Chainsaws are known for their immense cutting performance. They chip through wood easily because of the sharp cutting teeth that accommodate the chainsaw’s chain. After several uses, the cutting teeth can become dull, impacting the chainsaw’s performance. At Gustharts, we explain why your chainsaw chain can dull so easily and when to know it’s time to replace it.
Table of contents
What are the signs of a dull chainsaw?
When should you replace your chainsaw chain?
Is it better to sharpen your chainsaw chain or buy a new one?
How many strokes does it take to sharpen a chainsaw?
What is the best angle to sharpen a chainsaw chain?
What are the signs of a dull chainsaw?
A chainsaw is arguably the most efficient and quickest way to fell trees. It relies on the sharp cutting teeth of the chainsaw chain for a clean cut through trees and branches. A dull chainsaw is not ideal for felling trees, making the process more difficult and dangerous. So, how can you spot a dull chainsaw chain?
- If you’re exerting pressure to force your chainsaw through the wood, it indicates that your chainsaw chain is not sharp enough.
- Chainsaws are known for their clean cuts, so if you notice that you are producing an uneven cutting pattern, your chainsaw’s cutting teeth will need sharpening.
- Excessive vibration when cutting wood is another sign of a dull chainsaw. Abnormal vibration levels from your chainsaw could indicate that it is chewing the wood and needs sharpening.
- Fine sawdust is another designation that your chainsaw chain is blunt. Large strands of sawdust are common for a chainsaw with good performance, as it requires less work to carve the wood. Blunt chainsaws commonly produce fine sawdust as they need to work harder to grind the wood.
- The engine can become overworked when operating with a dull chainsaw, requiring more power to chip away at the wood
- This can result in the engine overheating, which sometimes produces smoke.
What makes a chainsaw dull?
Chainsaws should have sharp cutting teeth to ensure that wood can be cut through easily and cleanly. A dull chainsaw can damage your chain and significantly affect its cutting performance. Knowing what can make your chainsaw dull is essential to ensuring that you maintain maximum cutting performance.
Contact with the ground
If your chainsaw comes into contact with the ground when running, this could severely damage the chainsaw and cause it to become dull. Hard surfaces such as concrete can cause your chainsaw blades to grind down, affecting performance. Any abrasive sediments on the ground, such as sand or dirt, can also dull your chainsaw by filing down the sharp cutting blades.
Cutting dirty trees
Trees that are dirty when you cut them could cause your chainsaw chain to become dull, as abrasive material in the dirt, such as rocks, can grind down your chainsaw. Ensure that you remove bark that contains dirt before using your chainsaw.
Contact with other objects
Any metal scraps or nails embedded in the tree you are felling could damage your chainsaw chain. Your chainsaw is not suitable for cutting metal objects, so if it comes into contact with any nails or scraps, your chainsaw chain could become dull.
When should you replace your chainsaw chain?
When you sharpen your chainsaw’s cutting teeth, they gradually wear down and reduce in size. When you file the cutting teeth enough times, you will reach the wear marker, indicating it is time to replace the chain. Any cutting teeth filed past the wear markers could hinder your chainsaw’s performance and possibly break.
If your chainsaw chain has any missing or damaged cutting teeth, this is another sign that it is time to replace the chain. Missing cutting teeth on the chainsaw chain often indicates that it is nearing the end of its lifespan and is ready to be replaced. Broken cutting teeth could cause a potential hazard, as the chainsaw’s performance will be severely impacted, resulting in kickbacks and metal scraps breaking off when using it.
Is it better to sharpen your chainsaw chain or buy new?
Sharpening your chainsaw chain is better to ensure you get maximum use from it, making it cheaper in the long run. Every time you sharpen your chainsaw chain, it will provide the same cutting performance as a new chain, so sharpening is recommended until you have to replace it. You should only buy a new chainsaw chain when the cutting teeth wear down beyond the wear markers, or there are any that are missing or damaged.
How many strokes does it take to sharpen a chainsaw?
Two to four strokes with a round file is often enough to sharpen the cutting teeth on your chainsaw chain. When filing the raker of the chainsaw’s cutting teeth, filing approximately three to ten times will remove any bumps and burrs to ensure a smooth cutting surface. Ensure you use the same number of strokes for each cutting tooth, as this will maintain an even sharpness for each tooth, maximising cutting performance.
What is the best angle to sharpen a chainsaw chain?
When filing the cutting teeth on your chainsaw, an angle between 25 and 35 degrees is often recommended. This enables you to make a sharp cutting edge that will provide excellent cutting performance.The angle at which you file depends on the make of your chainsaw, so always consult the manufacturer’s guide before filing. A 90-degree angle is recommended when filing the teeth rakers, ensuring you can maintain a level surface for each tooth.
Discover all your chainsaw essentials at Gustharts
Keeping your chainsaw in top condition by maintaining sharp cutting teeth is essential for prolonging its lifespan. Opting for a filing kit from Gustharts can help keep your chainsaw chain sharp for maximum performance. Safety is paramount when operating a chainsaw, so why not invest in chainsaw gloves or trousers?
