Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at
1:53 pm
You might think that a chainsaw is a highly destructive tool. It can be, and is in many ways but conversely it is also a high precision instrument and must be considered and used as such. They need to be kept in perfect condition and checked before use every single time in order to be effective and safe for the user.
It is imperative that a chainsaw chain is kept in tiptop condition. The chain only really has two states – useless or perfect. A chain which is in perfect condition should cut through timber like a knife through butter. Normally it will require barely any downward pressure to cut through wood, but once it is in need of maintenance it will either require extra pressure or simply try and burn through the wood.You must keep the chain on your chainsaw in absolutely perfect condition. The condition of a chainsaw chain has no middle ground it is either absolutely perfect for the job at hand, or completely useless. Once the chain starts requiring more than a tiny amount of downward pressure to get through the wood it obviously needs sharpening. In perfect condition, the chainsaw should cut through timber just like a knife cuts through butter.
In ideal condition chainsaw chain should produce reasonably large chips of wood when cutting. As the chain gets to the point where it needs maintenance it will start producing sawdust instead. Also, if the chainsaw has a tendency to veer off to the left or to the right when cutting vertically downwards it is another giveaway sign that the chain needs filing.
The main cutting edge of the chain is coated with a very thin coating of chrome plate. This is the part of the chain that comes into contact with the timber does the actual cutting. And it’s the chrome which gets worn away over time which causes the chain to become blunt. In order to revert to chain back to pristine condition it must be filed. It is essential to use the right sized file for the chain that is being filed. Chainsaws are expensive pieces of equipment and will give long and productive service if maintained diligently.
To file a chain ideally you should use a tool called a roller guide. It is possible to file a chain by hand, but in most cases the results will not be as good unless the person doing the filing is particularly experienced. If the chain has been ground down by poor usage – for example – when the chain has hit some solid material or the ground, it needs to be filed back in order to give a new chrome edge. They can be filed down quite low but one must ensure that there is still about 1 mm left on the heel of the cutter.
Even though it can be a time-consuming and fiddly job to re-sharpen an older chain, it is still wise to get as much life out of the chain as you possibly can. Most chain sharpening kits can be snapped up for around $30 and the only other thing required is a pair of protective gloves. Your chain sharpening kit should contain a chainsaw file gauge,a rounded file (which obviously should be the correct size for the chain question) and a flat file to file the depth gauge on the teeth. It is also wise to have a small hard brush at hand (for example an old toothbrush) and a can of resin solvent in order to maintain the chain and prolong it’s life.
The rounded file is used to file down and sharpen the chainsaw chain. The flat file is used to file the depth gauge on each tooth of the chain. The file gauge is used for adjusting the top plate cutting angles of each tooth on the chain. The brush is used to brush away any pieces of debris on the chain before sharpening commences.
If you end up accidentally stretching your chainsaw chain it may be the case that you need to replace it rather than sharpening it. If this is the case you should make sure to note down the make and model of your chainsaw before heading to the shop (if you don’t take the chainsaw there itself) and you should consider taking the old chain as well to ensure a good match. With these tips you should be well set to get the most life out of your chainsaw chain.
Chainsaws are very useful, but are also extremely dangerous. Please take advice from a qualified professional before using a chainsaw yourself.