How to Sharpen a Chain

Sharpening a chain is one of the first bits of knowledge needed to properly maintain a chainsaw. Not only is learning to sharpen the chain improving the efficiency of your chainsaw it also prevents wear and tear on other parts of the chainsaw caused by dull blades as well as reducing the chance of the blade catching and actually causing an accident. Anyway here is how you get the job done:

1. 1.       Determine the size and gauge of your saws chain.
2. 2.       Clean the chain thoroughly.
3. 3.       Inspect the chain for damaged or overly worn links and teeth.
4. 4.       Set your saw on a solid surface or clamp the bar on the vice.
5. 5.       Locate the leading cutter at your starting people.
6. 6.       Set your file in the notch on the front of the cutter.
7. 7.       Hold the file at the same angle that the cutter was ground or filed to begin with
8. 8.       Slide the file across the face of the cutter, using a moderate twisting motion to discharge metal chips that are removed.
9. 9.       Work every second tooth identically from your beginning point around the loop.
10. 10.   Reverse sides of the saw and proceed around the unfiled teeth angled in the other direction.
11. 11.   Check the clearance of the rakers (depth gauge), the curve hook shaped beween the cutters.
12. 12.   Oil the chain, check the tension and go get cutting again.