Every chainsaw is going to get dull at some point. And who wants to make a trip into town to a professional sharpener? Skip that step and sharpen your own chainsaw at home—all you’ll need is a few simple tools and our step-by-step guide:
- Make sure your chainsaw is switched to the STOP or OFF position, and remove the bar cover.
- Clamp the bar of the saw in a vise, then add shims or wood blocks underneath the chainsaw body to level it with the tip. This will make filing a lot easier.
- Check the tightness of the chain and adjust accordingly. You’ll need to be able to turn the chain manually.
- Clip your small round file into the file holder, and mark the first cutter with a marker. This is your starting point.
- Turn your file and holder to the marked 35 degree angle and, with a smooth motion, file the inside tooth of the chain. Do this for every second cutter.
- Turn the chainsaw 180 degrees. You should now be on the other side of the bar. Now sharpen the cutters on the other side using the same method above.
Remember: safety always comes first when using a chainsaw. From the proper safety equipment to dropping a tree in an exact location, have a plan before starting a project with your saw.