How to sharpen chainsaw blades by hand

how to sharpen chainsaw blades by hand

Chainsaw Sharpening

We look at several options showing you How to sharpen chainsaw blades by hand with some top rated equipment.

Whether you’re cutting firewood for the winter, trimming brush, or cutting out columns and beams on a wood structure, a dull chain on your chainsaw is something that needs to be fixed. 

Trying to cut with a dull chain is not only frustrating and time consuming, but it’s also dangerous. If you know how to sharpen a chainsaw blade with a round file, then you’ll be able to avoid this problem.

Knowing how to hand file a chainsaw chain in the field can save you a lot of time.

You’ll need to know the proper chainsaw file size for your saw and you’ll want to know which is the best chainsaw sharpener for your saw.

Please note:
If viewing from Canada, France or United Kingdom articles selected to view may be substituted for an equivalent model if the selected model is not available in your country.

Here are five for you to consider.

Granberg Bar-Mount Chain Saw Sharpener

How to sharpen chainsaw blades by handThis is a guide that clamps directly to the bar on your chainsaw. The guide lets you file the chain on the chainsaw bar with the accuracy of a professional.

Specs:
• Sharpens all major saw chain pitches.
• Attaches to the chainsaw bar.
• Lowers the depth gauge accurately.
• Allows you to match the proper chain angle to manufacturer specs.

Pros
This guide is great for sharpening your saw out in the field. Helps you avoid the chain sloppiness of freehand sharpening by maintaining a consistent angle and depth.

Cons
Use of the guide has a significant learning curve. Some customers complained that the instructions along with the guide were not clear.

Comments
If you already know, How to sharpen chainsaw blades by hand, with a round file, then you’ll love using this guide to produce better and faster results.

 

Get the latest price of Granberg Bar-Mount Chain Saw Sharpener here...

 

 

 

Oregon 557849 Professional Filing Guide

hand-sharpener-2wpThis guide is smooth gliding and allows you to produce precision, accurate sharpening to your chain while it is still attached to the chainsaw blade.

It is meant to be used out in the field.

Specs:
• Installs on the bar with the chain in place.
• Precision smooth gliding guide.
• Results are comparable to a motorized grinder.

Pros
Includes clear instructions on how to sharpen chainsaw blade while using the guide. It helps you avoid the sloppiness that comes from human error when freehand sharpening.

Cons
Some customers complained of the glide bar being a little bit stiff initially. It’s a little bit bulky for carrying around in more remote locations.

Comments
Ultimately, the ease of use and accuracy of this guide make it a decent tool for accurately sharpening a chainsaw blade. It’s portable and easy to use out in the field, but is a little bulkier than its nearest competitor.

 

See the latest price of Oregon 557849 Professional Filing Guide here…

 

 

 

 

 

Husqvarna 531300082 .325-Inch Pixel Chain Saw Blade File Kit For 340, 345, 346XP, 350, 351, 353

How to sharpen chainsaw blades by handThis is a chainsaw filing kit with everything you need for filing your chainsaw blade out in the field.

It comes with a handle, which fits two round files and flat file, as well as a combination filing gauge that helps you file at the proper angle.

Specs:
To be used with Husky models 340, 345, 346XP, 350, 351, 353
• Includes the correct chainsaw file size for the above models

Pros
Light weight for when you aren’t able to pack a filing guide. The gauge guides the flat file, which helps to shorten the tang as the tooth gets shorter; an important part of sharpening that some guides ignore.

Cons
There’s a little more of a learning curve with this kit than with the guides.

Comments
If you’re out in the field and want a really light load to carry (like in your back pocket), this is the file set for you.

 

The latest price of Husqvarna 531300082 .325-Inch Pixel Chain Saw here…

 

 

 

 

Husqvarna 653000035 SharpForce Chain Sharpener 3/16″

husqvarna-sharpforce-chain-sharpener
This is a chainsaw file with the depth gauge, guide and file all attached to the same handle.

It helps you sharpen your chainsaw blade in the field without the need of a separate gauge or guide.

Specs:
3/16” round file
• Handle, guide, file and depth gauge in a single unit.

Pros
If you do logging out in the bush, you don’t want to carry a guide, nor several different pieces, which you’ll probably set down and lose with you.

You can put this sharpener in your pocket and pull it out when you need to touch up your blade.

Cons
You need to know what you’re doing with this file in order to get your angles right.

Comments
This sharpener gives you the best of both worlds. The great portability of a file. Because a guide and depth gauge to help you maintain the proper chain teeth angle.

 

View the latest price of Husqvarna 531300082 .325-Inch Pixel Chain Saw here…

 

 

 

Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener with 3/16″ Carbide Cutter

How to sharpen chainsaw blades by handThis unit also clamps onto the bar, which allows the chain to be draw through after each tooth is sharpened.

The tungsten carbide cutter is hand turned using a handle.

The carbide guides are fixed at the universal angle of 30 degrees.

Specs:
Sharpens every tooth at the same length and angle.
• High quality machined aluminum.
• Portable.
• Professional accuracy.

Pros

  • It’s lightweight and portable.
  • It doesn’t take off too much material at a time.
  • So the chain has greater longevity.
  • As a result it keeps an accurate angle.
  • Because file sharpeners sometimes don’t.

If you don’t know how to sharpen chainsaw blade, then this tool might be a great fit.

Cons
Because Carbine tips are brittle. Is a little pricy compared to other sharpeners.

Comments
Besides, better than freehand sharpening, especially when it comes to a problem of over filing.

It’s portability and ease of use are certainly a plus.

 

See the latest price of Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener here…

 

 

 

How to sharpen chainsaw blades by hand – which is the best method for you?

So the best chainsaw sharpener will depend on how and where you use your saw.

Because if you know how to sharpen chainsaw blades with a round file, the right chainsaw file size. Above all not to allow your blade to become damaged, warn or dull. Therefore any one of these sharpeners might work for you.

Learn how to hand file a chainsaw chain and make sure you keep it sharp, because a dull saw is a dangerous saw.

Which are the best tool sharpening systems?…more…