[AT] Chain saw sharpening

Sun Apr 1 09:41:54 PDT 2012

Hi Dick,
I've used these folks with good results.

http://www.cutterschoice.com/

That being said, I have two saws that I use, and have been cutting a lot recently. My big saw is a Stihl 039, (your old saw I believe) and my smaller one is a Husky 045, which is much lighter and nice for limbing. I also bought the guide system and files to sharpen my own chains, and have been doing so for a few years. I thought I was doing a pretty good job, and was happy with the performance of both saws. I had a new chain for each that I was saving for a rainy day, and finally put them both on last week. What a day and night difference! I was cutting the base of a huge downed Ash with the 039 and I thought, "crap it's rotten" because of how the saw was chewing through it. It wasn't rotten though, it was just the sharpness of the new chain! Bottom line is, it is an art to sharpen a chain correctly, clearly I wasn't, and the performance showed. They weren't dull, but they were far from the performace of a new chain. 

Regards,
Mike M

PS - I also work very hard to keep my chains out of the dirt, it will dull them in an instant.

----- Receiving the following content ----- 
From: Dick Day 
Receiver: Antique tractor email discussion group 
Time: 2012-04-01, 10:47:14
Subject: Re: [AT] Chain saw sharpening

Thanks for so many great suggestions. Based on everything I've read, I 
will for sure avoid the electric systems as those would only allow me to 
destroy a usable chain that much faster.

If I had anyone around here who I could watch sharpen a chain without the 
use guide, I would spend some time with them watching and learning.

Since that's not an option, I will probably order the guide to get me 
started. They say it does not come with any files, that they must be 
purchased locally.

My questions are:

Any idea what size/type files I should get?

I should also probably get a spare chain. I looked at Oregon's site to see 
if I could get a cross reference on the Worx chain (Worx WA0159) and they 
only list a 16" chain for Worx, mine is 18". I have no problem with 
ordering a Worx brand chain, but they are almost $30. I was hoping that the 
Oregon brand would be less expensive. Does anyone know what Oregon chain 
would fit the Worx 18" saw?

Again, thanks for so many great ideas and for sharing your experiences.

Dick

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Spencer Yost" <yostsw at atis.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 6:46 AM
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] Chain saw sharpening

> I used to work for the forest service (as a teenager) and our work leaders 
> were yoga masters in sharpening. But alas, I was a teenager and didn't 
> pay close attention. I fortunately married a woman whose father was good 
> at sharpening too.
>
> Between the time of the yoga masters and father-in-law I was inept at 
> sharpening and tried every gadget and device under the sun. Bottom line 
> is if you can't sharpen with just a file, You can't sharpen with this 
> year's super gadget", dremel, guide,etc.
>
> Here is what i finally learned from them: Great sharpening is all 
> frequency and consistency. Those are learned through practice and 
> patience.
>
> I used to stink at this because I have alway stunk at things that can't be 
> a acquired without cleverness, brute strength and speed. Marriage and 
> chain sharpening taught me to appreciate the role of zen in my life.
>
> I swear: You don't need a guide or electricity. I don't use a handle 
> either because I like to feel how the file is cutting.
>
> Like the others mentioned too: Do it every tank of fuel.
>
> As was also mentioned before; Don't sharpen a damaged chain though. Give 
> that to a professional (or just buy a new one as I do).
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Spencer
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 31, 2012, at 21:49, "Dick Day" <ddss at telebeep.com> wrote:
>
>> Greetings.
>>
>> I can get the chain sharpened locally for $18. I've seen manual file 
>> sets that mount on the bar and allow you to sharpen the chain. I've also 
>> seen electric, both 12-volt and 110. The reviews I've read about the 
>> electric ones are quick to point out that the cheap ones don't last. I 
>> cannot justify $150 and up for a decent one, so I figured I would try my 
>> hand at manual sharpening.
>>
>> I have an 18" electric Worx chain saw and love it. The specifics of the 
>> chain are gauge=.05 length=18" links=63 pitch=3/8"
>>
>> Can anyone suggest what I should get to sharpen the chain?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Dick Day
>> _______________________________________________
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