The chainsaw is a gardening tool that will be very useful if you have to prune very thick branches, or if at some point you are forced to cut down, for example, a palm tree that has succumbed to the attack of the red weevil, or a large tree that simply nothing less has dried up.
But so that problems do not arise it is very important to know how to sharpen a chainsaw. Keeping it always in good condition will be one of the things that, when the time comes, could even save your life. So, let's know how to do it step by step.
The chainsaw is one of the most dangerous garden tools out there. One oversight and everything can end forever. You might think I'm exaggerating, but trust me It would not be the first or the last time that someone loses a hand or an arm due to misuse and / or not having kept it in good condition.
Of course, do not be afraid of it. If things are done well, it is, as I said before, very useful. But you do have to respect him. Let's see how it is sharpened step by step:
- The first thing to do is determine the gauge of the saw chain. Finding out will help us to buy the most suitable rotary grinding wheel.
- Afterwards, we will clean the chain thoroughly, using a solvent or a degreasing detergent to remove oil and dirt from the chain. Of course, important: do not use these products on the engine or other components as the plastic that protects them could be damaged.
- Then we will inspect the chain. With use, teeth can chip, break, or even bend, making them very dangerous when in motion. So if the flat surface on top of the cutter teeth exceeds 0,6cm in length, it is time to discard the chain.
- Next, we place the chainsaw on a solid surface, with the bar clamped in a vise. The chain must be able to rotate freely.
- The next step is to locate the main blade - it may be the shortest, but if they all seem to be the same length, you can start with any one. Then we place the file over the notch on the front.
- To continue, we slide the file through the front of the blade in a twisting motion to discharge the metal shavings at a 25-30 degree angle. We will work every two teeth identically from the starting point and around the circle.
- The seventh step is to check that the depth gauges (the links that are shaped like a curved hook between the blades) are clean. These have to peel off each cutting edge about 0,3cm below the blade; In the event that it has to be sharpened, we will use a flat bastard file that we will find in hardware stores.
- Finally, we will oil the chain and check the tension.
And now, we can use it again 🙂.