If the chainsaw chain is well and sharply sharpened, then this will ensure efficient, safe and accurate work with firewood. Sharpening the saw chain is necessary as the teeth become dull. You can find out how worn they are by the chain tension. If the latter is strongly extended, then we can say that it has become blunt and must be sharpened. Those who cut wood professionally do it several times a week. If the saw is used at home, then the chain will have to be sharpened much less frequently. The rate of tooth wear is affected by the frequency, as well as the intensity with which the tool is operated. If the sawing process is much slower, then it's time to sharpen the chain. The sharpening process can be performed in a variety of ways. For this, there are special machines, various devices are made, and saw chains are also sharpened with files. Consider various techniques and methods.
Why sharpen chainsaw chains?
The answer to this question is clear to everyone, but there are some nuances and subtleties that only experts know about. The process of sharpening chains is not the most difficult process. However, this is the case when there issome experience of similar procedures, and also there are all necessary tools and devices.
Quality saw chain sharpening requires the achievement of complex geometric characteristics of each tooth. This is not easy to do. Any work with a chainsaw must be read only if its chain is well sharpened. Otherwise, if you work with a saw with a blunt chain, the efficiency of such work will drop significantly. It also has a negative impact on the instrument itself. Before using the saw, you need to make sure that it is in good condition. In addition, a well-sharpened chain is much more important than the characteristics of the motor.
Dumb chain: possible problems
You can see that the saw chain needs to be sharpened not only by poor cuts. Serious vibrations during operation will report blunting. Strong shaking will be transmitted to the hands.
Tooth wear can be caused by frequent use. It happens that the chains are sharpened 4-5 times a week. The reason for this is the large amount of work and some additional factors. So, the teeth become dull due to the contact of the chain with the ground or with hardwoods. It is important to remember that sharpening the saw chain, done in a timely manner, will not only improve the quality of the cut, but also increase the life of the chainsaw and the chain itself.
What does a dull chain do?
Working with this saw often results in more than just a slower cut or higher consumptionfuel. More serious problems are vibrations that are transmitted to the elements of the tool body. They can cause severe wear or breakage of the drive sprocket or tire. It is these elements that, if damaged, reduce productivity and then cause wear of other tool components. As a result, you have to constantly repair the saw or buy a new one, but even with such operation it will not last long.
About correct sharpening
There are several rules that must be strictly observed. Then the chain teeth and the tool will serve for a long time. The height of the limiter, as well as the sharp section on the link after sharpening, must fully comply with the factory parameters. It is not necessary to speed up the processes - it is enough to sharpen as technologically as possible. It is not recommended to grind or replace chain links - the adequate operation of the saw depends on how all the elements are the same. If you make a mistake at this stage, then serious loads will affect not only the motor and body. There is a high risk of breaking the chain, which in itself is very dangerous.
File sharpening features: tool selection
It is important to pay attention to the geometric parameters and contours of the teeth - this is a circle. The tooth itself is made of very soft materials. If the sharpening process will be carried out using a file, then the latter must be only round.
Before choosing a suitable processing option, you should find out the parameterschain and choose a suitable fixture strictly for the shape of the teeth and their pitch in the chain. Often it is 4-4.5 mm. The file should not be set more than 1/5 above the top edge of the tooth. It is also important to hold the tool correctly in relation to the processed planes. This is a right angle to the vertical plane. The sharpening angle of saw chains in relation to the horizontal plane should be from 10 to 30 degrees.
Filing
Professionals do not advise using ordinary files from the arsenal of a home master. They are not very convenient for these purposes. Today on sale you can find special kits. This is a round file, a flat file for filing depth gauges, and a hook for cleaning chainsaws. Additionally, you will need a special tire. The first tool is considered the best because it already has special lines. It is necessary to focus on them, and then the work will be done most correctly. The insert will be able to rest on the tooth stop as well as on the top lines of the incisal area. The file is placed directly under the cutting part of the tooth. Such a saw chain sharpening device is a guarantee of high-quality work performance due to the precise installation of the tool. First of all, fix the tire and select a file that is suitable in diameter. Further, when only a fifth of the tool protrudes above the cutting section of the tooth, processing begins. A high-quality result can only be achieved if the movements of the file are strictly in one direction.
After making several passes, keep an eye on the stops on the teeth and adjust them if necessary.
File Tips
Experts do not advise using such a device for sharpening saw chains for a long time. This is especially true if the cost of the saw is quite high. A file is fine as a last resort, but professional equipment should be used otherwise.
In the event that the kit has already been purchased, and there is a desire to sharpen the saw yourself, you should be guided by the recommendations of specialists:
In the process of work, do not put pressure on the tool - the movements should be as accurate as possible. It is recommended to turn the tool around its axis - thus, sharpening will be uniform, and the tool will grind off on each side. Each tooth must be processed, observing strict sequence and accuracy. It is recommended to work in one direction, and then change it and process the teeth on the other side
Each tooth must be pressed with the same force. This also applies to the number of movements performed. This is the only way to ensure quality and uniformity. If the teeth are of different lengths, choose the shortest one. All others are ground to its length
Using sharpening machines
Sharpening with a file is a forced measure. In other cases, professionals recommend purchasing a special machine for sharpening saw chains. This equipment is both manual andelectric. Due to the use of a complex mechanism, such processing will allow you to sharpen the chain as accurately as possible. One adjustment of the machine to the shortest tooth is enough, and the machine will automatically adjust all other teeth to this parameter. This ensures a more uniform sharpening and the best performance in operation. The device for sharpening saw chains is first adjusted to the control tooth. It is sharpened first, and only then other parameters are configured. Further, without changing the settings, you can evenly sharpen all the remaining teeth.
The advantages of using machines are the ability to fine-tune all important process parameters, adjust the levels and angles of approach, more uniform sharpening, fit each tooth to the original parameters. With such machines, you do not need to think about how chainsaw chains are sharpened with grinders. It is enough to follow the basic rules for the operation and operation of the machine. The result is a sharp saw chain.
Sharpening with a machine: how to do it
First of all, loosen the chain clamp adjusting screw. Then the saw is installed in a manual or electric saw chain sharpening machine so that the chain links look at the working element of the machine. Next set the angle. Initially, it is 30 degrees, however, depending on the specific machine, other options are possible. The sharpening process is carried out in two ways. Each tooth is sharpened sequentially, or the process will go “through one”. In the latter case, you spend less time. ExceptIn addition, when carrying out such a procedure, all possible errors are excluded.
Features of working with machines
When working with such equipment, professionals recommend following some rules with which the work will go faster and there will be no problems in the process. So, the most correct level is determined by the shortest tooth.
He should be a guide. Sharpening should not be deep. This affects the strength and durability of the links. After sharpening each tooth, blow and lubricate the chain.
How to properly sharpen a chainsaw
A file is a temporary solution, and buying a machine for the sake of infrequent work with it is simply unwise.
In addition, a detailed examination of the process, you can find out that with small amounts of work with a saw, it is better to give the chain to professionals than to spend your own nerves on independent work. Now in many cities a service is offered - sharpening saw chains. Addresses can be found in local newspapers or chain sales and repair shops. For example, in Moscow, the Master Zatochkin company at Verkhnyaya Radishchevskaya, building nine (second floor) is doing this. The price of the service is from 200 rubles.
However, if for some reason it is impossible to use a professional service, then with the help of our tips you can sharpen the teeth yourself.
