Several ways to sharpen your saw chain
The chain saw requires minimal maintenance. This tool is powered by a gasoline or electric motor that drives the main working body - the cutting chain.
It is the chain that becomes dull and fails, so it must be sharpened. There are several ways to sharpen a chain. Let's consider them in more detail.
File sharpening with a drill
One of the popular ways to sharpen a saw is sharpening with a file and a drill. For sharpening, you must install the file in the drill chuck. At the same time, the sharpening angle is not respected, so some teeth will not cut well into the wood.
Moreover, this method of sharpening the chain is not reliable. The file will damage the chain, so when the saw is in operation, the risk of breakage increases.
When sharpening, the file is clogged with metal shavings, its thread is erased. If you want to sharpen the chain with a drill, use a sharpening stone instead of a regular file.
Grinder sharpening
Another way to sharpen chains - grinder sharpening. This method should not be used under any circumstances. When using this technology, the angle of sharpening of the chain is also not observed, and during operation, the disc may fly apart into pieces.
In this case, the fragments injure the operator's hands. If you do not use safety glasses, there is a high risk of eye injury.
Chain sharpening to a template
On sale you can find special templates for sharpening the chain. These templates are slid onto the links and then each cutting tooth is filed. This sharpening method is suitable for chains with transverse and longitudinal teeth.
Sharpening on a stationary machine
Professional sharpening on a stationary machine has a number of advantages. With this sharpening:
- the chain sharpening angle is respected;
- you can sharpen several teeth at the same time;
- there is a limitation of the grindstone stroke, which allows you to keep the chain intact.
Before working on a stationary machine, it is necessary to clean the whetstone with sandpaper. Otherwise, there is a risk of letting go of the metal. This is possible with other sharpening methods. On vacation, when the metal cools down, it becomes soft. The chain no longer cuts wood.
In order to sharpen the cross-chain saw, set the sharpening angle on the machine to 10 °. If the chain teeth are longitudinally, the sharpening angle should be 30 °. The chain can be non-standard, in this case, the angle of the factory sharpening is indicated in the instructions for the tool.