A dull chainsaw chain can be dangerous and frustrating to use. It can also lead to premature wear and tear on your chainsaw. Sharpening your chainsaw chain regularly is a simple way to keep it in good working condition and extend its lifespan.

In this step-by-step guide, we will tell you how to sharpen a chainsaw chain using a file. We will also provide some tips for safety and proper sharpening technique.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Chainsaw
• File guide
• Round file
• Depth gauge
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

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Instructions

1. Prepare your chainsaw. Make sure your chainsaw is turned off and unplugged if neccesary. 
2. Inspect the chain. Look for any damaged or missing teeth. If there are any damaged teeth, you will need to replace the chain as a whole, if they cannot be filed back to normal shape. 
3. Clamp the Chainsaw Bar. Using either a tabletop clamp or a log vice to hold the saw in place, helps give a more consitent sharpening process as it prevents the chainsaw from moving during filing. 
4. Set the file guide. The file guide will help you to file the teeth at the correct angle. The angle of a file guide will vary depending on the type of chainsaw you have.
5. Mark the first tooth. Using a sharpie or marker pen, mark an identifier of the first tooth you sharpen with the round file. This makes it much easier to keep a track of where you started, once you start manually rotating the chain to do each tooth. 
6. File the first teeth. Hold the file guide in one hand and the file in the other hand. File each tooth in a smooth, even motion. Make sure to file the teeth at the correct angle. This is usually at a 30 degree angle. You should file each tooth by pushing the file away each pass, then coming out of the tooth, and going in again at the start. You do not want to use a back and forth motion as this can create an uneven edge. If you don’t want to mark your chainsaw, look for a unique link in the chain. It might have no teeth, or already be a different color. If you are unsure of the file size you need, please get in touch with us HERE.
7. Sharpen every other tooth from the beginning. Once the initial tooth has been completely refined, rotate the chain to bring a new tooth closer. The cutters on a chainsaw are in alternate directions; therefore, refine every other cutter using the same motion, angle, and number of strokes until it is sharp. Repeat until you reach your original starting point. Once you have done each tooth facing one way, rotate the chainsaw 180 degrees, and start again from step 5, this time sharpening the teeth in the opposite direction. 
8. Check the depth of the teeth. Use the depth gauge to check the depth of the teeth. The teeth should be filed to the correct depth, using a flat file.
9. Tighten the chain if needed. Once the teeth are sharpened, you are ready to use the saw again. Make sure to tighten the chain tension before using the chainsaw.

Safety Tips

• Always wear safety glasses and gloves when sharpening a chainsaw chain.
• Make sure your chainsaw is turned off and unplugged if needed before you start sharpening.
• Be careful not to file the teeth too deep. This can damage the chain and make it dangerous to use.
• If you are not comfortable sharpening your chainsaw chain, take it to a qualified professional.

For a starters guide to using a chainsaw safely, CLICK HERE