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How to Hand Sharpen a Chain Saw

For a chain saw to cut effectively and safely, the teeth on the chain require precision sharpening. If the teeth get dull or chipped, the saw won’t slice through the wood quickly, and you will be forced to press down on the saw to cut. This requires extra work from you and increases the likelihood of an accident while cutting. For best results, sharpen the chain before each use, during each refueling stop and after each use. This will cut down on the amount of sharpening time and increase productivity.

Things You'll Need

  • Leather work gloves
  • Rag
  • Properly sized round file
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn the chain saw ignition off chain saw and unlock the chain brake mechanism so the chain spins freely. Put your work gloves on if they aren’t already. Wipe off the chain and bar with the rag so you can see each tooth. Set the chain saw on a flat bench.

    • 2

      Scan the length of the chain for the tooth with the heaviest damage. Place your nondominant hand on the top of the bar to brace the chain saw. Place the tip of the round file, using your dominant hand, into the tooth with the heaviest damage.

    • 3

      Hold the file parallel to the work surface. Adjust the handle of the file to match the proper filing angle as indicated by the saw's instruction manual.

    • 4

      Push the length of the file across the entire tooth. Pick the file up and repeat the stroke using the same amount of force and the same angle. Try your best to file the tooth uniformly. Count the number of strokes it takes to repair the tooth.

    • 5

      Move the chain up to the next tooth, facing the same direction as the first. File this tooth and all of the teeth on the same side first. Use the same angle, force and number of strokes as you used on the first, heaviest damaged tooth.

    • 6

      Turn the chain saw around and repeat the process for all of the teeth facing the opposite direction. Use the same angle, force and number of strokes to file all of the teeth uniformly.

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Garden Tools & Supplies
  1. How to Splice a Saw Chain
  2. How to Sharpen a Harbor Freight Electric Chain Saw
  3. How to Completely Clean a Husqvarna Chain Saw
  4. How to Remove the Chain in a Homelite Saw
  5. How to Remove a Chain on a Tool-less Homelite Saw
  6. How to Cut the Edge on a Chain Saw
  7. How to Use a Stihl File Guide
  8. How to Hand Sharpen Chainsaw Chains
  9. How to File a Crosscut Saw
  10. How to Sharpen a Bow Saw Blade
  11. How to Sharpen an Adze
  12. How to Sharpen a Tuttle Tooth Saw

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