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.

OEM Chainsaw Parts vs. Aftermarket

When it comes to small engine repair, craftsmen have many options for sourcing the parts they need to get the job done. They can choose from two main ways of getting the parts they need – by ordering them directly from the original equipment manufacturer, i.e. from Stihl or Poulan directly; or from an aftermarket retailer. Aftermarket retailers run the gamut from general parts – simple things like gas caps and accessories that can be found at a big box retailer such as Home Depot, to very specific parts for a very specific machine – a replacement bar for a Stihl 026 chainsaw, for example. Which should you order from?

Aftermarket Suppliers vs. OEM Supplier

• Cost – Many times, aftermarket parts are cheaper than the OEM equivalent. This can be observed in the automobile parts market, too – because of the competition in the aftermarket industry, prices are often lower than if you were to order from Stihl or Poulan. Advantage: Aftermarket
• Quality – Aftermarket parts meet or exceed OEM quality standards, using the same materials as their OEM equivalents. For example, all the Stihl replacement parts offered at HL Supply are guaranteed to fit the specific Stihl equipment they are designed for. Of course, the OEM manufacturer knows the machine best, and the parts from the OEM manufacturer are going to be a 100% true replica of what originally came in the machine. Advantage: Draw
• Speed – If you need a part quickly, you’re most likely better off working with an aftermarket supplier. For example, HL Supply carries thousands of Stihl chainsaw parts and offers next-day overnight shipping. For smaller items you need to maintain your small engine equipment, it’s easier to walk into the Home Depot and buy a new gasket ring or gas cap than to order online. While the OEM company will do everything they can to get you the part quickly, their main business isn’t focused on sending replacement parts quickly – whereas at HL Supply, that’s our sole focus. Advantage: Aftermarket
   
• Selection – While HL Supply carries thousands of parts to help in your small engine repair project, nobody can match the range of the OEM manufacturer. There are specific parts and specific models that it doesn’t make sense for an aftermarket supplier to carry – they might be too specific, or parts for models that are exceptionally rare. When you order direct from Stihl or another supplier, they can provide you with basically every part that has ever existed. Advantage: OEM

No matter what the small engine repair project, HL Supply is here to help. Visit us today for a full selection of small engine replacement parts from Poulan, Stihl, Husqvarna and more; or call 855-456-4299 for help in selecting the right parts for your needs.

Top YouTube Chainsaw Repair Resources

When it comes to small engine repair, sometimes a video can be more helpful then a manual. Rather than reading the pages of a book with text instructions and a simple diagram,  videos allow you to see how it’s done on an actual machine while walking you through each step.

There are thousands of videos on YouTube, more than just funny cats and music videos – there are entire collections of videos on how to repair just about anything, including small engine repair ranging from lawnmowers to chainsaws. Here are a few helpful YouTube user channels which specialize in chainsaw and power equipment repair.

Don The Small Engine Doctor - https://www.youtube.com/user/donyboy73  

“DonyBoy73”, known as “Don The Small Engine Doctor” already has hundreds of videos about small engine repair, and adds new content every Friday! Don’s channel is dedicated to small engine repair, with the goal of enabling ANYONE to repair their small engine machines – both experts and beginners. Don’s small engine repair video channel includes dozens on chainsaw repair, as well as repairs on lawnmowers, trimmers, generators, and more. Other videos include general small engine advice (with Q&A sessions where he answers users’ questions) and reviews of small engine repair tools.

Jeremy Fountain - https://www.youtube.com/user/backwoodsctryboy

Want your small engine repair advice with a hefty dash of southern hospitality? Jeremy Fountain’s YouTube Channel is the place for you. Jeremy walks through small engine repairs, including everything from mower maintenance to a complete rebuild of the Stihl 026, guiding you through each project with a friendly voice and slow pace so you can keep up as he goes – even stopping to ask the audience how their holidays are going.
 
STIHL USA - https://www.youtube.com/user/stihlusa

The official STIHL USA YouTube Channel is an excellent resource for chainsaw repair advice, featuring videos on many common maintenance tasks such as chain sharpening and replacement, trimmer line replacement, and more. Other videos include previews of new Stihl products, general information like selecting the right firewood, and some cool stuff including chainsaws playing the national anthem and stories from Stihl owners!

We hope these channels provide you with all the information you need for your small engine repairs – be sure to visit HL Supply for the largest selection of chainsaw parts anywhere to make your project complete!