Although a chainsaw is capable of destruction on a large scale, you might be surprised to be told that it is a high precision tool and needs to be kept in perfect condition in order to remain productive as well as maintaining the safety of the operator.
It is imperative that a chainsaw chain is kept in tiptop condition. The chain only really has two states – useless or perfect. A chain which is in perfect condition should cut through timber like a knife through butter. Normally it will require barely any downward pressure to cut through wood, but once it is in need of maintenance it will either require extra pressure or simply try and burn through the wood.You must keep the chain on your chainsaw in absolutely perfect condition. The condition of a chainsaw chain has no middle ground it is either absolutely perfect for the job at hand, or completely useless. Once the chain starts requiring more than a tiny amount of downward pressure to get through the wood it obviously needs sharpening. In perfect condition, the chainsaw should cut through timber just like a knife cuts through butter.
When in perfect condition the chainsaw will produce large chips of wood whereas when the chain is in need of maintenance it will produce sawdust instead. Another sign that the chain is in need of maintenance is when the chainsaw tries to veer off to the left or the right while cutting vertically downwards.
The cutting tips of the chainsaw chain have a thin coating of chrome on the cutting edge. This chrome plate is the bit that does the actual work. As the chain gets worn down, it’s the chrome which is being worn away which is why the chain becomes less effective over time. To get the chain back to its best condition it needs to be filed. One of the most important factors of this operation is to ensure that the right sized file is used to match the chain being filed. Chainsaws are expensive pieces of equipment and will give long and productive service if maintained diligently.
A roller guide is the name of the tool used to file the chainsaw chain in order to get it back to peak operating condition. It is possible to file the chain by hand but it’s unlikely that this will produce as good a result as using the roller guide. Quite often the chain will get worn down by hitting the ground during use or striking a hard object within the timber. When this is the case the chain must be filed down so that the new chrome edge is revealed. The chainsaw chain can be filed down many times as long as there is still 1 mm left on the heel of the cutter.
Even though it can be a time-consuming and fiddly job to re-sharpen an older chain, it is still wise to get as much life out of the chain as you possibly can. Most chain sharpening kits can be snapped up for around $30 and the only other thing required is a pair of protective gloves. Your chain sharpening kit should contain a chainsaw file gauge,a rounded file (which obviously should be the correct size for the chain question) and a flat file to file the depth gauge on the teeth. It is also wise to have a small hard brush at hand (for example an old toothbrush) and a can of resin solvent in order to maintain the chain and prolong it’s life.
The rounded file is used to file down and sharpen the chainsaw chain. The flat file is used to file the depth gauge on each tooth of the chain. The file gauge is used for adjusting the top plate cutting angles of each tooth on the chain. The brush is used to brush away any pieces of debris on the chain before sharpening commences.
If you end up accidentally stretching your chainsaw chain it may be the case that you need to replace it rather than sharpening it. If this is the case you should make sure to note down the make and model of your chainsaw before heading to the shop (if you don’t take the chainsaw there itself) and you should consider taking the old chain as well to ensure a good match. With these tips you should be well set to get the most life out of your chainsaw chain.
Remember – Chainsaws are very useful, but are also extremely dangerous. Please take advice from a qualified professional before using a chainsaw yourself.
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