wood.
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It should be taken into account that as the angle decreases, the metal becomes thinner, and this will speed up the process of steel dulling. When choosing a sharpening angle, it is also necessary to take into account the type of wood that you plan to saw.
- To work with hardwoods, such as oak or larch, the sharpening angle must be maintained at 30 degrees.
- When working with soft woods, such as pine, fir and many types of garden trees, a sharpening angle of 20 degrees is considered optimal.
- If the tool is used to trim not very thick branches of fruit trees, then a sharpening angle of 15 degrees will be sufficient.
The second tooth, which is a guide, usually has double-sided sharpening . Here you don’t have to focus on maintaining the angle of inclination of the cutting edge. It must be remembered that it should not be too small or large. It is best to stick to the average value - 30 degrees.
Among the elite models of the tool, there are those that have a chain with teeth equipped with a reinforced blade . You can tell whether a chainsaw has such an amplifier by its appearance.
Usually on the edge of the tooth you can see a fixed special cutting edge , which has a completely different color and texture. Having identified this element, you can refuse to sharpen the tool chain.
This will be correct, given that such amplifiers contain ultra-strong alloys that cannot be sharpened by hand. If the chain has lost its sharpness, then the only solution is to buy a new one.
The process of sharpening a chainsaw chain with a file
To sharpen a chain using a file, you must perform the following steps:
- prepare needle files of suitable sizes (small and large);
- place the chain in a vice and fix it in it; the vice can be replaced with a clamp;
- start sharpening the upper cutting edge;
- the operation itself should be performed in the direction from the body of the tooth to the tip;
- start sharpening the guide edge;
- The sharpening tool must be moved in the direction from the body to the tip, changing sides from time to time.
During the sharpening process, it is necessary to maintain the specified direction of movement of the file, since, otherwise, this will lead to even greater dulling of the chain. Moreover, this rule works regardless of whether a manual or automated device is used for sharpening.
Features of sharpening teeth using a file
Sharpening with a file begins with the correct choice of the diameter of the device. For 1.3 mm chains, a file with a diameter of 4 mm is used. For cutting teeth measuring 1.6 mm, a file with a diameter of 5.2 mm is used.
Sharpening with a round file
Sharpening with a file must be done directly on the tool, having first secured the tire in a vice and turned on the hand brake. In order for the process to occur quickly, you need to sharpen the teeth first on one side at a certain angle, and then on the other side. The start of work should be marked with chalk or a marker.
Types of files
Using a reciprocating motion with a flat file, the stoppers are removed from the teeth. Beginners are recommended to use a special pattern that is attached to the tire, and all that remains is to make reciprocating movements with a round file. Experienced craftsmen sharpen using only a file, performing reciprocating movements 1-2 times for each tooth.
Technical parameters of chainsaw chains
It should be noted that the chain pitch directly affects the performance of the sawing tool. Therefore, to perform a large amount of work, it is recommended to choose a chain with the largest possible teeth .
Using a tool like this, the work can be done with less effort and quickly.
Technical characteristics that are important to pay attention to when choosing chains for chainsaws:
- step interval;
- number of links;
- their thickness;
- planned type and scope of work.
The smallest step is 1/4. If a chainsaw is equipped with a chain with this pitch, then it is suitable for performing simple household tasks . She will do an excellent job of cleaning fruit trees, but at the same time she will not be able to cut firewood.
Products from many European and Chinese manufacturers most often have a chain with a pitch of 0.325 and 3/8. A chain with a similar interval can cope with a wide range of work , including the removal of fairly thick trees reaching a diameter of more than two meters.
Steps 0.404 and 3/4. Chains with such an interval are usually equipped with tools for industrial use . Choosing a chain with a pitch within this range is advisable if the sawing tool is needed for frequent sawing of forest, as well as harvesting thick logs or performing tree cutting work.
As the number of links increases, the process of sawing wood becomes easier. Thus, a parameter such as the number of links also needs to be taken into account. However, a more important characteristic is their thickness, which can have the following values: 1.1 mm; 1.3 mm; 1.5 mm; 1.6 mm.
If the tool is intended for domestic use, it is recommended to choose a chain whose teeth have a thickness of 1.3 mm . If a buyer is looking for a tool for logging, it is recommended to choose a chain with a tooth size of 1.5 mm.
In cases where the chainsaw meets the tasks that need to be solved in all respects, however, there is a drop in performance, we can conclude that the reason for this is a dull chain . If poor performance is due to other problems, then the only correct solution is to buy a new chain.
Sharpening on special manual and automated machines
If a tooth has significant wear, restoring its sharpness will be problematic. For such purposes, special manual machines are used, the functioning of which is carried out in the following way:
- The screw for adjusting the clamp is loosened
- The direction of the links is aligned on the saw, which should face the sharpening stone
- The required angle is set
Manual precision sharpening machine
Deep sharpening will negatively affect the strength of the teeth, so you may soon need to replace the chain. After completing the work, you can begin to remove the metal edge using a compressor. It doesn't hurt to place the entire device in oil for a few hours.
For sharpening, automated machines are used, on which the chain is placed and fixed. The device is fixed in the tool, after which the engine starts. Chains on which it is impossible to sharpen the teeth with a file need such sharpening.
Automated machine
Sharpening chainsaw chains on a machine
Sharpening the chain of a medium-sized tool is quite lengthy and takes at least 6–8 hours.
In this regard, it makes sense to use electrical appliances to solve the problem. If sharpening is performed using a drill, then it will have to be used in combination with a conventional “sharpening stone” attachment. But you need to make sure that the width of the nozzle matches or slightly exceeds the plane of the tooth blade. Otherwise, the chain will be sharpened unevenly.
In addition, to ensure high-quality sharpening, it is necessary to use a sharpening stone , the surface of which should not have unevenness, as well as any other defects.
The algorithm for preparing for sharpening of this type is as follows:
- You need to loosen the screw that adjusts the chain clamp.
- Then you need to adjust the chain so that its teeth are directed towards the sharpening element.
- Finally, it is necessary to fix the equipment at a certain angle.
If you use a standard stone for sharpening, you will have to grind it to the required size or use special grinding stones . The latter are smaller in size compared to sharpening ones, made of less durable material and quickly exhaust their working life.
At the same time, due to the lower strength, overheating of the metal is eliminated, and this allows the steel to remain just as strong. If the work is done using a sharpening stone, then it is necessary to take pauses between every 2-3 sharpenings of the tooth - these are necessary to cool the stone.
unacceptable to use water for artificial cooling ; here the option is to use a fan or apply a sharpening stone to pieces of ice previously wrapped in rags.
Considering that the sharpening machine has quite a lot of power, it is advisable that the sharpening operation on it be performed by professionals. If you use a regular household sharpening machine, it is able to return its former sharpness only to the upper cutting edge.
This limitation is due to the size of the machine. However, if you use the machine only to sharpen half of the teeth, then this work will take half as much time.
How to sharpen teeth with a grinder
If an automated sharpening machine seems expensive, then a grinder can replace it. This tool should be used as a sharpening machine if you have extensive experience working with angle grinders. If you work with an angle grinder incorrectly, it can not only harm your health, but also the chain itself, the teeth of which will be incorrectly sharpened.
The principle of sharpening with an angle grinder is as follows:
- The chain remains on the tool
- The sharpening angle is visually selected
- The tool is turned on at half power using a connected voltage regulator
Sharpening with a grinder
Each tooth must be sharpened with a grinder. If the angle is chosen incorrectly, it will be possible to determine this already at the first launch of the tool.
Homemade device for sharpening chainsaw chains with your own hands
It is recommended to make homemade devices for sharpening chainsaw chains in cases where you have to sharpen the chain on the tool every day. This homemade device is an electric motor with an abrasive disc attached to the shaft. It is necessary to use an abrasive disc, since it is impossible to perform this procedure with a grinding wheel.
The principle of making a homemade machine is that the engine should be of low power and fixed to the base. A special template is made on which the cutting element of the tool is fixed. A rotating disk together with a motor is manually brought to each tooth, and they are sharpened. It is important that the engine is movable and the chain is fixed in a stationary state.
Such a device (from a low-power electric motor) is the best option for those who are engaged in professional sharpening. Additionally, you can also make a special template for securing the device. This will reduce the need to manually adjust the angle.
This is interesting! Practice shows that Chinese teeth sharpening machines are popular due to their efficiency. Their main disadvantage is the cost, but if you have such a device at home, you can earn extra money from it.
As a conclusion, it should be noted that the chain is an important device in every chainsaw. It needs regular sharpening, and the longer you do not sharpen the teeth, the sooner the time will come to replace the device. It is important to understand that working with a tool with blunt teeth puts a lot of stress on the engine.
Methods, methods and devices for sharpening
If you use the saw irregularly, it is advisable to resolve the sharpening issue with the help of service departments. Specialized tool shops provide such services everywhere. The cost of the issue is usually low, but sometimes complaints arise about the results of the work performed. If you want to get high-quality chain sharpening, you should take this issue into your own hands. Let's take a closer look at how to do this.
There are several types of chain sharpening methods:
- manual using a plank and a file;
- manual using a grinder;
- manual sharpening machine;
- automatic sharpening device for chainsaw chains.
In order to decide on the sharpening method, you need to evaluate the intensity of use of the saw. If working with a tool is sporadic, then it is enough to have the simplest sharpening devices on the household. The least expensive method is manual, carried out using a special round file and a strip.
The sharpening operation can be a little more expensive using a grinder. But considering that this tool, as a rule, is always present in the arsenal of masters, the price will not be much more.
If gasoline and electric saws are widely used in work, it is advisable to purchase an industrial sharpener. There are two possible options:
- with manual chain movement;
- with automatic feeding.
Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Using a file and plank
In tool stores you can purchase the simplest and most inexpensive device for sharpening chainsaw chains. It consists of only two components - a strip and a file. The bar is designed to ensure the correct sharpening angle. It is attached directly to the chain and serves as a guide for the round file. The sharpening process, of course, is somewhat tedious and requires certain skills. But in terms of cost, this is the cheapest option. And if you have some experience, you can get a fairly high-quality result.
Manual sharpening with a grinder
To safely use an angle grinder to sharpen a saw, you need to make a chainsaw attachment with your own hands. Its essence is to secure the angle grinder, ensuring its immobility. Or you can fix the chain with a mandrel, but this option is more labor-intensive, since it must be moved periodically to provide access to all the teeth.
Some craftsmen manage to sharpen a chain without removing the saw from the bar. But this requires special dexterity and skill, because it is quite difficult to choose the recommended angles with an angle grinder suspended.
You can secure the angle grinder either in a vice by its handle, or using a homemade stepladder holding the tool by the body. The result is a device that resembles a garage emery machine.
Having secured and started the device, you can proceed directly to the process of sharpening the chainsaw chain with a grinder. And here it is important to correctly guide the teeth, maintaining the required angle and depth of entry of the sharpener. Experimentally determine the time of exposure of the emery wheel to the tooth, preventing it from overheating and loss of hardness.
The result of the work performed depends on the dexterity and skill of the performer. The chain being sharpened has only one support - the master's hands. This means that he exclusively sets the sharpening parameters, and the success of the process depends on his skill. The biggest disadvantage of this method is the increased risk of injury.
Using a chainsaw attachment
The most common sharpening device is an industrial device with an electric motor, on the shaft of which an emery wheel is installed. The engine is hinged on the frame and has the ability to be driven to the teeth of the chain, which, in turn, is fixed in special brackets that allow it to be moved by bringing it under the grinding wheel.
This design is very simple, accurate, safe and productive. The process goes quite quickly, since there is no need to monitor sharpening angles. And the depth and time of cutting are successfully controlled by the operator.
Automatic sharpening machines
There is almost no fundamental difference in the design of automatic and manual machines. An automatic broaching unit has been added, allowing human participation in the process to be reduced to a minimum. It is only important to install the chain correctly and start the machine. An important feature is the ability to adjust the tooth sharpening angle, which allows you to sharpen chains from various manufacturers.
