Technical Tips- How To Sharpen Chainsaw Chain

Learn how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with Glenn, Oregon's Sr. Technical Services Expert. Chainsaw sharpening and chainsaw filing is very important as a dull chain increases the risk of kickback, fuel consumption, and excessive damage. To properly sharpen chainsaw chain you will need: a file guide, flat file, and depth gauge tools (rakers and drags).

[katsmith-riply]

I love that I can put the playback speed on 1.5x and oregons videos are short and sweet. TY

[kevinbeuger]

I never file the rakers with the gauge on the chain. I don't want to wear out my flat file on the gauge nor do I want to file down the gauge at the same time as I file the raker. I measure with the gauge, remove it, file a few strokes, then recheck with the gauge, and file some more if needed.
Also, if sharpening on the bar, tighten the chain so that you can barely move it with your hand. This way each link will flop less from side to side. You want each link to stay as vertical as possible to maintain a 90 degree angle to the file. When finished, loosen the chain to the correct tightness. Ideally the chain and bar should be rinsed to remove hardened steel shavings that might wear out the bar slot.

[mantraguy]

To those who are complaining that there's too much talking, you are all obviously experts on this already and won't benefit from the careful attention he's taking to explain why he's doing what he's doing. For the rest of us who actually came here to learn something, I say 'job well done' and I can now feel confident that I have some basic knowledge on how to sharpen my chain - which is why I came here, rather than just offering useless critique on the quality of instruction.

[jonathanmiller]

Great video. First timer here and this was great!

[denisthemenace.]

Brave man taking on that subject in 5 minutes

[carleynorthcoast]

Note: Oregon chains have numbers on them to identify the chain type, and there is a pdf chart on their website that tells you file size and grind angles for each chain.

[endadada]

Excellent video with excellent presentation! Thank you!

[pappysmeghead]

- just an update: used the sharpening kit yesterday and was out trimming shrubs in about 30 minutes - pole saw cut through thick limbs like butter - thanks so much for the product and the tutorial !!! -- thanks, Glenn, for the vid - just picked up an Oregon sharpening kit from Canadian Tire - here's hoping it's as easy a process as you make it sound ; )

[jamesantosca]

As an independent tree service operator, I applaud Oregon's line of products. For instance, I recently upgraded my 50cc Dolmar stock 18" bar-and-chain with the Oregon 20" SpeedCut narrow kerf bar-and-chain and have since been amazed by the saw's performance. It's as though another 15cc has been added to the saw's engine displacement.

However, in my experience, if you're not using an all-metal file jig, such as the Granberg G106-B, you're not likely to achieve the kind of filing precision that will optimize your saw's potential. The length, and thereby height, of each cutter needs to be IDENTICAL, as well as the file height and angle(s), as specified for the given chain. I have found that cutter consistency is equally as important as cutter sharpness. More time and effort is required to set-up a file jig and to ensure consistent cutter length, using a micrometer, but the result is well worth it. A properly sharpened chain both dramatically increases productivity and reduces the grim prospect of kickback.

[SRPulley]

I assume you are sharpening a semi-chisel chain with the file at 90 degrees to the bar. You need to drop the file handle to about 10 degrees for a full chisel. If you maintain the file at 90 degrees you will basically turn a full chisel chain into a semi-chisel chain. Your comments are appreciated. Thank you for the video.

[fuzzylogic]

Good video..! As a humble Saw (Stihl ms170) user...I've never seen anyone mentioning the fact that all chains have two teeth that face sane direction (so the user knows when they have done a full rotation) and it's time to spin the saw or your body round and start the sharpening process until uiu reach tge sane two teeth that face same direction..! Unless in totally a fool but it eliminates a lot of time and headache working out where you started to fill...abd all that time marking starting point with magic markers tippex efc...Maybe I'm totally wrong

[Winstonorsmitty]

The only way to know the depth is to know from the package it was bought? Besides measuring, is there another way?

[_ErIc]

I have a question. I was using a hand file 30 degrees is the proper position to file here on my stihl 18” chain. Now that I have the Oregon file combo kit I have noticed some of my teeth are not at 30 degrees. When hand filing I got close but I’m off a little here and there. My question is this do I try to file them all and get them to 30 degrees even if it takes 15 times to file some of the teeth? Also since I put the guide on I’ve noticed the file is lower than it should be in some areas and much higher in others . Is my chain messed up do I need another chain also I have hit dirt each time I’ve used it several times in the dirt chain is not that old maybe 10 trees cut down and chipped up thank you
Love the channel

[LikEaPhoX]

Love the awkwardness, good solid info though cheers

[keithwagner]

Does adding a downcut angle to a chain improve the cutting action?

[tristanpaulcasey]

Are Oregon chains pre-sharpened when you buy them?

[claymcmullen]

Almost a half a million views and i wonder how many people of those views now think they can sharpen a saw.
#1 you cannot file a chain on a saw unless the chain is tight, clean and in a vise

[stevendale]

I ask what time it is, not how to build a clock.

[dc-wpoc]

not much here; no close-ups and poor demonstration of topic.
if it is worth doing, isn't it worth doing well?

why tell when you can show and video is a great medium to do this, if applied properly to the topic.

[frankgrd]

Depending on your usage....a new chain cutting engineered lumber should last for 3 months....at $30 a chain...why not just buy a new chain ?