Chain sharpening

[rguseman]

Looking for advice/help on chain sharpening.

1) Do most of you sharpen your own or have someone else do it? If you have thoughts on cost/benefit either way that would be helpful.

2) If you sharpen them yourself, do you sharpen by hand (file) or machine?

3) How hard is it to learn and do it well? Assuming you do not have anyone to teach you what is the best way to learn?

4) Generally, how many times can you sharpen a chain before it is not worth sharpening?

5) What is a reasonable per chain charge to have it done by someone else.

I ask this because I have accumulated about a dozen chains of various lengths 16"-24" that need sharpening. My neighbor generally tosses his once they are dull which I think is a waste.

 

[ShoerFast]

Hand file till there nothing but nubs, by far the cheapest way to maintain chains.

 

[Frank Boyer]

Looking for advice/help on chain sharpening.

1) Do most of you sharpen your own or have someone else do it? If you have thoughts on cost/benefit either way that would be helpful.

2) If you sharpen them yourself, do you sharpen by hand (file) or machine?

3) How hard is it to learn and do it well? Assuming you do not have anyone to teach you what is the best way to learn?

4) Generally, how many times can you sharpen a chain before it is not worth sharpening?

5) What is a reasonable per chain charge to have it done by someone else.

I ask this because I have accumulated about a dozen chains of various lengths 16"-24" that need sharpening. My neighbor generally tosses his once they are dull which I think is a waste.

I use a Maxx grinder when rocked/dull and file by hand for 4-5 times or until rocked. I used to use a 12 Volt hand held grinder and I was amazed at how far off the angles had become when I first used a bench mounted grinder. I use the 12V hand held for recontouring the rakers. I do the raker height with the bench mounted grinder.

 

[PA Plumber]

I have a bar mounted stihl fileguide. Used it once or twice and now use the Stihl file bracket that has the angle markings on it. Also have a modded Northern Tool Grinder.

Hand sharpen the larger felling saw and grinder sharpen my two smaller saws. The smaller saws tend to get into inappropriate sawing materials more frequently than the larger saw.

 

[tree md]

I use a hand file and use the chain until it's nothing but nubbs. It's important to file the same groove angle as the tooth already has (or just slightly larger so it will throw wider chips), count your strokes as you file and use the same amount of strokes on each tooth so the teeth cut and wear evenly.

 

[sdt7618]

like rguseman I am to new to filing, but have bought the stihl guide and files, seems fairly easy to use and i tend to get good results, well judging buy the chips the chain throws after a sharpen. Guess the best way to learn it to just try. Whats the wosrt that can happen, you screw up and have to take the chain to the dealer to grind sharp again. :greenchainsaw:

 

[Patrick62]

Somewhere...

... on this forum is mentioned that you spend many years trying to get the angles right, and consistant. After that it is easy....

I use a grinder. I can't file worth a hoot. :yoyo:

I have a file in my bag as a last resort.

-Pat

 

[jrclen]

Looking for advice/help on chain sharpening.
My neighbor generally tosses his once they are dull which I think is a waste.

I don't toss a chain until it is totally shot. I'm way to cheap for that. I was paying $3 to have mine ground at the local dealer but it went up to $5 this year. My step son picked up one of the Northern Tool grinders and left it for me to figure out. I talked with the guy at the dealer and got some tips, read the Oregon owners manual and the manual that came with it, and ground a few old chains. They cut great. It is pretty easy to use.

 

[Mr. Firewood]

I file mine 2-3 times and then send them out to have a regrind done, local guy will grind chains for $2 as piece off the saw or $1.00 each if you take him 50 at once

 

[WVhunter]

I sharpen by hand for as long as I can use the chain.
Tom