How to sharpen a Stihl chain correctly and quickly: instructions from the manufacturer

Features of the chain structure

Cutting wood is similar to working with a plane.
In all this, the size of the cut depends on the thickness of the limiter. When the saw chain works in a saturated mode, the teeth become dull faster. This is clearly manifested when the ground surface melts in the path of the chain. To completely blunt the teeth, it is enough to “catch” on the ground for a few seconds. If you are able to sharpen it frequently, the chain will serve even longer, since very little metal will be removed. In addition to the question of what angle of sharpening the chainsaw chain must be, this is also necessary to know!

There is no need to work with blunt equipment for a number of reasons. At first, this is reflected in the quality of the cut, but not radically. Lethargy also quickly sets in, which is felt not only in the palm of your hand, but also in the body.

Next reason. unjustified excessive consumption of fuel. Our client is left with the parts working in an intense mode, which inevitably leads to rapid wear and tear. Performance drops seriously, which also happens when using a defective chain.

To be able to sharpen a chainsaw chain perfectly, you should know the structure of its teeth. It will not do without knowing the sharpening angle. Whose tooth has a complex structure. Its geometry is represented by the following components:

basis;
spatula;
depth limiter.

With all this, the blade consists of two blades: the end blade and the top blade. At the same time, they are expected to have the correct sharpening angle for the chainsaw chain in order to provide it with the required performance.

The best ones to think of now. It is not the chain that cuts the tree, since it serves as the basis for securing the cutting links and moves them at the highest speed. The links themselves have sharp blades, which are used to cut down the wood.

Principles of sharpening a chainsaw chain on an automatic machine

An automatic machine significantly speeds up and facilitates the work process.

This equipment can often be found at large industrial enterprises where wood processing takes place on a large scale. But today such machines are often used at home.

Externally, the mechanism is a structure where the main part is a sharpening stone. The cutting blade is placed inside the box and fixed to ensure contact with the surface of the stone.

After this, the saw should be turned on and make sure that the teeth are processed on the sharpening mechanism in the right direction.

The main advantage of this editing method is the speed and ease of work, and it is not necessary to have any special skills.

Perhaps the only negative side of this method is the fragility of the sharpness of the teeth. Editing on a mechanical machine is much more accurate.

When to sharpen and how to find out about it

Problems that may arise due to untimely maintenance of the circuit:

crooked cuts;
huge pressure;
increased fuel consumption;
faster wear of the leading parts of the chainsaw and a reduction in its service life.

The speed at which teeth become dull depends on the frequency of use of the tool and the criteria. Sharpening the saw chain of a chainsaw calm any cutting how to sharpen a chainsaw chain. It only takes a few hits on the ground or pebbles, and it will be useful to sharpen the chainsaw chain.

Signs by which you can determine that the chain is dull:

the instrument tries to escape from your hands and gets stuck;
small shavings, actually dust, fall out;
the saw deepens only with greater effort;
cutting time increases.

In addition, dull teeth can simply be examined closely. Signs of dullness will be visible even to the naked eye.

The earlier the chainsaw chain is sharpened, the less metal is ground off, which means it will last longer.

Chain length accounting

The length of the chain depends entirely on the parameters of the chainsaw itself: dimensions, sprocket sizes and power. With a standardized tension, the length for a specific chainsaw is determined and indicated in the passport.

Another question is the number of links, i.e. number of cutting teeth at this length. This parameter completely depends on the pitch of the links. Thus, the problem of how to select a chain taking into account the length is solved in complex, taking into account the pitch of the links. In general, increasing the length requires increasing the power of the chainsaw, but increases productivity.

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How and how to sharpen chain teeth

The saw chain teeth have an unusual shape. Sharpening a chainsaw chain is easy | country affairs. They consist of a base, a blade and a depth stop. At the same time, the spatula has a vertical blade and a horizontal blade that falls at an angle. It is thanks to these blades that the chainsaw cuts through wood.

Many people do not know how to sharpen the teeth on a chainsaw chain, but this is quite easy. round ratfil 4.8 mm and that’s it.

Many people don’t know how to sharpen the teeth on a chainsaw chain, but it’s quite simple. round file 4.8 mm and that’s it.

How to determine the tooth angle?

When buying a chainsaw, you need to purchase a special template that allows you to check and sharpen the teeth of the saw chain at the required angle. Templates are sold separately and are supplied with the chainsaw. It can be used to control the values of the back angles at the top and end blades, as well as the leading edge of the tooth edge. AliExpress

Figure 2

Visually determining and correcting the angle is highly not recommended, since different sharpening of the teeth will lead to rapid wear of the chain and saw mechanisms.

It is very important to determine the rear angle of the upper blade using a template, since the range of this angle varies from 50° to 60°, and any deviation can lead to increased wear.

In order to measure the sharpening angle, you must perform the following steps:

Set perpendicular to the chain surface or the flat surface of the tooth edge.
Align the template in relation to the tooth.
Place a round file into the template and check the closure.
If there are deviations of the tooth from the template, it means the angle does not correspond to the sharpening parameters and needs to be straightened.

Determining the angle using measuring instruments is impractical, since measurement methods without a template have a high error, which will affect the quality of the cut and the performance characteristics of the chainsaw.

How do you know when sharpening is needed?

There is no other way to find out whether the chain teeth are ground down, of course, by certain corresponding signs. This, here it all depends on how actively the chainsaw is used. It's worth taking a closer look to see what kind of shavings it leaves behind. Its uniformity and square shape indicate sharp teeth. When a chain is ground down, it usually leaves behind wood dust, and the sawdust itself is like the needles that a hand saw “produces.”

If the cutting speed is reduced, then this is also considered a sign of a dull chain. There is an increase in load on the instrument itself and the occurrence of vibration. It’s not always possible for newcomers to see some of these signs. Therefore, they should rather than just pay special attention to the quality of the chips. From time to time it comes in a coffee color, which is a guaranteed indication that it’s time to sharpen the chain.

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Sharpening with a grinder

This method is less common. This is due to the fact that safety requirements are increased here. But some saw users use it. To sharpen a chain with a grinder, the saw bar must be clamped in a vice so that when the saw brake is off, the chain can move freely. The following actions are performed:

A control tooth (the first one to be sharpened) is selected.
The saw brake is set to working position.
The grinder turns on and sharpening begins. It is important that the wheel on the grinder is a sharpening wheel and not a cutting wheel.

The disadvantage of this sharpening is that it is very difficult to maintain the required edge angle. It is equally important that there is a risk of damage by the grinder disc to the eye of the link, which may result in the chain breaking during the sawing process.

Despite the fact that sharpening with a grinder is quite feasible, you should still not abuse it. It is better to use the manufacturer’s recommendations and use only certified chain sharpening devices - this will save time and money. Sharpening a chain is not such a complicated process as it might seem at first glance. Even if the first time you manage to do it not very well, do not be upset: rest assured that over time you will gain the necessary skills.

Sharpening kits

One of the most common methods is using a set consisting of a round and flat file, a holder, a template for the stop and a hook used to remove sawdust. To ensure the correct positioning of the holder, special markings are applied to it, allowing you to find the correct angle for sharpening.

It is installed on the upper part of the tooth and stop; the round ratfil remains under it and is placed right next to the blade. Thanks to the holder, the ratfile is at the correct height, or rather, protrudes 1/5 above the blade. To sharpen a cutting tooth, only round grinders are used, because the contour of the tooth is oval.

Sharpening methods

To sharpen a tool, of course, turn to the services of craftsmen who not only know what angle of sharpening chainsaw chains is needed, but will also do all the work quickly and at a high professional level. You, the price of such services is not that high, alas, the quality, on the contrary, is very high! This option is suitable for those lovers of wood cutting who do not have the slightest desire to tinker with their own equipment.

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Everyone else will be curious to test their strength in such a matter. Masters here always choose automatic equipment, which is characterized by the greatest efficiency and accuracy. Naturally, acquiring it is rarely realistic for any woodcutter, so they make do with different methods. Here among many amateurs there are discussions on the topic of which technique is better to give preference:

manual;
another;
modern.

It makes no sense to ignore the signs of dullness, and at the first need to start sharpening the chainsaw chain. This will allow you to use it for a long time.

Taking into account the material from which the teeth are made

Most chainsaw chains use high-alloy chromium-nickel steel to make the cutting teeth.

Therefore, when purchasing a new copy, you should only visually check the quality of manufacturing of the cutting elements and their sharpening. However, to use the tool when processing particularly hard, frozen or heavily contaminated materials, it becomes necessary to harden the teeth. For such purposes, options are offered, on the teeth of which special carbide brazing is made.

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Oregon Stihl chain sharpening angles

The sharpening angle of chainsaw chains is not a constant value and does not depend on the manufacturer or model of equipment. It is selected taking into account the specific tree to be dealt with. Select some average value, but the cutting efficiency may be ineffective. Therefore, you need to choose the right value when taking a specific type of wood seriously.

If we are talking about hard wood, including all trees that have been “frozen” for a long time, it has the highest resistivity. Based on these reasons, the sharpening angle should be reduced. This will virtually avoid the occurrence of vibrations, and the chain will move more smoothly. Small value – 25°.

Why does the chain break?

The owner of a chainsaw may have to face a problem such as a rupture of the saw blade. If this happens, it is necessary to find out the causes of the breakdown.

Most often, the main reason is unfavorable external factors:

tension beyond measure;
wear of the guide bar or discrepancy between the shanks and the width of the working groove;
operation of the saw set under high loads for a long time;
overheating of the part due to lack of lubrication;
the part does not match the tire type and drive sprocket crown configuration.

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PowerSharp system

This system allows you to sharpen the chain in a few seconds, without even removing it from the bar. The set includes a PowerSharp chain, an abrasive bar,

and sharpening device. In order to sharpen a chain with it, it is useful to take the following 3 steps:

install the PowerSharp bar and chain;
fasten the beam inside the sharpening device, after which it is installed on the tire;
The end of the chainsaw is rested on some object and started for a couple of seconds.

Modern way

If the teeth are very sharp and the cutting blade has lost its shape, then smoothing them by hand will take a lot of time. Stihl 180, chainsaw chain sharpening video, chain sharpening kit stihl 5605 007 1027 saw chain sharpening, saw chain sharpening, chainsaw chain sharpening. In this case, they usually use a manual machine or an electronic one with a sharpening wheel. The first type of device looks like a bow saw with a round file. The machines are stationary and mobile, which can be installed directly on the tire.

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They begin to adjust the required characteristics from the smallest tooth. After all the teeth are sharpened and aligned, the round file is replaced with a thin one to sharpen the stops.

The advantage of electronic machines is that the disc is placed directly under the blade being sharpened. In addition, the quality of sharpening in this case is guaranteed and all teeth will be of the same size.

The video below shows an example of sharpening a chainsaw with your own hands using an electronic machine.

The blades are always sharpened first, and only later the stops.

The sharpening angle can be changed - this depends on the intended purpose. For cutting hard wood, use the smallest angle, and for soft wood, use a larger angle. Sharpening a chainsaw chain, then turn the chainsaw 180 degrees when sharpening is complete. how to properly start a calm 180 sharpening and straightening a chainsaw chain sharpening a chain. In any case, it should be from 25° to 35°. A 10° angle is used for chains designed for longitudinal cutting.

This is the most common and smoky method for sharpening chain teeth. Still, the method is not bad when sharpening is done in an area in the forest. Why don’t you constantly transport a whole machine in person?! However, here it is worth being more precise - it is not supposed to be any tool, but a whole set, which includes:

thin ratfil;
round ratfil;
sample.

They do their duties. The main purpose of the flat tool is to sharpen the depth gauge.

The round ratfil already performs the main operation, making the cutting edges sharper. At the same time, each chain requires a certain tool diameter:

pitch ¼ inch - 4 mm;
pitch 0.325 – 4.8 mm;
3/8 inch pitch – 5.2.4 mm;
pitch 0.404 - 5.5 mm.

For Picco chains, which are equipped with Stihl 180 chainsaws with pitches of 3/8 and a quarter of an inch, a ratfil with a diameter of 4 mm is also suitable. It is important to hold it correctly. With respect to the vertical plane, the ratfil must be positioned strictly perpendicular to the chain, and with respect to the horizontal plane - at a small angle (about 30°). A specific sharpening angle is selected depending on the needs, but at 25-35°.

As opposed to sharpening a chainsaw chain on a machine, the angle here can be set using a template, which is considered a useful assistant. For this purpose, it is equipped with 2 slots: SOFT/S (for soft wood) and HARD/H (for hard wood). The template should be secured above the chain, which gives it the benefits of a limiter.

Just keep in mind that this method is not intended for permanent implementation, but serves only as a way to straighten the blades. The very frequent use of ratfil after some time leads to wear of the chain, and the teeth themselves will be sharpened unevenly.

In fact, every non-professional is worried about the question, what is the angle of sharpening the chainsaw chain on the machine? It is impossible to use a ratfil all the time, it is difficult to use an angle grinder, and this procedure is completely unsafe for beginners. There’s nothing you can do about it; you have to use machines that will be both mechanical and electronic.

You will have to work for an “eternity” with a manual machine, but you get pleasure from using an electronic analogue. There are now a variety of models to choose from that provide

correct sharpening angle;
level of work properties;
Highest sharpening speed.

It should also be noted that sharpening is done moderately on all links. What remains for our client to do, what is necessary, is to turn on the equipment to the network, set the required angle, enjoy the spectacle, or get down to business. The price of such machines varies from 4.5 to 4 thousand rubles. However, the most important thing is that it will not be difficult to find the sharpening angle of the Shtil chainsaw chain on the machine.

Although fiddling around with manual equipment is a very long process, it costs several times less. In appearance, the machine resembles a bow saw, only instead of a blade there is a round file. A smaller tooth is also taken into the base. At the same time, 2 or 3 movements are enough for sharpening, then of course move on to the next link. If it is necessary to process the limiter, the ratfil is changed (round is replaced by flat).

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How to sharpen a chainsaw chain with your own hands

Now let’s actually look at all the direct ways by which you can produce high-quality, and most importantly, correct sharpening of the chain itself located on the chainsaw. So.

Using an ordinary grinder

Most owners avoid this method of directly sharpening the chain, as they believe that such a tool can seriously damage the cutting teeth. Moreover, this method is the most difficult of all existing today. Such fears are not, as they say, taken out of thin air, since in fact, a chainsaw can cause harm, especially if you are a beginner in this matter.

It is for this reason that if you are going to carry out this kind of manipulation for the first time, the best thing you can do is to use the method presented above. But, nevertheless, we will still introduce you to the immediate features of a chainsaw using this method.

And so, during the sharpening process, you should not remove the chain from its place, since the manipulation is carried out on a chainsaw. It is also important that it is necessary to use a special disk that can work with metal material and the diameter of which must be at least 2.5 mm. But remember that under no circumstances should the disk be new, but rather used and have rounded edges.

It is also important that you yourself can determine the immediate angle through which sharpening . Remember that between the chain and the bottom of the tire you need to install a wedge, namely a wooden one. This process requires direct skills. This is a very effective method and through this type of sharpening the chain can last you from 4 to 7 such manipulations.

Correct sharpening using a manual machine

Every owner who has been using a chainsaw for a long time knows that not all chains can be sharpened using a file. For example, if the chain cutting edge, through frequent use of the tool, has simply lost its original shape, then in this case, you are unlikely to be able to bring it back to life; at least, such a process will take you not only a lot of time, but and strength.

That is why the best way is to directly use the machine. They are either electric or manual, equipped with either sharpening wheels or a sharpening stone. This kind of method may not be a new product, but nevertheless it is quite effective and accurate.

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Now let’s actually get acquainted with the process of such sharpening itself. The first thing you should do is to directly loosen the chain clamp adjustment screw. After which you need to install the chain itself in such a position that the links that are on it are turned directly to the sharpening stone.

Then decide on the actual angle at which sharpening . It is important that this kind of “turning” can be done using two methods. Namely:

The first method is sequential sharpening, which consists in the fact that you need to act on each tooth separately, while periodically changing the immediate polarity;

The second method involves sharpening, but only every second tooth. For example, first you sharpen the right tooth, and then the left. It is worth noting that this method does not involve a direct change in polarity.

Bulgarian is not a bad candidate

Professional woodcutters consider this method primitive and labor-intensive. It is used in the very last case, since it is impossible to fix the grinder on the template. Therefore, it is very difficult to achieve control over maintaining a constant sharpening angle and depth.

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The tire is firmly fixed in a vice to prevent its mobility during operation. There is no need to attach a new cutting disc to the grinder; it is better to use an old circle 1.5-2 mm wide.

It is better for newcomers not to use this method at all - they will be safer. There is a risk of causing severe injury to yourself. In addition, there is no way to do this without the ability to work with similar equipment.

Sharpening a chainsaw chain with a file

Processing teeth with a file is not particularly difficult; it is much more important to choose the right tool with the right diameter.

In this case, the main factor that determines the order of the entire event is the functional features of the chain web itself.

The most popular chain sizes and suitable tools:

blade thickness 1.3 mm is processed with a file with a cross-section of 4 mm;
thickness 1.6 mm - straightened with a file with a diameter of 5.2 mm;
Processing of the depth limiter is carried out with a flat file.

Use a clamp to securely hold the tire in position.

Another useful tool is a pattern. This element is equipped with hinges, with which the device can be easily moved along the saw blade.

The pattern must first be secured at the required angle, and then the entire work process will become easier and more convenient, in addition, the risk of potential errors will disappear.

Correct tool position for manual processing

It is also worth considering the fact that on the blade, in addition to the cutting teeth, there is a limiter designed to ensure that the sharp parts of the saw fit tightly into the wood.

This method is one of the most accessible, but the process is labor-intensive and requires a certain perseverance from the performer.

How to properly sharpen a blade with your own hands, popular video

How to properly sharpen a saw chain with a file

The main advantage of this method is its cost-effectiveness, since, in fact, the file is quite inexpensive. Moreover, it is most likely that this kind of tool is in the arsenal of any owner. But it is worth noting that not every file can be suitable for sharpening, since it, first of all, or rather its diameter, must correspond to the width of the chain itself. To make it easier for you to navigate, here are the following indicators:

Sharpening rules

Similar areas of each link must be subjected to uniform processing. Otherwise, if there is an excessive selection of metal in any one area, then this ultimately leads to an imbalance, uneven movement and jerking during the operation of the chainsaw. The load on the mechanism increases several times, which again threatens to break the chain.

Therefore, the operation should be carried out at the desired angle of sharpening the chain of the Shtil 180 chainsaw (as well as any other tool) with special care, avoiding unnecessary force. The procedure itself is done one by one, in other words, you need to start with one positive thing and then finish with another.

Sometimes there is an option to monitor whether one cutting edge (or several) is sharpened more sharply. This happens when the chain hits a knot on its own path, which occurs when cutting hard wood. Then we need to find which of the teeth has been ground down than just all of them and use it to equalize what remains for our client to do other links.

When sharpening is completed, you should blow the chain with air from a compressor or pump, and then place it in a container with engine oil for a short time. Usually not everyone does this, but it is useful for the chain.

Selection by depth of cut

Depth of cut (depth of cut) is an important characteristic of a chainsaw that determines its performance. The depth of the cut is determined by the parameters of the cutting tool, i.e. the height of the chain tooth profile. Increasing the tooth height leads to an increase in cutting depth per pass, which increases sawing speed. It should be noted that increasing the height of a tooth reduces its strength characteristics and requires increased effort when sawing wood.

Saw chain structure.

In a conventional chainsaw chain, such a characteristic as tooth height is determined by the profile and parameters of the cutting depth limiter, which is installed on any working tooth. In a new circuit, this parameter is set by the manufacturer. The user can change the height of the tooth by grinding the stopper, but this operation should be treated with caution.

Chains are commercially produced with two tooth profile heights - 0.635 mm and 0.762 mm. The chain with a smaller tooth height is called low-profile, the second is called high-profile. For household chainsaws, low-profile ones are mainly used. Chainsaws with high profile chains require increased effort during operation and have increased vibration.

Useful tips

Some useful tips will help keep the equipment in working order and eliminate the risk of injury. Of course, you need to know the correct sharpening angle for the Shtil chainsaw chain. However, timely tire care is important:

You need to keep the chain tension under control. Especially if the chainsaw tilts to one side during operation. Poor tension can be dangerous to humans.
Sharpening in a timely manner, without delay, will last a long time for our client. Even if it is expensive, alas, it is better to give preference to electrical equipment.
Frequently lubricate the entire chain, otherwise it may fly off (its speed is about 100 km/h). Who will draw their own conclusions?
Do not use used auto oil in any other way, any product of unknown properties. You should only choose special lubricants. As the best remedy - autol.

Before you start working with a chainsaw, the chain should be broken in. Let it run at low speed for 40-50 seconds. The lubricant will reach every part, and the chains with the sprocket will heat up a little and rub against your loved one.

It is harmful to ignore these professional tips if you want to remain safe and sound!

To the end of the note

The sharpening angle of chainsaw chains is selected taking into account the type of wood that needs to be cut. If you have the time and desire, restoring the functionality of the equipment will not be difficult for you. Even an amateur who has worked as a ratfiler at least once in his life can cope with the service. Naturally, for this purpose you will have to spend from 30 to 700 rubles to purchase a sharpening set. The approximate price for chain sharpening services at any company is 200-300 rubles. The final choice is up to the woodcutter.