[AT] Chain saw sharpening

[Cecil R Bearden]

Not to beat this old horse to death, but the cordless Dremel Tools are 
about $30 now for the set, and a diamond sharpening stone less than $5.  
You can always find a uyse for a Dremel tool, and the cordless stays 
charged for a long time.  I use my chainsaw cleaning out fencerows.  
there is no counting the times I have hit buried iron and wire.  I use 
the Dremel to touch it up and also to trim the cutter guide teeth.  I 
usually trim them lower than the spec, so the saw cuts better.  I use a 
shorter bar than what came on my saws also.  I bought one of the Harbor 
freight bench style chain sharpeners, and it works pretty good.  However 
after watching how it works, I learned how to sharpen a chain with a 
4-1/2 inch grinder.  A thin cutoff blade works better, but if you pay 
attention to the angle, it works great.

My Uncle was a CB in WWII and taught me to sharpen any tool with 
whatever you had in your tool box.  All of his cutting tools could be 
used to shave with.  I was fortunate to be able to work with him as a 
child and teenager.  I still have his old Porter Cable belt sander, it 
was his go-to tool for sharpening anything large.

Cecil in OKla


On 4/1/2012 6:46 AM, Spencer Yost wrote:
> 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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