Chain saw sharpening

[nic531]

something simple I use to assist is a magnetic angle guide... get the one the right angle for your chain and just attach to the bar while you sharpen...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23569095...LZs0so9dwS7N9dgAAAAAA&loc_physical_ms=9189453

 

[bluesako]

ive tried them above they work a treat

 

[Blade929]

something like this and you'll never look back... Great sharpeners.

 

[75]

You can make a right arse of a chain pretty quickly with those electric grinders if you don't know what you're doing! Very easy to take more off one side than the other and end up with a wonky cutting chain. Get the specs for the original chain you're using and set the machine up at the same angles. And just tickle the chain with the wheel - you don't want to build up any heat on the cutters.

 

[JMH123]

Cheap chains are cheap enough to be disposable. I'm rather embarrassed to suggest it, but for the occasional user just chuck and replace when they blunt. I suspect they blunt quicker than a quality chain, but at £5 or so, one can live with that. I suspect a new cheap chain performs better than a blunt or badly sharpened quality one!

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I also use an electric chainsaw sharpener. Keep a few chains and just change them over when needed. I throw the chain away when I feel it has had enough. Long before it is worn out.
As said, check the angle needed, then set it up so it is just taking a smidge off.
Works for me.

 

[Cyres]

I have a Lidl one and use it to get the angles correct after a fair few hand sharpens. Just need to tickle the teeth. I find it does an excellent job.
D

 

[countrryboy]

Cheap chains are cheap enough to be disposable. I'm rather embarrassed to suggest it, but for the occasional user just chuck and replace when they blunt. I suspect they blunt quicker than a quality chain, but at £5 or so, one can live with that. I suspect a new cheap chain performs better than a blunt or badly sharpened quality one!

Each to their own.
But

All depends wot ur cutting.

Very clean wood away from road stour or flood water u could be right.
I know 1 pro cutter used to do that ( I used to buy some of his chains off him for my use)
But in good clean timber looking after ur chain u can go 1 day + without sharpening.

In dirty wood or dry cheuck hard wood u can be sharpening every fill or even every 10 mins.
And a lot of firewood can be dirty ( or folk cutting into the dirt)

Makes it expensive day.

Sharpening a saw really is not hard.
Buying cheaper chain will make it harder to sharpen
As does the LP/ pico chain, a bit more fiddly than normal 325 or 3/8s.
Those cheap grinders are OK, at 40 quid not be long in paying u back.

A decent oregon chain should be lasting a hobby user literally years or 00s of L of 2 stroke.
The saving of cheap chain ( or files) is just not worth it.

 

[Nick703]

I run cheap throw away chains in my two most used saws,one is only running a 1 ft bar to make it as cheap as possible as possible for chains,my two climbing saws hardly ever need the chain touching obviously,my larger saws and ported saws all run quality chains that get checked after every use,no fancy gadgets to sharpen my saws just a file of the correct size and a handle.
If you’re wanting to learn how to hand file properly go watch bucking billy ray on YouTube a use a vice until you get good at it .
Cheap throw away chains are definitely worth it to me

 

[75]

You have to be careful with those electric grinders to get your angles and depth right so you're sharpening the cutting face / top plate without going too deep into the gullet. I've got a half decent Oregon one I got cheap "used" from Amazon (box had been opening but it had never been plugged in) and I use it all the time but it was quite a learning curve getting it set up right with 3 different angle adjustments to play with!

 

[Grannysmith]

Aldi do an electric dedicated chain sharpener.
About £20
I love it five mins razor sharp!

 

[countrryboy]

You have to be careful with those electric grinders to get your angles and depth right so you're sharpening the cutting face / top plate without going too deep into the gullet. I've got a half decent Oregon one I got cheap "used" from Amazon (box had been opening but it had never been plugged in) and I use it all the time but it was quite a learning curve getting it set up right with 3 different angle adjustments to play with!

Aye I've had a decent 2nd hand oregano 1 under my bench for donkeys years.
Tried to set it up but gave up.

I do have a cheap aldi type 1 which is ok but I still prefer to hand file.
Even on my longer milling chains.

Plus ur far quicker just filling it on bar too unless u really have mullered it on a stone/metal or worse glass.