If you want to get a decent cutting performance from your chainsaw, sharpening the cutters or teeth is a must-do task.
Getting your chainsaw cutters or teeth properly sharpened can become a real pain if you aren’t currently equipped for the task.
Fortunately, some innovative chainsaw sharpening tools are available that are intuitive to use and they produce great results.
In This Guide – We share three of the best chainsaw sharpening tools, plus how to sharpen your chainsaw, and tips and tricks for keeping your saw in great shape.
Benefits of keeping your chainsaw sharp
One of the best things you can do to ensure your chainsaw runs properly (after the proper storage!) is to keep the chain sharpened to a sharp point.
Letting your chainsaw chain go dull will reduce performance and shorten its lifespan.
When a chainsaw has a sharpened chain, the cuts are cleaner and easier for you to operate. A sharp chainsaw helps keep stress off the motor, powerhead, sprocket, and guide bar.
In addition, a sharpened chain will stay sharper longer.
To put it simply, sharpening your chainsaw is worth the time required for the sharpening process.
Keep your chainsaw in great condition with the best chainsaw sharpening tools
A good chainsaw sharpener will assist you in getting the cutters on the chain of your chainsaw correctly sharpened.
Tools that properly hold your chain, file the cutters, and then also level your rakers will make the job easier and lower the risk of making mistakes.
Here’s some advice on what to look for when you are picking sharpening tools.
Manual vs electric chainsaw sharpening tools
Basic hand-held tools, such as files, are very slow and labor-intensive to use. Electric tools get the job done faster with less fatigue.
On the other hand, hand tools are easier to transport, can be used outside the shop, and provide better control over your work.
Portable chainsaw sharpening tools
Portable sharpening tools will be essential when you have been cutting trees for a long spell and need to sharpen your blades away from your workshop.
Most portable chainsaw sharpening tools are going to be manual, but there are electric models available that you can operate with a battery pack.
Adjustability
Accurate measurement of the height and angle of the cutters is necessary for actually sharpening the chainsaw accurately.
Research the appropriate measure tools for your while brand of chainsaw so that you can achieve cutting/working heights through a varying range of tooth heights and angles.
3 best chainsaw sharpening tools
1 – Stihl 2 IN 1 EASY FILE CHAINSAW SHARPENER
Specifications
- Material: Plastic and metal
- Dimensions: 1.14 in x 3.22 in x 1.9 in (2.9 cm x 8.2 cm x 4.8 cm)
- Weight: 12.3 ounces (349 grams)
Description
Experts in chainsaws, Stihl, have proved that usually the best solutions are the simplest, as demonstrated by this 2-in-1 file that levels the depth gauge while sharpening the cutting teeth!
This hand-held manual tool without the laborious task of filing your chainsaw with one action automatically reduces the time you will spend on chain maintenance.
Stihl has measured the sturdy frame for the height and angles of specific chainsaw cutters and accurately and smoothly files the chain.
Files for saw chains include: 1/4″ P, 3/8″ P, .325,” 3/8,” and .404.” It is easy to replace round and flat files as necessary.
Pros
- This chainsaw sharpener is super easy to use. It’s just about fail-proof!
- The sharpener is lightweight and portable, so you can keep your chainsaw sharpened out in the field without fuss.
- The owner’s of this file love the quality of fabrication by Stihl!
Cons
- You must get the correct file size for your chainsaw – check the manufacturer’s manual before ordering your file
2 – QZTODO Chainsaw Sharpening Jig
Specifications
- Material: ABS and metal
- Dimensions: 5.91 in x 5 in x 2.99 in (15 cm x 12.7 cm x 7.59)
- Weight: 14 ounces (396 grams)
Description
The Chainsaw Sharpener Leverage is an excellent option for fast and easy portable chain sharpening.
This sharpener sits across your chain with the accuracy needed to correctly and consistently position the teeth on the chain.
The sharpener is anodized aluminum and will work for a chainsaw from 12 inches to 20 inches in length.
Sharpening will give you a standard 30-degree front angle with the use of the detachable hand crank.
To sharpen cutters you simply pull the tooth into the proper position on the sharpener, place the pawl on the tooth and insert the burr into the guide sleeve on the sharpener.
Turning the handles provides perfect sharpening, with little effort and good consistency.
Pros
- The portable chainsaw sharpening tool can easily be used in the field.
- The crank action yields consistent sharpening.
- It is a useful tool for the occasional grinding of damaged cutters.
Cons
- Some purchasers felt this jig was not up to sharpening an entire chainsaw chain
3 – EzzDoo 3 in 1 Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit
Specifications
- Power: 150 watts
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Motor: up to 35,000 rpm
- Dimensions: 13 in x 6 in x 3 in (33 cm x 15 cm x 7.6 cm)
- Weight: 1.4 pounds (635 grams)
Description
If you like speed and power, but still want the portability and control of a handheld device, this power chainsaw grinder is going to be a perfect tool to add to your kit.
You will have your chain sharp in a matter of minutes with this 150W high power sharpener that has 6 speed gears to operate at sped of 35,000 rpm.
The soft rubber grip allows you to hold the grinder without cramping your hand, and effectively absorbs some vibrations and shock so that you can operate the tool properly.
The titanium plated sharpening bits can be oriented properly through the angled metal guide.
Pros
- A compact and extremely easy handheld tool for getting your chainsaw cutters sharpened correctly
- A power tool is faster and requires far less effort.
Cons
- You have to get the bit size or angling right by hand, or you could significantly damage your chainsaws teeth
How to sharpen a chainsaw
While sharpening your chainsaw does take some effort, it should be simple and easy to do with the right tools.
There are three main steps on getting your chainsaw up to scratch:
- setting the file
- sharpening the cutters
- filing the rakers.
Let’s run through the key steps.
[A] Setting the file
- when handling and filing the chainsaw, remember the fundamentals eye protection, mask, and gloves. Make sure you are in a bright work area and a worktop and area that is free of obstacles.
- Securing your chainsaw with a clamp or vise to a work surface is very important for safety and effectiveness when filing the chainsaw. If the whole chainsaw cannot be secured, you can always take the chain off of the chain saw and work on it separately.
- When the chainsaw is secured, you need to tension the chain for filing purposes. This can be done with a tension-adjusting screw in the chainsaw. Make sure that the chain is tight enough with just the right amount of give to make the chain move easily around the chainsaw with a reasonable amount of effort.
- Mark the first tooth of the chain so you have a reference mark as to what you have filed with a permanent marker.
- Select a round file that has the same diameter as the chain teeth. The manual of your chainsaw typically indicates what diameter saw chain you have. It is usually between 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) and 7/32 inch (5.6 mm) in diameter.
- When using the file you will need to orient it correctly to meet the edge of the cutter, as each cutter is facing opposite directions. You can use a file holder or a saw file to get the correct direction of the file. The file will also need to be at the correct angle (usually between 25 and 35 degrees) when filing.
[B] Sharpening your cutters
- In order to file your cutter, move the file across the cutting face, keeping it flat and level as you push it through the cutter. File forward motion only, between 5 and 10 times, or until the cutter is sharp, indicated by a shiny cutting surface.
- File alternate cutters beginning at your marked starting point, filing the same number of times for each cutter. Blow the metal shavings away.
- Rotate the chain until you have filed every cutter that is pointed in the same direction.
- After you have completed the cutters in the same direction, file the alternate cutters the same number of times for a balanced job. Flip the chainsaw 180 and file the alternate cutters in the same direction, using the same number of passes in order to have a balanced job..
[C] File the rakers
Rakers are the depth gauges on the chainsaw that ensures the saw cuts the proper amount of wood.
Keeping them leveled enables you to get the best performance from the cutting portion of the saw.
- Use a depth gauge to check that rakers are at the proper height.
- Put the depth gauge over the chain, so that it is flush against a raker. No rakers should be above the top of the depth gauge. Rakers higher than the depth gauge needs to be file down.
- File down the raker with a flat-file.
- File down (if necessary) to smooth out the squaring of the filed raker edges.
- Check and file down alternate rakers as necessary, all the way around the chain.
- Blow any metal shavings off of the chain.
- Loosen the tension and remove the chain from the chainsaw. You will see a noticeable difference in the sharpness of the chain, and know you have sharpened it properly.
Frequently asked questions for the best chainsaw sharpening tools
How can I clean my chainsaw chain before filing it?
Before you start sharpening your chainsaw, you always want to make sure it is clean.
Dirt, grime, grease, and tree sap can build up on the chain and the teeth, creating quite a gunky mess, and a clean up can be nearly impossible without the right cleaners.
Here are two widely used products.
Cleaning a chainsaw chain with water and ammonia
- Put on your gloves and safety glasses and treat your chainsaw like you are about to sharpen it:
- Remove the chain from the guide bar and remove any gunk from the bar groove.
- Let the chain soak in a water/ammonia solution for roughly thirty minutes.
- Use a wire brush to scrub off the gunk that was soaked loose.
- Hose down the chain completely and use rags to dry it completely.
- After the chain is cleaned, treat it by soaking it in chain and bar oil before reattaching it to the guide bar.
Cleaning a chainsaw chain with WD-40
WD40 is a great cleaner too! Once you take the chain off and have cleaned the bar, soak the chain into some warm water and a WD-40 degreaser.
Then take a wire brush and scrub off the scum, rinse the chain off with clean water and wipe it dry. Then put the chainsaw back together and lubricate it again with the WD-40.
What else do I need to do to maintain my chainsaw?
Routine maintenance of your chain saw will prolong the life of your sharpening process and functionality of your chain saw.
Here are some simple maintenance tips for you.
Keep the bar oil reservoir in your chainsaw topped up
Most chainsaw models will have an oil reservoir on the side of the machine. Unscrew the reservoir cap, pour chain and bar oil into the reservoir, and replace the cap, ensuring that it is on securely before operating the chainsaw.
Clean your filter
Prior to utilizing your chainsaw, be sure to check the condition of the filter. If the filter is dirty and clogged, then clean or replace the filter.
Clean your fuel tank
Draining out old fuel and debris in the fuel tank will yield a chainsaw that both runs better and improves engine performance overall.
Check the brake-band
If you use a chainsaw continuously it will wear the chain brake band that encircles the clutch drum of the chainsaw.
Check it for cracks and weaknesses and have a low tolerance for replacing it if it’s faulty.
Rounding up
Keeping your chainsaw’s blade sharpened will help it operate effectively and safely for long periods of time.
Do this by maintaining your chainsaw; sharpen it frequently and you’ll get your chainsaw and all the chainsaw tools to last longer.
With the best chainsaw sharpening equipment you can effectively and efficiently maintain your chainsaw so that you can depend on it for things like cutting firewood, felling trees, and so on plenty of times.