How to Sharpen a Chainsaw- Maintenance

Filing the chain is an important part of maintaining the saw and it’s not difficult if you use the proper instructions and equipment. It’s easiest if you file the chain relatively frequently.

Filing the chain on your chainsaw.

• Fix the saw in place, lock the chain by activating the chain break. Start with the cutting teeth.
  
• Place the file gage on the chain with the arrows pointing towards the bar nose.
  
• Place the file at right angles to the rollers. File every second tooth with an even pushing stroke, then turn the soar around and file the rest of the cutting teeth.
  
• About every 3rd time you file the cutting teeth file the depth gauges between them as well.
  
• Hold the file gage steady with one hand, select “hard” or “soft”, depending on which type of wood you normally saw and file the depth gage until the file contacts the file gage.
  
• After a number of sharpenings, when the longest part of the cutting tooth is less than 4 millimeters the chain should be replaced.
  
• Remove the bar and put the new chain in place. Adjust the chain tension carefully, a loose chain can jump off and if it’s too tight, it will wear out the bar. You should be able to lift the chain approximately 1 centimeter from the track of the middle of the bar and it should be easy to pull the chain around by hand.

Regular Safety Inspection and Maintenance.
When it comes to other maintenance, there are a few parts that require cleaning now and then to ensure safety and efficiency of the chainsaw .

• Remove the clutch cover and clean the chain brake band. You should also clean the bar occasionally.
• Remove the cylinder cover and wash the air filter. Clean the cooling fins on the air intake if necessary.
• Check periodically that the flywheel fins are clean to ensure good engine cooling.
• There are other things that should be checked periodically to make sure that they are working as they should, in particular the chain brake, throttle control and chain catcher. Also check that the chain lubrication hole is not blocked.
  whole isn’t blocked and that the chain drive wheel is hold and not too worn. 

We hope you’ve learned more about how to use a chainsaw properly. It might seem like a lot to take in, but with a little practice, you will soon become competent with the saw. Try to bring along an experienced person and the beginning and study the user’s manual.