If the chain of the chainsaw is well and sharpened sharply, then this will ensure efficient, safe and accurate work with firewood. Sharpening the saw chain is necessary as the teeth become dull. You can find out how worn they are by chain tension. If the latter is very extended, then we can say that it has become dull and should be sharpened. Those who engage in cutting wood professionally do this several times a week. If the saw is used in domestic conditions, then the chain will have to be sharpened much less frequently. The frequency of the tooth wear affects the frequency, as well as the intensity with which the tool is operated. If the sawing process is much slower, then it's time to sharpen the chain. The sharpening process can be carried out in a variety of ways. There are special machines for this, various devices are manufactured, and saw chains are also sharpened with files. Consider various techniques and methods.
Why sharpen chainsaw chains?
The answer to this question is clear to everyone, but there are some nuances and subtleties that only experts know about. The process of sharpening chains is not the most difficult process. However, this is true when there is some experience of similar procedures, and also there are all the necessary tools and devices.
High-quality sharpening of the saw chain requires the achievement of complex geometric characteristics of each tooth. This is not easy to do. Any work with a chainsaw should be read only if its chain is well sharpened. Otherwise, if you work with a blunt chain saw, the efficiency of such work will drop significantly. There is also a negative impact on the tool itself. Before you work with a saw, you need to make sure that it is in good condition. In addition, a reliably sharpened chain is much more important than the characteristics of the motor.
Dumb chain: possible problems
To see that the sharpening of the saw chain is required, it is possible not only through poor passage of cuts. Dullness will be reported by serious vibrations during operation. Strong trembling will be transmitted to the hands.
Wear of the teeth can be triggered by its frequent operation. It happens that the chains are sharpened 4-5 times a week. The reason for this is the large amount of work and some additional factors. So, the teeth become dull due to the contact of the chain with the ground or with hard wood. It is important to remember that sharpening the saw chain, performed in a timely manner, will not only improve the quality of the cut, but also increase the life of the chainsaw and the chain itself.
What does a blunt chain lead to?
Working with such a saw often leads not only to lower cutting speeds or to increased fuel consumption. More serious problems are vibrations that are transmitted to the elements of the tool body. They can cause severe wear or damage to the drive sprocket or tire. It is these elements with existing damage that reduce productivity and then cause wear on other parts of the tool. As a result, you have to constantly repair the saw or purchase a new one, but it will not last long with such an operation.
About the right sharpening
There are several rules that must be strictly observed. Then the teeth of the chain and tool will last long enough. The height of the limiter, as well as the sharp section on the link after grinding, must fully comply with the factory parameters. You should not accelerate processes - it is enough to carry out sharpening as technologically as possible. It is not recommended to grind or replace chain links - the adequate operation of the saw depends on how much all the elements are the same. If you make a mistake at this stage, then serious loads will affect not only the motor and housing. There is a big risk of breaking the circuit, which in itself is very dangerous.
Features of file sharpening: tool selection
It is important to pay attention to the geometric parameters and contours of the teeth - this is a circle. The tooth itself is made of very soft materials. If the sharpening process will be carried out using a file, then the latter must be only round.
Before choosing the appropriate treatment option, you should find out the parameters of the chain and choose the appropriate device strictly according to the shape of the teeth and their pitch in the chain. Often it is 4-4.5 mm. The file does not need to be installed above the upper edge of the prong more than 1/5. It is also important to correctly hold the tool in relation to the planes being machined. This is a right angle to the vertical plane. The angle of sharpening of the saw chains with respect to the horizontal plane should be from 10 to 30 degrees.
File processing
Professionals do not recommend using ordinary files from the arsenal of a home master. They are not very convenient for these purposes. Today on sale you can find special kits. This is a round file flat for grinding depth limiters and a hook for cleaning chainsaws. Additionally, you need a special tire. The first tool is considered the best, because it already has special lines. They need to be guided, and then the work will be done most correctly. The plate will be able to lie on the restrictive element of the tooth, as well as on the upper lines of the cutting area. The file is installed directly under the cutting part of the tooth. This adaptation of the sharpening of the saw chain is a guarantee of high-quality work due to precise installation of the tool. First of all, they fix the tire and select a file that is suitable in diameter. Further, when only a fifth of the tool protrudes above the cutting portion of the tooth, processing is started. A high-quality result can be achieved only if the file moves strictly in one direction.
After making several passes, it is necessary to monitor the stops on the teeth and, if necessary, correct them.
Files Tips
Experts do not recommend the use of such a device for sharpening saw chains for a long time. This is especially true if the cost of a saw is high enough. The file is suitable in the most extreme version, and the rest should use professional equipment.
In the event that the kit has already been purchased, and there is a desire to sharpen the saw yourself, you should be guided by the recommendations of specialists:
- In the process, do not put pressure on the tool - the movements should be as accurate as possible. It is recommended to turn the tool around its axis - the sharpening will thus be uniform, and the tool will be sharpened on each side. Each tooth needs to be processed, observing strict sequence and accuracy. It is recommended to work in one direction, and then change it and process the teeth on the other side.
- Each tooth must be pressed with the same effort. This also applies to the number of movements performed. This is the only way to ensure quality and uniformity. If the teeth have different lengths, choose the shortest one. All the others are ground under its length.
Using sharpening machines
Sharpening with a file is a necessary measure. In other cases, professionals recommend purchasing a special machine for sharpening saw chains. This equipment can be either manual or electric. Due to the use of a complex mechanism, such processing will sharpen the chain as accurately as possible. Just one adjustment of the machine for the shortest tooth is enough, and the machine will automatically adjust all the other teeth for this parameter. This provides a more uniform sharpening and better performance. The device for sharpening the saw chains is first set up according to the control tooth. It is sharpened first, and only then other parameters are configured. Further, without changing the settings, all other teeth can be sharpened evenly.
The advantages of using machines are the ability to fine-tune all important process parameters, adjust levels and angles of supply, more uniform sharpening, adjusting each tooth to the initial parameters. With such machines, you do not need to think about
how to sharpen chainsaws with grinders. It is enough to follow the basic rules of operation and operation of the machine. As a result, a sharp saw chain can be obtained.
Sharpening with a machine: how to do it
First of all, loosen the chain clamp adjusting screw. Then the saw is installed in a manual or electric machine for sharpening saw chains so that the links of the chain look at the working element of the machine. Next, set the corner. Initially, it is 30 degrees, but depending on the particular machine, other options are possible. The sharpening process is performed by two methods. Each tooth is sequentially sharpened, or the process will go “through one”. In the latter case, you spend less time. In addition, during such a procedure all possible errors are excluded.
Features of working with machines
When working with such equipment, professionals recommend that you follow some rules, with which the work will be faster and there will be no problems. So, the most correct level is determined by the shortest tooth.
It should be a guide. Sharpening should not be deep. This affects the strength and durability of the links. After sharpening of each tooth, the chain should be blown and greased.
How the correct sharpening of a chainsaw should be performed
A file is a temporary solution, and acquiring a machine for the sake of infrequent work with it is simply unreasonable.
In addition, with a detailed review of the process, you can find out that with small amounts of work with a saw, it is better to give the chain to professionals than to spend your own nerves on independent work. Now in many cities a service is offered - sharpening of saw chains. Addresses can be found in city newspapers or at points of sale and repair of chains. For example, in Moscow, the company "Master Zatochkin" is engaged in this at the address
Verkhnyaya Radischevskaya, house nine (second floor). The price of the service is from 200 rubles.However, if it is impossible to use a professional service for some reason, then with the help of our tips you can sharpen your teeth yourself.