An FAQ Guide to Sharpening Your Chainsaw

A sharp chainsaw blade reduces operator fatigue and unnecessary wear and tear on the engine. Plus, dull saws are plain inefficient and dangerous due to potential kickback. To keep a chainsaw cutting quickly and cleanly, you should sharpen the teeth on a regular basis. That said, the idea can be intimidating, and people often have questions!

That’s why we’ve prepared a handy list of chainsaw sharpening FAQ’s to help get you on the right path.

When Should I Sharpen My Chainsaw?

Check your chainsaw’s waste material. A sharp blade requires minimal force and removes small chips of wood, but a dull blade rides in the cut without advancing and generates sawdust. So, if you’re seeing too much sawdust or other waste, it’s probably time for you to sharpen your chainsaw.

Which Parts of the Saw are Sharpened?

The saw teeth, or cutters, consist of two components: the dual-profile cutting element and the flat-faced depth gauge. The different angles of the two cutter profiles combine to cut the wood and remove waste. The height of the depth gauge must be adjusted to match the new height of the cutters.

What Tools are Required to Sharpen a Chainsaw?

There are several options available that would be helpful for you. The most common sharpening technique uses a round hand file on the cutters and a flat file on the depth guide. You’ll also need work gloves, a vise to secure the chainsaw, a file guide, a raker guide, and the owner’s manual.

Other stuff you may need: Click here to get new chain or parts for a chainsaw, like chains, adjusters, oil, and other stuff.

What Steps Will I Take to Sharpen My Chainsaw?

While wearing work gloves, clamp the chainsaw blade in a vise to securely hold the saw. Release the chain brake so the chain turns freely around the blade. Locate the first tooth on the chain or mark the point where you begin to ensure that all the cutters are sharpened.

Secure the round file in the guide. Align the guide to the same angle referenced in the owner’s manual. Place the round file under the cutting tooth and push it forward while keeping the file perpendicular to the saw. File only on the forward motion. Use six to eight strokes per cutting tooth. Follow this procedure for each cutting tooth. When the starting point is reached, turn the saw around in the vise and repeat the process.

Place the raker guide over three sets of cutters with the center depth guide visible in the slot. Use the flat file to lower the height of the guide to match that of the rear-cutting tooth. Follow this procedure until the height of all the depth guides has been adjusted. This completes the sharpening process. Remove the chainsaw from the vise. Ensure that chain is properly secured before using the saw.
Still confused? Check out this great how-to video:

Click here for a more in depth description of sharpening a chainsaw.

Oh, and before you sharpen with a round file, read this.

How to Mix Chainsaw Fuel

Two stroke engines require an oil and fuel mixture for the engine to run properly. The reason for this is that most two stroke engines don't have separate lubrication systems, so the fuel has to also provide lubrication to the moving parts of the engine.

One of the reasons that two stroke engines produce more smoke than four stroke engines is because of this—the engine is burning oil as well as fuel. Most modern two stroke engines suggest a 50:1 gasoline-to-oil ratio to power the engine. Some chainsaw operators feel more comfortable using extra oil in their mixtures because it provides additional lubrication, but this could also cause heavier smoke than normal. In any case, you should check your owner’s manual for the recommended ratio, or if you have an old chainsaw, mix a higher ratio such as 40:1 or 30:1 just to be on the safe side.

Here is the process:

1. Get two stroke engine oil, such as Lucas Two Cycle Oil, and unleaded, 89 octane (or higher) gasoline. It's important to use two-stroke engine oil only because it is specially formulated for two-stroke engines to prevent build up in the engine.
2. Measure out your ratio according to the recommended amount. This calculator is a handy way to figure out the exact measurement of oil in ounces you need for the corresponding amount of gas in gallons. The corresponding measurements for 50:1 are 2.6 ounces of oil for every gallon of gas.
3. To mix the solution effectively, you can add half the amount of gas and the full amount of oil to a gas container and shake the container. Add the rest of the gas and shake again. Don't try to mix the oil and gas in the fuel tank of your chainsaw, as it will be difficult to get the measurements right. You will also want to mix more than will fit in your chainsaw's gas tank so you have some extra on hand for refueling later.
4. As an optional step, you can add a fuel enzyme treatment that will stabilize your fuel and ensure that your gasoline stays good for up to 2 years. Many gasolines now contain ethanol, and enzyme treatment will help to stabilize your fuel and prevent problems that arise from ethanol containing fuel.
5. Now it’s time to fill up your fuel tank. There are a few things to remember when fueling your chainsaw:
• Always wipe up any excess spillage on your chainsaw.
• Start your machine at least 10 feet away from where you refueled.
• Always start your chainsaw in a very well-ventilated area.

If you have various cans of gasoline, it doesn't hurt to label the can you just mixed with the ratio to help you remember what mixture you made in that can. You should also always shake the container before refueling your chainsaw because the oil and gas will become separated after the mixture settles.

And if you suspect you need any new parts for your chainsaw to get it up and running, don't hesitate to contact us or visit our store to get everything you need.